At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop embedded C++ software for high-reliability communication systems in defence environments.
- Company: Join ALTEN, a global leader in engineering and technology consultancy.
- Benefits: Enjoy a personalised career path, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with ongoing learning and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Contribute to cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Strong C++ skills and experience in embedded systems required.
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. Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world today.
Join our team to develop embedded C++ software for high-reliability communication and information-exchange systems used in defence environments. You’ll contribute to next-generation communication and signal-processing technologies, working across embedded platforms that demand robustness, security, and deterministic performance. This role is ideal for an engineer experienced in embedded C++ who enjoys contributing to complex systems that underpin secure and mission-critical operations.
Location: Crawley
On-site: 4 days per week
Seniority: Senior (8+ years of experience)
Clearance: Candidates must be willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, implement, and maintain embedded C++ software for real-time communication and signal-processing systems.
- Develop and support software for embedded communication modules, modems, and RF-adjacent components.
- Conduct debugging, optimisation, and performance testing across embedded targets to ensure reliability under operational loads.
- Produce clear and traceable design specifications, requirements, and documentation aligned with regulated development practices.
- Ensure adherence to secure coding standards, governance policies, and safety-critical development procedures.
- Support integration activities with wider engineering teams and contribute to architecture and design reviews.
Qualifications:
Required Skills:
- Strong proficiency in C++ for embedded systems (C++11/14/17).
- Experience in embedded development for communications or signalling systems (modems, radios, data links, or similar).
- Familiarity with embedded debugging, performance optimisation, and hardware-software interaction.
- Understanding of secure coding practices, configuration management, and development governance.
- Experience with requirements traceability, verification, and system-level testing.
Soft Skills & Collaboration:
- Strong communication skills for cross-discipline collaboration.
- Ability to work rigorously within regulated environments.
- Proactive, problem-solving mindset with attention to detail.
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 communication stacks, DSP concepts, or RF-adjacent technologies.
- Familiarity with embedded Linux or RTOS environments.
- Experience with CI/CD tooling, model-based design, or static analysis tools.
- Background in defence, avionics, or secure-systems engineering.
Why join us?
We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies. At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals. Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.
In short you get:
- 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)
We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and 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. 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.
Senior Embedded Software Engineer in Crawley employer: Alten Ltd
ALTEN is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where engineers are empowered to innovate and tackle complex challenges in cutting-edge projects. Located in Crawley, employees benefit from a personalised career path, ongoing learning opportunities, and a supportive environment that values diversity and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, ALTEN offers comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance, life insurance, and a flexible working approach, making it an ideal place for talented individuals to thrive and contribute to meaningful advancements in technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Embedded Software Engineer in Crawley
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Alten Ltd or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Alten Ltd.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Alten Ltd.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Alten Ltd that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Embedded Software Engineer in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Alten Ltd.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Alten Ltd and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alten Ltd
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Alten Ltd uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
