Lead Software Engineer - Automotive & Electrical Drive systems

Lead Software Engineer - Automotive & Electrical Drive systems

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
ARCA Resourcing Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and development of embedded software for electric drive systems.
  • Company: Join a cutting-edge scale-up in the automotive tech space.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on next-gen electric drive technologies and lead a talented team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in embedded software development and team leadership required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Location: Norwich

Permanent | Hybrid / 3-4 days onsite per week

ARCA Resourcing is proud to partner with an innovative high-tech scale-up at the forefront of next-generation electric drive systems for automotive and mobility applications. This is a key leadership opportunity for an experienced Lead Software Engineer to take ownership of embedded software development across complex electric drive systems, shaping both technical direction and team delivery. You will play a pivotal role in defining architecture, driving software quality, and leading engineering activity across the full development lifecycle.

Working at the heart of a multidisciplinary engineering environment, you will guide a talented software team while collaborating closely with systems, hardware, controls, and validation engineers to deliver robust, high-performance automotive solutions.

The Opportunity

You will lead the design and development of embedded software spanning base software, application layers, motor control, power electronics control, charging systems, diagnostics, and real-time vehicle functions. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with team management and delivery ownership, ensuring software is designed, built, integrated, and validated to the highest standards in a safety-critical automotive environment. A strong focus is placed on structured development processes, ASPICE-aligned delivery, and continuous improvement across tools, workflows, and engineering practices.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and development of embedded software for electric drive systems, including BSW, application software, motor control, charging, DC-DC control, diagnostics, and system functions
  • Define and maintain software architecture aligned with system and product requirements
  • Lead, organise, and mentor software engineers, promoting best practice in development, planning, and documentation
  • Define software tools, methods, and processes, and lead key technical decisions aligned with ASPICE principles
  • Oversee the full software lifecycle from requirements through implementation, verification, validation, and release
  • Drive delivery of software milestones through effective planning, tracking, documentation, and change control
  • Develop and review high-quality embedded software using model-based development, auto-code generation, and C/C++ as appropriate
  • Support control algorithm development and ensure software meets performance, safety, and reliability targets
  • Lead software integration with embedded hardware platforms and system architectures
  • Collaborate with systems, hardware, and test teams to define requirements, interfaces, and integration strategies
  • Support validation activities including bench testing, HIL, dynamometer testing, and system verification
  • Lead root cause analysis, system debugging, and corrective action implementation
  • Define and oversee software verification and validation strategies, ensuring full traceability across requirements, code, and test
  • Lead software reviews and ensure compliance with coding standards, quality processes, and development guidelines
  • Manage day-to-day software team activity, supporting technical development and delivery performance
  • Drive continuous improvement across software processes, tools, CI/CD, testing, configuration management, and documentation
  • Support compliance with relevant industry standards including ISO 26262, ASPICE, and MISRA C
  • Contribute to future product concepts and system strategy for electric drive technologies

Key Skills & Experience

  • Strong background in embedded software development for automotive or electric drive systems
  • Experience with motor control, inverter control, DC-DC systems, diagnostics, and real-time embedded software
  • Proven ability to lead and mentor software engineering teams in a delivery-focused environment
  • Strong understanding of software architecture and hardware/software integration
  • Experience across the full software lifecycle: requirements, design, implementation, verification, validation, and release
  • Hands-on experience with software testing strategies including unit, integration, HIL, and system-level testing
  • Strong planning, organisation, documentation, and delivery management capability
  • Working knowledge of ISO 26262, ASPICE, MISRA C, and functional safety principles
  • Strong collaboration skills across multi-disciplinary engineering teams
  • Excellent problem-solving ability with a balance of performance, robustness, and maintainability

Why Apply? This is a high-impact leadership role where you will shape both the software architecture and the engineering capability behind next-generation electric drive systems. You will have real influence over technical direction, team growth, and product delivery in a fast-moving, innovation-driven environment.

Lead Software Engineer - Automotive & Electrical Drive systems employer: ARCA Resourcing Ltd

Join a pioneering high-tech scale-up in Norwich, where you will lead the development of cutting-edge embedded software for electric drive systems in the automotive sector. With a strong emphasis on innovation and collaboration, this role offers a dynamic work culture that fosters professional growth and continuous improvement, alongside competitive benefits and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance.

ARCA Resourcing Ltd

Contact Details:

ARCA Resourcing Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer - Automotive & Electrical Drive systems

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the automotive and software engineering fields. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

Tip Number 2

Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best projects, especially those related to embedded software and electric drive systems. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical questions specific to embedded software development and automotive systems. Practice explaining your past projects and how they align with the role you're applying for. Confidence is key!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer - Automotive & Electrical Drive systems

Embedded Software Development
Motor Control
Inverter Control
DC-DC Systems
Real-Time Embedded Software
Software Architecture
Hardware/Software Integration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Lead Software Engineer role. Highlight your background in embedded software development and any leadership experience you've had, as this is key for us.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about electric drive systems and how your expertise aligns with our needs. This is your chance to show off your personality and enthusiasm for the role!

Showcase Relevant Projects:If you've worked on projects related to motor control or real-time embedded software, make sure to mention them! We love seeing practical examples of your work that demonstrate your capabilities.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at ARCA Resourcing Ltd

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your embedded software development knowledge, especially in automotive and electric drive systems. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, particularly those involving motor control and real-time functions.

Show Leadership Skills

Since this is a leadership role, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led and mentored teams in the past. Highlight your experience in driving software quality and managing delivery across the full development lifecycle.

Understand the Standards

Familiarise yourself with industry standards like ISO 26262 and ASPICE. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these principles in your previous roles, as this will show your commitment to safety and quality in software development.

Collaborate and Communicate

This role requires collaboration with various engineering teams. Prepare to talk about how you've effectively communicated and worked with cross-functional teams in the past, ensuring that everyone is aligned on project goals and requirements.