Overview
As a Principal Software Engineer, you will lead the development of safety-critical airborne software in a multidisciplinary team. You will influence engineering decisions and shape robust embedded solutions for Zephyr-based stratospheric systems. You’ll contribute across the full software lifecycle, collaborating with systems, hardware, test and flight operations to deliver high-integrity software. This senior IC role emphasizes deep technical delivery, mentoring, and continuous improvement in a demanding domain. You will work near product teams to drive meaningful impact in the Stratospace program.
Pay / Benefits
- short-term incentive plan
- 25 days holiday
- private medical insurance
- dental and optical cash back
- personal pension plan
- income protection and life assurance
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, test and maintain embedded software for airborne systems (C primary; C++/Python where needed).
- Contribute across requirements, architecture, design, implementation, integration, verification and certification support.
- Collaborate with systems, hardware, test and flight operations teams to diagnose issues and deliver aircraft-level outcomes.
- Lead and participate in software architecture discussions, reviews, and engineering best practices.
- Support software integration, debugging, test automation and process improvement.
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers to raise capability and delivery quality.
- Assess new tools and technologies to improve quality, reliability or productivity.
Key requirements
- Significant hands-on software engineering experience (~10+ years) with embedded or real-time systems.
- Experience taking airborne software through the full DO-178C lifecycle and supporting certification activities.
- Strong C programming skills; practical experience in C++ and Python.
- Solid understanding of software architecture, design trade-offs, debugging and verification in safety-critical environments.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and translating complex issues into clear options.
- Collaborative, pragmatic approach with mentoring capability while delivering hands-on work.
- Familiarity with DO-330, DO-331, DO-332, DO-333, ARP4754A/B, DO-278, DEF STAN 00-55/00-56 is beneficial.
- collaborative
- pragmatic
- mentoring
- embedded/real-time software
- DO-178C lifecycle
- C, C++, Python
Principal Software Engineer in Farnborough employer: AALTO HAPS
AALTO is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Farnborough where innovation meets aerospace excellence. As part of Team AALTO, you'll enjoy a culture that values collaboration and creativity, alongside comprehensive benefits such as private medical insurance, generous holiday allowances, and a personal pension plan. With opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to employee well-being, AALTO is dedicated to unlocking your potential while you contribute to pioneering advancements in Stratospace.
