Software Engineer

Software Engineer – Contract – Hampshire (Hybrid) – £65/h

Role Overview:
This position sits within the Systems and Software function of the Programmes division, where the Senior Software Engineer will contribute to the full lifecycle of software solutions—from initial requirement gathering through to deployment and ongoing support.
The individual in this role will provide expert guidance and leadership across software engineering projects, ensuring deliverables meet internal standards and customer expectations. This includes overseeing code quality and conducting technical assessments, as well as mentoring team members during the execution of key software development activities.
The engineer will also play a role in evaluating and integrating new technologies to support innovation, product evolution, and research initiatives, while continuing to maintain and support legacy systems when needed.
Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day planning and coordination of tasks within a small software development team
• Deliver design updates and new features via structured change management processes
• Promote continuous enhancement of software engineering tools, practices, and frameworks
• Manage and monitor software delivery tasks, ensuring adherence to best practices and procedural standards
• Provide technical oversight and direction to project contributors during deployment and implementation stages
• Contribute software-specific expertise to proposal development and contract negotiations
• Refine and enforce software-related policies, workflows, and procedural documentation
• Collaborate with stakeholders and customers to align technical solutions with operational requirements
• Identify and explore new business development opportunities through software innovation

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent practical experience) in a computing or software-related discipline
• Solid programming experience using C++, C#, Java, and front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.)
• Familiarity with embedded systems development, including use of Linux, scripting (bash/shell), and GUI frameworks like Qt/QML
• Strong background in software architecture, including end-to-end lifecycle development and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) methodologies
• Demonstrated ability in setting up and maintaining development environments incorporating version control, bug tracking, project coordination tools, and automated testing pipelines
• In-depth understanding of software lifecycle models, with a focus on quality assurance and traceability from requirements through to deployment
• Knowledge or experience with scalable cloud-based data solutions is advantageous
• Proven capability to collaborate effectively with a range of technical and non-technical stakeholders across departments and external partners

Additional Information
All candidates must be in a position to obtain UK security clearance to SC level.