Overview
This is a very hands‑on role and requires the continued design and development of complex system architectures and the instantiations for future products. Perfect for a Software Engineer who is proactive and takes the initiative. Clear communication skills, and commitment to maintaining quality will contribute to your success in this role. We offer an encouraging working environment with the opportunity to develop your skills across a wide range of products and technologies. Our team develops software to test, and to be used in some of the most advanced weapon systems in the world within a critical and influential Software Engineering Directorate. We apply small, focused teams of engineers to complex problems – you will be working with a dedicated group of experienced software and systems engineers. We maintain an impactful team culture.
Location & Working Conditions
Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom – 100% on site. Dynamic hybrid working: mostly office based due to workload classification, with opportunities to work from home.
Security & Clearance
Security clearance required: British Citizen or Dual UK National with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. All successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) after offer.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop real‑time test and capture software on Linux systems using C++.
- Integrate and interface with high‑speed SFPDP cards across multi‑channel data pipelines.
- Architect and implement robust, scalable, and maintainable multi‑threaded applications.
- Define and implement data sequencing and synchronisation logic to support deterministic capture and replay.
- Work with hardware teams to ensure seamless integration and timing alignment between software and capture cards.
- Lead and contribute to system integration, verification, and testing at both component and system levels.
- Conduct performance analysis, debugging, and optimisation of real‑time systems.
- Document architecture, interface definitions, and test procedures to support handover and formal test activities.
- Develop and maintain software in a Linux environment working closely with high‑speed multi‑channel SFPDP cards, real‑time data flows, and complex multi‑threaded processing pipelines.
- Ensure high quality through proactive communication, commitment to maintaining standards, and peer reviews.
Qualifications
- Proficient in C++ and with knowledge of C#.
- Experience in C++ development in a Linux environment.
- Proficiency in C# for tooling, test interfaces, or Windows components as needed.
- Proven experience working with real‑time data systems, preferably involving SFPDP or other high‑speed digital protocols.
- Demonstrable skills in multi‑threaded and concurrent programming.
- Experience with low‑level I/O, DMA, or driver‑level interactions with PCIe cards or similar.
- Familiarity with software sequencing frameworks or custom state machines for test execution.
- Strong experience with integration, system test, and debugging complex interactions between software and hardware.
- Strong understanding of software design principles, memory management, and performance optimisation.
- Experience with version control systems (Git) and CI/CD pipelines.
Desirable Skills
- Experience with SFPDP (Serial Front Panel Data Port) specifically in defence, aerospace, or data acquisition contexts.
- Knowledge of FPGA‑based data acquisition systems and synchronisation methods.
- Familiarity with unit testing frameworks, automated test rigs, or hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HWIL) setups.
- Experience developing or integrating with real‑time operating systems (RTOS) or using real‑time Linux extensions.
- Experience developing with LabVIEW suite of packages would be an advantage.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: Circa £65,000 depending on experience.
What we can offer you:
- Company bonus: up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
- Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
- Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
- Flexi Leave: up to 15 additional days
- Flexible working: we welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
- Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave – enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
- Facilities: fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more
- Healthcare Cash Plan: the Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.
