At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop high-reliability software for complex remote systems.
- Company: ALTEN, a global engineering consultancy shaping the future of technology.
- Benefits: Personalised career paths, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse projects, ongoing learning, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and work on exciting, impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in Java and Python, with a background in safety-critical systems.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
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.
As a Backend Software Engineer you will join our team in London and be responsible for designing, building, and supporting high-reliability software platforms used to supervise and control complex, remote systems. The role focuses on developing core operational software, supporting data flows, and creating automation that improves efficiency, robustness, and repeatability.
Location: London
On Site: 2x a month
Clearance: SC clearable
Experience Level: Mid - Senior
- Design, enhance, and support a central operational control platform, ensuring it meets performance, reliability, and operational requirements.
- Develop new backend software components using Java and Python to support monitoring, control, and data management capabilities.
- Contribute to the development of operational subsystems, including:
- File transfer and management workflows for large or critical datasets
- Automated ingestion, storage, and retrieval of structured and unstructured data
- Workflow automation to support data processing, analysis, and control preparation
- Collaborate closely with systems and requirements engineers to ensure traceability, consistency, and sound technical design.
- Diagnose, troubleshoot, and optimise critical services to ensure readiness for live operations.
- Produce clear documentation, configuration artefacts, and operational procedures to support long-term maintainability.
- Participate in technical design reviews, implementation discussions, and operational readiness assessments.
- Strong hands-on development experience with Java and Python.
- Solid understanding of software engineering best practices, including testing strategies and technical documentation.
- Experience building or supporting distributed, safety-critical, or operationally sensitive systems.
- Comfortable working in Linux-based environments using modern development and build toolchains.
- Experience within Aerospace, Defence and Space industries.
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.
- Experience working with relational databases, including schema design or integration with backend services.
- Familiarity with control, monitoring, or command pipelines in complex operational environments.
- Exposure to data transport standards, structured telemetry processing, or control-system architectures.
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.
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 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.
Linux Software Engineer in London employer: ALTEN
ALTEN is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where talented engineers are empowered to innovate and tackle complex challenges. Located in London, employees benefit from a diverse range of engineering projects, ongoing learning opportunities, and a supportive management style, all while enjoying a flexible working environment and comprehensive benefits such as private medical insurance and a personalised career path.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Linux Software Engineer in London
✨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 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.
✨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.
✨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 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 Linux Software Engineer in London
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.
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 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
✨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 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.
