Salary: £90,000 - 130,000 per year Requirements: We are looking for a track record of technically leading complex software deliveries. We require excellent programming skills in C++ or Rust. We want experience of modern end-to-end software engineering workflows, including requirements management, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. We value experience integrating AI-assisted tools into development workflows without compromising quality, security, or compliance. We are looking for experience developing for Linux, ideally with exposure to industrial computing platforms, single-board computers, or real-time environments. We want a leader who enjoys delivery and helps the engineers around them perform better. We need someone comfortable operating in ambiguous environments and making decisions with incomplete information. We expect excellent communication skills, with confidence in code reviews, client meetings, and one-to-ones with junior engineers. We are looking for strong academic foundations, typically a first-class degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics from a leading university. Experience in defence or national security is a strong advantage. Responsibilities: We lead the delivery of complex software projects. We work alongside other leads to set direction for the defence function. We stay hands-on by setting technical direction, designing software, and writing code where needed. We mentor engineers across a range of experience levels. We plan and estimate delivery, manage technical debt, and make pragmatic trade-offs between speed, quality, and long-term maintainability. We work directly with clients to shape requirements, manage expectations, and build trust. We run code and design reviews, set the quality bar, and hold the team to it. We embed strong testing practices in the teams workflow, from unit testing through to integration and acceptance testing. Technologies: AI Linux Network Rust Security C++ More: We are a highly successful and fast-growing technology consultancy building data, AI, and software solutions for clients across a broad range of industries, tackling demanding problems in challenging environments. This is a hands-on principal software developer role focused on C++ and Rust, where you will lead a team of 6 to 12 engineers while staying close to the code and helping shape how we build and grow as a team. We offer high-impact work, a flat structure, a small and growing team, strong training and career development opportunities, and a Newcastle base with international exposure across our global office network. Our benefits include 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, matching pension contributions up to 6%, private health insurance through Bupa, and a discretionary bonus. The role is based in Newcastle upon Tyne. last updated 21 week of 2026