Senior Software Engineer
Salary: £75,000–£90,000
Location: UK-wide (Hybrid / On-site options available)
Working Pattern: Full-time
This position requires valid UK work eligibility. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
The Opportunity
Our client is a leading organisation in the UK defence sector who has multiple Senior Software Engineer openings, spanning a range of technical specialisms and project areas. As their engineering capability continues to grow, they are seeking experienced and highly capable engineers to help deliver secure, complex, and mission-critical software systems.
These roles give you the opportunity to work on impactful defence projects that push the boundaries of digital engineering in the UK. The environment is fast-paced and technically demanding, but the impact of the work is significant and highly tangible. You’ll be exposed to new approaches, technologies, and ideas on a regular basis, so a willingness to step outside your comfort zone and embrace continuous learning is essential.
As a senior engineer, you’ll influence architecture, tackle challenging technical problems, and contribute to the delivery of robust, scalable systems that support vital national programmes.
What You’ll Do
* Lead the design, development, and maintenance of software components across high-performance and mission-critical systems.
* Own the full software lifecycle, from architecture and design through to implementation, testing, and release.
* Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver secure, reliable, and innovative solutions.
* Champion engineering best practice, including Agile, DevOps, CI/CD, and automation.
* Provide mentorship, technical oversight, and support to other engineers within the team.
* Drive continuous improvement by exploring and adopting new technologies, tools, and methodologies.
What We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from senior engineers with strong technical foundations and expertise in:
Core Programming Skills
* Any of C, C++, C#, Java, Python or similar
* Embedded, real-time, or systems-level development
Engineering Practices & Tooling
* Strong experience with Git-based version control
* CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, Terraform, or similar)
* Agile or Scrum delivery environments
* Automated testing, TDD, or system testing frameworks
Desirable Experience
* Cloud platforms (AWS or Azure)
* Containerisation & Infrastructure as Code (Docker, Terraform)
* Web frameworks such as .NET / ASP.NET, React, Angular, Vue.js, Node.js, Spring Boot, Django, or Flask
* Scripting (Bash, Shell, or PowerShell)
* Networking, security, and systems integration
* High-performance or simulation software
* Model-based or simulation-driven development
* Experience influencing architectural decisions or mentoring engineering teams
* Prior experience in defence, aerospace, or other safety-/security-critical environments (advantageous)
If you’re motivated by solving complex engineering challenges and want to work on systems with genuine real-world impact, this could be the ideal next step.
What’s on Offer
* Competitive salary
* Flexible and hybrid working options
* Excellent pension contribution scheme
* Additional leave and work–life balance initiatives
* Ongoing training, professional development, and clear career progression
* Access to modern facilities and collaborative engineering environments
About the Roles
These positions sit at the heart of our client’s advanced engineering programmes, supporting the development of next-generation defence technologies. You’ll have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge tools, contribute to innovative solutions, and help build secure, intelligent, and highly connected digital systems.
Interested?
If you're an experienced engineer ready to take on a senior role in the defence sector, we’d love to hear from you.