Lead Software Engineer - C, Unix Stockport - Hybrid £70,000 - £85,000 Overview We are hiring a Lead Software Engineer to join a specialist engineering team in Stockport. This is a premium role offering up to £85,000, with a strong benefits package, and the opportunity to lead a team of 3-4 engineers working on real-time, mission-critical systems. The role focuses on C programming in a Unix/Linux environment, optimising software for high-performance industrial automation solutions. The ideal candidate will have experience in low-level systems development, multi-threading, and performance optimisation. Key Responsibilities Lead a team of 3-4 software engineers, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and code reviews. Develop and maintain C-based software applications for Unix/Linux systems. Work on real-time and high-performance software used in industrial automation. Implement CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and performance optimisation. Collaborate with DevOps, infrastructure, and cloud teams to enhance software deployment. Integrate software with databases (SQL, PostgreSQL, NoSQL) and industrial control systems.Essential Skills & Experience Strong C programming experience in a Unix/Linux environment. Experience leading or mentoring a team of 3-4 engineers. Expertise in multi-threading, memory management, and performance tuning. Proficiency with version control (Git, GitHub, GitLab). Knowledge of scripting languages (Python, Bash) for automation. Experience with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps). Background in real-time systems, industrial automation, or embedded development.Desirable Skills C++ experience for real-time or performance-critical applications. Familiarity with networking protocols and low-level system programming. Experience with Docker/Kubernetes for containerised applications. Exposure to cloud environments (AWS, Azure). Strong background in automated testing frameworks (Selenium, Robot Framework, PyTest, JUnit). Knowledge of industrial automation (PLC, SCADA, IoT, Industry 4.0).Benefits Hybrid working (2-3 days in Stockport office). Private healthcare, pension (5-10% employer contribution). Training & development budget for upskilling in automation, cloud, or DevOps. Career progression opportunities within a global automation leader. Lead Software Engineer - C, Unix - Stockport - Hybrid - £70,000 - £85,000