Principal Software Engineer – Embedded Systems | Defence Tech | Southampton (On-Site)
Southampton | Permanent | Up to £80k + Benefits | VC-Backed Scale-Up (Series B, £3.Are you a senior embedded engineer looking to step into a high-impact technical leadership role?
Join a cutting-edge engineering scale-up developing mission-critical technology for the defence, security, and emergency response sectors.
Lead the design and development of complex embedded software systems across Linux and RTOS platforms
Architect and integrate software with advanced hardware (sensors, FPGAs, RF systems, DSPs)
Drive quality through CI/CD automation, testing frameworks, and scalable design principles
Collaborate across engineering, hardware, and product teams to deliver innovative solutions
Mentor engineers, contribute to sprint planning, and help define technical strategy
10+ years’ experience in embedded software development (C/C++, Linux, RTOS)
~ Strong knowledge of device drivers, low-level systems, and real-time performance optimisation
~ Experience with hardware/software integration — ideally with FPGAs, DSPs, or sensor systems
~ Proficiency in Python, Git, Docker, and CI/CD tooling (Jenkins, GitLab CI etc.)
~ Eligible for SC (Security Check) clearance
✅ Bonus Points For
Exposure to video/image processing, RF systems, or radiation detection
On-site in Southampton (collaborative hardware/software environment)
Be a technical leader in a growing, well-funded deep tech company
Join a high-calibre engineering team that values autonomy, rigour, and mission-first thinking