Senior Embedded Software Engineer
// Role Summary
QinetiQ is seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer for their Ashford site to develop cutting-edge defence technology. This role involves full-lifecycle development of real-time, safety-critical systems and mentoring junior engineers.
// Key Responsibilities
- Full-lifecycle embedded software development in C.
- Experience with real-time, safety-critical systems.
- Work with bare-metal and RTOS-based platforms.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers.
- Opportunity to work on complex defence projects.
- Requires eligibility for SC clearance.
// Role Specification
About the Role
Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we are creating tomorrow's defence technology and ground-breaking innovations to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Senior Embedded Software Engineer at our Ashford site, where you will work with cutting-edge technology alongside brilliant minds.
As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer, you will own the embedded software development for complex products, managing the process from initial requirements through to implementation, testing, and in-service support. You will take a senior technical role within project teams, contributing to design decisions, supporting junior engineers, and modernising legacy systems with contemporary approaches.
Your day-to-day activities will involve full-lifecycle embedded software development, primarily focused on real-time, safety-critical systems written in C and running on bare-metal and RTOS-based platforms.
Responsibilities:
- Designing, implementing, and testing embedded software from requirements to production release.
- Working on both new product development and the maintenance of existing products, including system upgrades and modernisation.
- Producing and maintaining high-quality technical documentation in line with internal processes.
- Supporting system integration, fault diagnosis, and issue resolution across software and hardware.
- Providing technical guidance and mentoring to mid-level and junior engineers.
- Supporting field trials and test activities in the UK and overseas as required.
Essential Experience:
- Strong experience developing embedded software in C for real-time systems.
- Experience working close to hardware, including low-level drivers and interfaces.
- Proven ability to deliver work across the full product lifecycle.
- Experience diagnosing and resolving complex technical issues in embedded systems.
- Strong attention to detail with a calm, methodical approach to problem-solving.
- Experience working with version control systems such as Git.
Essential Qualifications:
- Degree in Software, Electronic Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
We value difference and welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and education, provided you demonstrate the required level of experience and a willingness to learn.
Location and Working Hours:
This role is based at our Ashford site, working 37 hours per week. A minimum average site attendance of three days per week is required.
Set working hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM and Friday 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM.
Occasional travel to testing ranges and customer sites will be expected.
About Ashford Site:
The Ashford site is home to QinetiQ Target Systems, combining design, manufacturing, testing, and trials support. This offers engineers the opportunity to experience the full product lifecycle, from concept and design to live operational use.
Why Join QinetiQ?
Join QinetiQ at an exciting time of growth and innovation. We are known for our appetite for innovation and our courage in tackling complex challenges. You'll experience a unique working environment where collaboration across different backgrounds and disciplines is encouraged. We foster a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued, and realise your full potential.
Benefits:
- Matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance.
- Generous holiday allowance with the option to purchase additional days.
- Options for Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance, and Dental Insurance.
- Employee discount portal offering savings on personal accident insurance, travel insurance, restaurants, cinema tickets, and more.
- Support for the Armed Forces community, including honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
- Volunteering opportunities with charities and the local community.
Recruitment Process:
We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in assessments, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.
Many roles at QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting. Applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it. Some roles may have additional restrictions related to nationality or previous nationalities.
All applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum.