C++ Firmware Engineer in Bedford

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement and support sustainable transformation.

Join our team to develop advanced firmware for next‑generation autonomous underwater systems used in complex maritime environments. You’ll work on low‑level C++ development, hardware integration, and embedded debugging to ensure reliability, robustness, and mission‑critical performance. This is an opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge underwater robotics programmes where your engineering directly impacts operational capability.

Location: Bedford – On‑site: Hybrid (3 days per week)

Seniority & Clearance: 5+ years of experience. Candidates must be willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, test, and maintain C++ firmware for autonomous underwater platforms.
• Interact closely with hardware teams to integrate sensors, actuators, and embedded electronics.
• Debug firmware and interpret schematic and hardware‑level data.
• Use Linux, Python, and Bash for scripting, test automation, and tool creation.
• Support embedded integration into wider robotic control, autonomy, and communication systems.
• Participate in code reviews, documentation, and continuous improvement.
• Apply good practice for mission‑critical environments, with awareness of DO‑178 processes and regulated development.

Qualifications – Required Skills:

• Strong experience with C++ for embedded or firmware development.
• Hands‑on experience with Linux, embedded debugging tools, and scripting (Python, Bash).
• Understanding of firmware–hardware interaction, boards, and low‑level drivers.
• Ability to interpret electronic schematics and hardware documentation.
• Experience working with integrated systems involving sensors and embedded comms.

Soft Skills & Collaboration:

• Strong communication skills for working with electronics, systems, and mechanical teams.
• Excellent analytical and debugging capability in fast‑paced engineering environments.
• Proactive, structured, and quality‑driven approach aligned to regulated systems.
• Comfortable collaborating in multi‑disciplinary, hands‑on lab settings.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.
• Must be eligible to hold or already hold UK SC Security Clearance.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with FPGAs and VHDL.
• Exposure to RTOS environments (FreeRTOS, VxWorks, ThreadX, etc.).
• Familiarity with safety or mission‑critical standards (e.g., DO‑178, MISRA).
• Experience in underwater systems, robotics, or defence environments.
• Knowledge of embedded sensors, autonomy modules, or maritime comms protocols.
• Use of Git, CMake, or CI/CD tooling.

Benefits:

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style.
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Cycle & Tech Scheme.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme.
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings.
• Flexible way of working (role dependent).

Equal Opportunity & Security Clearance: We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.