Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Winfrith, Dorset (hybrid working, 3 days per week onsite) - Permanent vacancy

We are looking for a Principal Embedded Software Engineer to work for our maritime defence client TKMS Atlas across a range of new projects, such as underwater vehicle control systems and sonar equipment. You will be hired as an experienced engineer to play a senior technical hands-on role in the team, with the potential to take on team leadership responsibility should you wish to. This role combines hands-on expertise with the potential for strategic leadership, establishing the processes, tools, and engineering culture required to deliver high-quality embedded solutions across multiple technologies.

Requirements:

• Strong embedded C/C++ development skills.
• Skilled at defining engineering processes and guiding teams in their application.
• Ability to generate clear specifications, architectures, verification plans and test procedures.
• Proven ability with current microcontrollers and SoC technologies and trends.
• Strong documentation and technical communication skills tailored to internal and external audiences.
• Ability to select the most appropriate technology based on requirements, risk, cost and time.
• Background delivering to safety-related standards (e.g., SIL, ASIL).
• HNC/HND or degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent.

Behavioural requirements:

• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for engineering outcomes.
• Professional and confident communicator with suppliers, customers and internal stakeholders.
• Effective problem solver with a focus on risk reduction and pragmatic decision-making.
• Collaborative team player who encourages knowledge-sharing rather than competition.
• Adaptable, able to work to a plan while managing change effectively.
• Motivated, supportive leader with a track record of developing others.
• Able to maintain a productive, positive and continuous-improvement-focused working environment.

Key accountabilities may include:

Technical Leadership & Capability Building

• Establish, grow and lead an embedded software engineering capability covering microcontrollers and SoC systems.
• Provide technical authority, governance and oversight across all embedded development activities.
• Define, develop and maintain robust engineering processes, workflows and best-practice guidelines.
• Build shared, reusable modules and libraries to enable quicker, lower-risk delivery on future projects.
• Grow the team's design and verification toolsets in line with business strategy.

Project Delivery

• Lead the planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting of embedded software work packages.
• Scope, estimate and review engineering effort to support bids, proposals, and change requests.
• Translate customer and system requirements into clear, maintainable software specifications.
• Develop preliminary architecture concepts and oversee the creation of detailed designs.
• Define verification strategies, validation plans, and test cases, ensuring traceability to requirements.
• Produce high-quality documentation including design descriptions, verification reports, and release records.
• Ensure engineering deliverables meet internal quality standards, compliance requirements and safety standards (e.g., SIL, ASIL).

Collaboration & Cross-Discipline Integration

• Foster strong collaboration between software, firmware, and hardware engineering teams.
• Enable knowledge-sharing and cross-functional development while maintaining specialist expertise.
• Support smooth integration between embedded software and hardware platforms.

People Leadership

• Mentor, coach and develop embedded engineers at all levels.
• Participate in recruitment, selection and onboarding of new team members.
• Manage tasking and provide oversight for internal engineers and specialist contractors.

Additional information:

The successful candidate must be able to achieve full SC (Security Clearance), however you will be able to start on a BPSS with SC pending.

JBRP1_UKTJ