At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop cutting-edge software for high-altitude aircraft systems.
- Company: Join AALTO, a pioneering Airbus subsidiary in Stratospace technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and more.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for mentorship and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace by solving complex engineering challenges.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in software engineering with strong C, C++, and Python skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: Farnborough
Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent
Hours: 37 – Hybrid
AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace, is an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates, and delivers services with its solar-powered, stratospheric platform: Zephyr. Zephyr’s persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time. AALTO operates in a new operational layer between most of air traffic and low-Earth orbit, Stratospace, delivering services to commercial and government partners.
About The Role
We’re looking for an experienced, hands-on Principal Software Engineer to take a senior technical role within a multidisciplinary team developing safety-critical aircraft software. You’ll design, develop, verify and maintain embedded software primarily in C, with C++ and Python also part of the engineering toolkit. Working across the full software lifecycle, you’ll collaborate with systems, hardware, test, certification and flight operations colleagues to solve aircraft-level problems and deliver high-integrity software in line with rigorous safety and quality expectations.
Responsibilities to include:
- Design, develop, test and maintain embedded software for airborne systems, primarily using C, with C++ and Python where appropriate.
- Contribute across requirements, architecture, detailed design, implementation, integration, verification and certification support.
- Work closely with systems, hardware, test and flight operations teams to diagnose issues, make sound technical decisions and deliver aircraft-level outcomes.
- Lead and contribute to software architecture discussions, technical reviews, code reviews and engineering best practice.
- Support software integration, debugging, test automation and continuous improvement of development processes.
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to other engineers, helping the team build capability and confidence.
- Assess new tools, methods and technologies where they can improve quality, reliability or productivity.
Skills and Knowledge Required
- Significant hands-on software engineering experience, ideally around 10 years or more, with a strong background in embedded or real-time systems.
- Experience taking airborne software through the full DO-178C lifecycle and supporting aircraft certification activities.
- Strong C programming skills, with practical experience in C++ and Python.
- Sound understanding of software architecture, design trade-offs, debugging and verification in safety-critical or highly regulated environments.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary engineering teams and translating complex technical issues into clear options and decisions.
- A collaborative, pragmatic approach, with the ability to mentor others without losing sight of hands‑on delivery.
- Familiarity with related standards and guidance such as DO-330, DO-331, DO-332, DO-333, ARP4754A/B, DO-278, DEF STAN 00-55 or DEF STAN 00-56 would be beneficial.
Why this role?
You’ll join a team tackling technically challenging problems where software quality, engineering discipline and real-world impact matter. In addition to an attractive market-aligned salary, we offer:
- Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.
- Enjoy Your Time Off: Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.
- Stay Healthy: We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.
- Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.
- Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.
- Getting around: Drive the latest vehicles with our discounted salary sacrifice scheme.
- We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.
- Perks Galore: Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, from household goods to travel!
Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution.
Principal Software Engineer employer: AALTO
AALTO HAPS Ltd. is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment where employees can thrive in their careers. With a strong focus on professional growth, competitive benefits including a flexible work schedule and a pension plan, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, AALTO fosters a culture of collaboration and excellence. Located at the forefront of aerospace technology, employees have the unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking projects that redefine connectivity in the stratosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with AALTO for a Principal Software Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at AALTO, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At AALTO, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at AALTO
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with AALTO.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with AALTO. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like AALTO love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
