About this role
Salary: £65,000 - 85,000 per year
Requirements: Strong software engineering background in C++ on Linux; Qt/GUI experience is a bonusExperience setting up and improving software processes, including Git workflows, code review, testing and release managementArchitecture-first, modular mindsetContainerisation experience, ideally Docker on LinuxVerification and validation experience, ideally with real-time or mission-critical softwareBackground in complex products, preferably in a regulated domain such as defence, aerospace, medical or automotiveSome people leadership experience, formal or informal, alongside technical leadershipWillingness to travel occasionally within the UK and internationallyEligibility for SC clearance; you do not need to hold it already Responsibilities: Lead software and systems within our R&D team, bringing structure to existing practices while maintaining paceDefine and establish how code is written, reviewed, merged, tested and releasedOwn Git and repository governance across the department, including branching, reviews, merging and releasesDrive a modular architecture with clearly defined interfaces to support code reuse across our product rangeIntroduce verification and validation at module level as well as system levelReview colleagues code, using authority and diplomacyLead and mentor our software and systems teamWork closely with physicists, controls engineers and electronics engineersShape the technical roadmap, including the GUI stack and containerisation, and longer-term plans for more connected, secure and updatable systemsHand clean, validated and traceable work over to engineering for productionWrite and ship code hands-on initially, with coding expected to decrease as the team grows Technologies: DockerGitSupportLinuxQt More:
We design and build complex defence systems. Our R&D team of around eight engineers works three to five years ahead of live programmes, exploring future customer requirements, and we are now growing the team. This is a newly created leadership role with scope to shape how the department develops software and build the team. The work includes real-time computation, sensor data and physics-heavy systems, with collaboration across disciplines and a director who actively supports modernising our approach. The position is on-site in Norfolk, with a salary of £65,000–£85,000 and flexibility above or below that range for exceptional candidates. Defence experience is not required.
last updated 41 week of 2026