Principal Software Engineer

Company: Ultra Intelligence & Communications

Cyber (UK) Business

Powering Decision

Join the team redefining defense technology. From engineering systems that save lives to leading programs that change the battlefield—find your place in the future of defense.

Cyber Business

Our Cyber business unit is at the forefront of pioneering advanced cryptographic and key management solutions, facilitating the confidential exchange of vital information for customers operating at both tactical and strategic echelons. Join our team and participate in the innovation that ensures the highest security and trust worldwide.

The Ultra Engineering function manages a portfolio of specialist capabilities, generating highly differentiated solutions and products by applying electronic, mechanical, and software technologies in demanding and critical environments to meet customer needs.

The Software Engineering function in Ultra supports the software development lifecycle consisting of requirements analysis, design, implementation, test and verification in order to deliver software components into projects and products and supports the deployment and maintenance of software components.
A professional at this grade applies technical / professional knowledge, making independent judgements based on practice and significant previous experience to support decision making. Often seen as a referral point or more senior team member to escalate more complex problems. Roles will act independently with minimal guidance, and may act as project managers/formal mentors for junior staff.

Scope

Provide technical leadership and define, architect, design, develop, document and test embedded and/or application software as part of a software engineering team of 5-20 engineers, within the Cyber UK Business Unit, delivering multiple concurrent research, development and production programmes ranging from tens of £k to several £m. Line management of up to 5 software engineers.

Responsible for / Key responsibilities

• Architect, specify requirements, design, implement and test embedded and/or application software in accordance with the project software development process to ensure high quality and timely software deliverables.
• Apply object-oriented design techniques to enable code re-use and integration with testing frameworks
• Review and understand system design artefacts to enable the derivation of software requirements and architecture that meet the high-level system requirements.
• Design, document, review and maintain the software design using modelling tools such as RSA and EA, ensuring model can be used for accurate code generation as required.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of best practice development processes, language standards and tools, e.g. TDD/BDD, Continuous Integration, DevSecOps, static and run-time analysis tools, C++ standards and secure software development.
• Estimate time and effort required for software activities and deliver to these time and effort estimates to ensure cost and schedule adherence.
• Contribute to the Software Community of Practice by proposing improvements in tools, processes and techniques that support quality and innovation and make the software development more efficient and effective.
• Actively contribute to and/or lead defined aspects of the project to achieve optimal balance between requirements, schedule and cost.
• Generate and review technical proposals, and provide accurate estimates for the associated effort, costs and risks, for bids and proposals, leading to contract awards.
• Mentors and coaches less experienced engineers; shares knowledge willingly and constructively.
• Reviews and signs off significant technical documents; frequently chairs technical reviews for significant deliverables.
• May have between 0 and 4 direct reports.
• Explains technically complex concepts clearly to less technical/involved parties.
• Manage security of information as defined in the Security manual to ensure compliance with Government regulations.
• SFIA Programming / software development: Level 2-4
• SFIA Programming / software development: Level 5
  • Takes technical responsibility across all stages and iterations of software development.
  • Plans and drives software construction activities. Adopts and adapts appropriate software development methods, tools and techniques.
  • Measures and monitors applications of project/team standards for software construction, including software security.
  • Contributes to the development of organisational policies, standards, and guidelines for software development.

Role requirements

• Willing and able to obtain, and maintain, SC security clearance.
• Willing and able to obtain, and maintain, DV security clearance (following attainment of SC clearance).

Qualifications / skills required

• Essential:
  • Degree in an engineering, mathematical or science-based subject or equivalent experience.
  • Significant experience of at least one of the following;
    • Embedded product development (including bare-metal and RTOSes such as ThreadX, QNX or Linux)
    • Embedded Linux application, kernel and/or driver development.
    • C and C++
  • Significant experience of best practice software development processes/lifecycles
  • Experience of Object-Oriented Design and Design Patterns such as SOLID
  • Experience of software testing and design for test
• Desirable:
  • Master’s degree in an engineering, mathematical or science-based subject or equivalent experience.
  • Rust
  • Javascript, node.js, react.js
  • Communications protocols – e.g. TCP/IP
  • Experience of using version control, continuous integration and automated test tools and frameworks
  • Exposure to defensive coding techniques and standards such as MISRA
  • Advanced knowledge of software engineering practices, methodologies, processes, techniques and technology trends
  • Experience of DOORS, RSA, Enterprise Architect, UML and SysML

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Notice

Due to the nature of the programs we deliver for our customers, candidates may need to obtain the relevant security clearance or handle export-controlled material as defined by the role's requirements. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance for the role. Due to the nature of our work, you must be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. For more information, please visit the UKSV website.

Our Benefits

Every employee is critical to our success, and as such, we offer a range of flexible employee benefits, including:

• Participation in an Annual Bonus Scheme

• Private Medical Cover

• 25 days’ holiday (plus Bank Holidays) with the option to buy an extra 5 days

• Pension Contribution

• 4 x Life Assurance Cover

• Flexible working hours with opportunity for a 1pm finish on a Friday

• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme, will writing and more

• Security Clearance Allowance – where relevant and subject to you holding the required security clearance

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement