Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software Engineer – Flight Systems, Space Technology

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.