Software Architect

Software Architect

Rochester Full-Time 60000 - 85000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead software architecture design and provide expert guidance across multiple projects.
  • Company: Join BAE Systems, a leader in defence innovation and radar technology.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, competitive pension, health perks, and shopping discounts.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a diverse, inclusive culture that values your potential.
  • Qualifications: Experience in programming, software development lifecycle, and a degree in a related field required.
  • Other info: Flexible work options available; accessible location with transport links.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 85000 £ per year.

Job Title: Software Architect

Location: Isle of Wight – Cowes or Portsmouth – BroadOak

Salary: Up to £85,700 depending on skills and experience plus bonus scheme. Part time & accruing hours available’ Please let us know if you would like to discuss these options.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Provide Software Subject Matter Expertise: Working across multiple projects with various programming languages, architectures, and lifecycle models, offering specialist technical advice and guidance to peers and projects
  • Define and Develop Architectural Artefacts: Creating, assessing and reviewing software and data processing architectures to meet software and system requirements and support future re-use of software, ensuring alignment throughout the engineering lifecycle
  • Establish and Maintain Design Processes: Enhancing transformational activities and tools used to develop and manage software design artefacts, ensuring robust, resilient, scalable and secure middleware and applications architectures on modern hardware
  • Ensure Toolchain Compliance and Integration: Collaborating with DevOps to ensure tools are licensed, OSS-compliant, interoperable, and integrated into the build process
  • Lead Technical Governance: Conduct peer reviews, leading technical design reviews, verify and sign off software designs, and uphold Maritime Services’ software processes
  • Promote Continuous Improvement and Knowledge Sharing: Supporting skills development within the team, maintain awareness of industry trends, and ensure architectural awareness of Security, and Safety Integrity Levels (SILs)

Your skills and experiences:

  • Extensive experience with at least one high-level programming language and a high-level design methodology such as UML
  • Deep understanding of the software development lifecycle and familiarity with various models, including Agile and Waterfall
  • Proven experience in leading software development activities and mentoring engineering teams
  • Solid knowledge of relevant software standards (e.g. ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207), including software safety and Safety Integrity Levels (SIL)
  • Comprehensive understanding of configuration management practices and tools. Strong Technical Background, Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related numerate discipline, with Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards it

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Future Radar team:

Join us in shaping the Future of Radar Technology. We are evolving our radar portfolio by enhancing our existing products and developing brand-new radar products to address emerging and future threats in the realm of Future Air Dominance. With strong collaboration from our customers and investment in talent, our strategy is to keep the UK at the forefront of defence innovation.

As the Software Architect you will act as the technical focal point and design authority, developing and maintaining software architectures that meet challenging complex Radar requirements. Using modern operating systems, tools, and design patterns, you will create robust, resilient, scalable and secure middleware and application layers for hardware. You’ll leverage both licensed and open-source tools, ensuring compliance with OSS guidance, and work with the wider team to ensure a smooth implementation, integration and test process.

Our workplace in Cowes is an easily accessible commute from Southampton with a regular foot passenger ferry and BAE shuttle service from the ferry terminal to site.

As the world has evolved, so has the way we work. Our working approach, will enable you to have flexibility with your working hours, depending on your role and location. This could include accruing hours as well as flexibility around start and finish times, ensuring you can balance life at work, on site and life at home.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

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.

Closing Date: 22nd August 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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Software Architect employer: BAE Systems

BAE Systems is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of inclusivity and innovation, particularly in the dynamic field of radar technology. With flexible working arrangements, competitive benefits including a pension scheme and health plans, and a commitment to employee development, you will thrive in an environment that values your contributions and supports your professional growth. Located in Cowes, easily accessible from Southampton, this role offers the unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects while enjoying a balanced work-life integration.
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Contact Detail:

BAE Systems Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Software Architect

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific programming languages and design methodologies mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience with UML and any high-level programming languages during networking opportunities or interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Engage with online communities or forums related to software architecture and development. This can help you stay updated on industry trends and best practices, which is crucial for a role that promotes continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with various software development lifecycle models, especially Agile and Waterfall. Be ready to provide examples of how you've led teams or projects using these methodologies.

✨Tip Number 4

Research BAE Systems' current projects and initiatives, particularly in radar technology. Understanding their goals and challenges will allow you to tailor your discussions and demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Software Architect

High-level programming languages (e.g. Java, C++, Python)
UML (Unified Modeling Language)
Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
Agile and Waterfall methodologies
Technical leadership and mentoring
Software safety standards (e.g. ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207)
Safety Integrity Levels (SIL)
Configuration management practices and tools
Architectural design and assessment
Middleware and application architecture
DevOps collaboration and toolchain integration
Technical governance and peer reviews
Continuous improvement and knowledge sharing
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with high-level programming languages and design methodologies like UML. Emphasise any leadership roles you've had in software development and mentoring, as these are key for the Software Architect position.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for software architecture and how your skills align with the job description. Mention specific projects where you’ve developed architectural artefacts or led technical governance to showcase your expertise.

Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your understanding of the software development lifecycle, including Agile and Waterfall models. Provide examples of how you've ensured toolchain compliance and integration in past roles.

Showcase Continuous Improvement: Demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing. Mention any initiatives you've taken to support team skills development or how you've kept up with industry trends, particularly in security and safety integrity levels.

How to prepare for a job interview at BAE Systems

✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise

As a Software Architect, you'll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of programming languages and design methodologies. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've applied your skills, particularly in high-level design and software development lifecycles.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Architectural Artefacts

Understand the types of architectural artefacts you may be asked to create or review. Be ready to explain how you've previously defined and developed these artefacts, ensuring they meet system requirements and support future re-use.

✨Discuss Your Leadership Experience

Highlight your experience in leading software development activities and mentoring teams. Prepare examples of how you've conducted peer reviews and led technical design reviews, as this will be crucial for the role.

✨Stay Updated on Industry Trends

BAE Systems values continuous improvement and knowledge sharing. Be prepared to discuss recent trends in software architecture, security, and safety integrity levels (SILs) that could impact your work and the industry as a whole.

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