Software Team Leader

Join BAE Systems and be part of a global network pioneering progress and protecting what matters most. You’ll be trusted to deliver advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace, and security solutions, shaping a safer future.

Job Description

You will lead software engineering delivery for complex, safety-critical defence systems, owning outcomes from planning through to integration and acceptance. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with team leadership, ensuring high-quality software is delivered predictably against project milestones. You will shape how work is delivered, grow and support engineers, and provide clear technical oversight across your work packages. Working closely with project management, systems engineering, and adjacent teams, you will influence priorities, manage dependencies, and help drive successful delivery of mission-critical capability.

Core Duties:

• Provide technical and people leadership for software engineering teams delivering safety-critical systems within the Rochester business.
• Own the end-to-end planning and delivery of software work packages, with accountability for scope, schedule, budget, risks, and technical dependencies, proactively managing trade-offs to meet programme objectives.
• Build, sustain, and evolve software teams with the right blend of skills and experience, ensuring capability and capacity align with current delivery needs and future programme demands.
• Maintain clear delivery oversight, including progress tracking and financial assurance, to support accurate and predictable reporting.
• Collaborate closely with systems, project, and discipline leads to align technical delivery with programme objectives.

Essential Skills:

• Proven experience leading and developing software engineering teams delivering complex or safety-critical systems.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, assign, and deliver work packages while balancing technical quality, schedule, and cost.
• Practical experience across multiple stages of the software lifecycle, such as requirements, design, implementation, integration, and verification.
• Working knowledge of relevant engineering tools (e.g. DOORS, Siemens Polarion, CAMEO) and programming in C/C++ and/or Assembler, with scripting in Python.
• Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline such as Software Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace, Physics, or Mathematics.

The Software Team:

You will join a collaborative software engineering team delivering safety-critical defence systems. The team works closely with systems and project functions to provide technical oversight and predictable delivery. You will be supported through structured learning and development, with opportunities to broaden your experience across programmes and progress into senior technical or leadership roles.

Why BAE Systems?

Build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and be proud of the difference you make.

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.