Senior Software Engineer – Secure Systems & Advanced Cyber (Farnborough)
Work on real-world engineering challenges that directly contribute to the UK’s defence and national security.
We’re looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join a small, highly capable team developing next‑generation secure systems across embedded platforms, advanced cyber, and secure communications.
If you enjoy solving hard technical problems, working across multiple technologies, and influencing real products (not just writing code to a spec), this is the kind of environment where you’ll thrive.
What you'll be doing:
You’ll join a multidisciplinary engineering group that designs, prototypes, and delivers high‑assurance hardware–software solutions used in some of the most demanding security environments in the UK.
You’ll work on projects from early-stage research through to released products, giving you the opportunity to explore, innovate, iterate, and take real ownership.
This includes:
* Designing, developing and testing secure software across the full lifecycle
* Working on a broad technical landscape including:
* Bare‑metal & embedded systems
* Embedded Linux (applications, kernel & drivers)
* Signal processing & data analysis
* Desktop, Linux and mobile GUI development
* Developing across multiple programming environments (Rust, C/C++, Python, web frameworks)
* Interfacing with hardware including FPGAs, electronics and mechanical systems
* Rapid prototyping and maturing proof‑of‑concepts into robust, high‑reliability solutions
* Collaborating with systems, hardware, security and software engineers in an Agile environment
* Producing clear design, implementation and test documentation
* Ensuring compliance with secure development standards and government regulations
You’ll have variety, impact, autonomy — and the ability to shape real products that protect critical national infrastructure.
What you'll bring:
You don’t need to tick every box. We’re looking for people with strong fundamentals, curiosity, and the ability to work across different domains.
Essential
* Degree (or equivalent experience) in Engineering, Computer Science, Maths, or similar
* Commercial or project experience in at least one of:
* Embedded Linux (apps, kernel or drivers)
* C / C++ or Rust development
* Solid understanding of software engineering lifecycles and industry best practice
* Experience with object‑oriented design and design patterns
* Experience designing and implementing test strategies
Desirable (nice to have, not required)
* GUI frameworks: GTK, eGUI, Tauri
* Yocto, Petalinux, U‑Boot
* Python, MATLAB, Jupyter Notebooks
* Web tech: HTML, JavaScript, TypeScript, React
* Mobile (Android / iOS)
* Communications protocols (TCP, QUIC, Wi‑Fi)
* Software‑Defined Radio / GNU Radio
* FPGA or low‑level hardware interfaces
* UML, Enterprise Architect or similar tools
Location & Clearance:
* Farnborough (Hybrid) — typically 3 days on site depending on project stage
* Due to the nature of the work:
* Candidates must already hold UK SC clearance
* Must be eligible for DV clearance
Why this role stands out!
Engineering really matters
Performance, security and reliability aren’t ‘nice to haves’ — they’re fundamental.
Your work has national‑level impact
You’ll contribute to systems that protect the UK and support critical defence operations.
You get variety, not silos
Embedded, Linux, Rust/C++, hardware interaction, prototypes, productisation — no two weeks are the same.
Small teams = real influence
You’ll be listened to. You’ll shape solutions. You’ll see your work deployed.
Interested?
Click Apply — even if your CV isn’t up to date.
We’re happy to have an informal conversation about the role, the projects, and the environment.