At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of embedded software for electric drive systems.
- Company: Innovative high-tech scale-up in electric drive systems for automotive applications.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of electric drive technology and lead a talented team.
- Qualifications: Experience in embedded software development and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Norwich
Permanent | Hybrid / Onsite 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 in Norwich employer: ARCA
Join a pioneering high-tech scale-up in Norwich, where you will lead the charge in developing cutting-edge embedded software for electric drive systems. With a strong emphasis on innovation and collaboration, this role offers a dynamic work culture that fosters professional growth and encourages continuous improvement. Enjoy the benefits of a hybrid working model, competitive remuneration, and the opportunity to make a significant impact in the automotive industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer - Automotive & Electrical Drive systems in Norwich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the automotive and tech industries. Attend meetups, webinars, or even local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to embedded software and electric drive systems. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical questions specific to embedded software and automotive systems. Practice explaining your past projects and how they relate to the role. Confidence is key, so get comfortable talking about your experience!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer - Automotive & Electrical Drive systems in Norwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience with embedded software development, especially in automotive or electric drive systems. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about electric drive systems and how your leadership experience can benefit our team. Let us know what makes you the perfect fit for this role.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your technical skills relevant to the job description, like your experience with motor control, software architecture, and safety standards. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their hands-on experience!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at ARCA
✨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 your experience with motor control, diagnostics, and real-time software. This will show that you’re not just a leader but also technically savvy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led and mentored teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you drove software quality or improved processes. This role is all about leadership, so demonstrating your ability to guide a team will be crucial.
✨Understand the Full Lifecycle
Familiarise yourself with the entire software lifecycle from requirements to release. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed each phase, particularly in a safety-critical environment. Highlighting your experience with ASPICE principles will definitely give you an edge.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Since this role involves working closely with various engineering teams, think of examples where you successfully collaborated across disciplines. Emphasise your communication skills and how you’ve defined requirements and integration strategies in past projects.
