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- Tasks: Lead the development of cutting-edge flight software for space missions.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing, employee-owned space tech scale-up with a culture of excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a salary up to £65,000, flexible working, and 36 days’ annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on space technology while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong embedded software engineering background and excellent C programming skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and ongoing learning.
The predicted salary is between 46800 - 78000 £ per year.
Does the idea of working at the forefront of the space industry excite you? Bright Purple are hiring for a leading UK-based space technology scale-up, with a 10+ year history of developing software used on real spacecraft missions worldwide. Its products help organisations develop reliable, reusable flight software more quickly, using modern engineering approaches. The business is employee-owned, growing rapidly, and driven by a strong culture of technical excellence, collaboration and long‑term thinking. Don’t worry - you do not require prior space or satellite experience. The skills we are looking for are those of a senior embedded software engineer, industry‑agnostic!
What is in it for you:
- Salary up to £65,000
- Flexible working with the occasional visits to Edinburgh office
- 36 days’ annual leave
- 6% employer pension contribution
- Health cash plan, life assurance and enhanced sick pay
- Employee ownership and a genuine voice in the business
- Ongoing investment in learning, development and conferences
- A supportive, inclusive culture where your work directly impacts space missions
The Role:
This is a senior, hands‑on technical leadership role with responsibility for a flagship flight software product used across multiple space missions. You’ll guide its technical direction, influence future product development, and work closely with engineers, customers and commercial teams to ensure the software continues to meet demanding real‑world needs. Alongside product ownership, you’ll lead and develop a team of flight software engineers, setting technical standards, supporting career growth and creating an environment where high‑quality engineering thrives.
Must‑Have Skills & Experience:
- Strong background in embedded software engineering, with significant professional experience
- Excellent C programming skills, including work on embedded platforms (e.g., ARM‑based systems)
- Solid understanding of operating systems, multitasking and low‑level hardware interaction
- Experience leading technical design and solving complex engineering problems
- Comfortable working across the full software lifecycle, from requirements to delivery
- Experience working in a Linux‑based development environment with version control and CI principles
- Ability to communicate clearly, lead by example and support the growth of other engineers
- Confident communication skills
Please APPLY NOW with your most up‑to‑date CV for consideration. Bright Purple is an equal opportunities employer: we are proud to work with clients who share our values of diversity and inclusion in our industry.
Lead Software Engineer in Edinburgh employer: Bright Purple
Contact Detail:
Bright Purple Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the space tech industry on LinkedIn or at meetups. 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 showcasing your best projects, especially those related to embedded software engineering. 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 your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice common interview questions and be ready to discuss how you've solved complex engineering problems in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our awesome team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your embedded software engineering background and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior role, it's important to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've guided teams or influenced technical direction in past roles. We love seeing candidates who can lead by example!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to describe your experience and skills. We appreciate clarity and want to understand your journey without any fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and we’ll be able to review your application quickly. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bright Purple
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your embedded software engineering skills, especially C programming. Be ready to discuss your experience with ARM-based systems and how you've tackled complex engineering problems in the past.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, think of examples where you've successfully guided others or set technical standards. Prepare to share how you foster collaboration and support the growth of your team members.
✨Understand the Full Software Lifecycle
Be prepared to talk about your experience across the entire software lifecycle, from requirements gathering to delivery. Highlight any specific projects where you’ve implemented version control and CI principles in a Linux-based environment.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. This role requires strong communication skills, so be ready to demonstrate how you can lead by example and effectively convey technical concepts to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders.
