Senior Embedded Layer2-3 Network Protocol Lead

Working within the defence sector, our client is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Layer 2-3 Link and Network Protocol Software Lead to join our growing team. The role offers an exciting opportunity to work in a cross-layer development team to take forward and develop emerging technologies, enabling a new generation of secure, interoperable, and resilient defence hardened, military off the shelf (MOTS) C5 hardware solutions and products, aligned with defence end user requirements. The work will involve classified elements and will require candidates to obtain UK security clearance.

As Layer 2-3 Lead, you will work in a multidisciplinary delivery team, steered by Chief Scientist and Chief Engineer. You will be responsible for implementing, testing, and supporting acoustic protocol developments in this new family of products. You will implement emerging Layer 2 (link) and Layer 3 (network) acoustic protocols and support future development and innovations to align these protocols with defence end user tactical communication requirements. You will develop and help specify cross layer interfaces to support advanced link and network layer capabilities including adaptive and directed beamforming, adaptive modulation, adaptive media access control (MAC) strategies, and advanced hybrid ARQ methods.

Main tasks and duties:

• Innovative Protocol Development: Drive the design, development, and implementation of new and emerging networking protocols for Layer 1-3, tailored to ultra-challenging domains such as tactical, high-latency, and bandwidth-constrained environments.
• Shaping Standards: Contribute to the definition and evolution of next-generation acoustic communication standards, enabling the development of secure, efficient, and cutting-edge technologies.
• Performance Optimization: Build high-performance, low-latency solutions optimized for real-time and mission-critical applications in dynamic and constrained settings.
• Challenging Channel Solutions: Develop robust and adaptive protocols capable of overcoming noise, interference, and unpredictable conditions in environments such as wireless, satellite, and battlefield communications.
• Testing and Validation: Devise and execute test plans to evaluate protocol performance, reliability, and interoperability under extreme operating conditions.
• Multiplatform Build and Deployment: Develop, test, and deploy code using multiplatform build tools (e.g., CMake, Bazel) and deployment pipelines that ensure cross-platform compatibility and efficient capability delivery.
• Cybersecurity Integration: Ensure protocols meet stringent security requirements, implementing innovative techniques to protect sensitive data against emerging threats.
• Collaboration and Innovation: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including researchers, engineers, and industry experts, to ideate and refine groundbreaking solutions.
• Documentation and Dissemination: Create detailed design and implementation documentation and contribute to knowledge sharing within the team and broader industry forums.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Active security clearance or the ability to obtain one (must be eligible under government or defence sector requirements).
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Expertise in programming languages like C, C++, and/or Rust, with a focus on low-level networking development, preferably against defence related requirements.
• Strong understanding of networking concepts, including Layer 1-3 fundamentals, and a passion for creating innovative solutions beyond existing standards.
• Proficiency in multiplatform build and deployment tools such as CMake, Bazel, Make, or Ninja, and version control systems like Git.
• Proficiency in developing and applying tools for embedded system performance analysis and debugging.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated experience in tackling secure and reliable communication challenges in constrained environments, such as tactical networks or satellite systems.
• Ability to conceptualize and prototype entirely new protocol designs to address emerging operational needs and unique communication challenges.