C++ Software Engineer in Chester

World Class Defence Organisation based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire is recruiting a C++ Software Engineer subcontractor on an initial 12 month contract, with a very likely extension. The role is onsite 4 days per week (Monday to Thursday).

Contract details:

• Rate: £67.00 per hour.
• Overtime Rate: Hours over the standard 37 hours per week are paid at time and a quarter.
• Location: Stevenage.
• Hybrid / Remote: Onsite 4 days per week (Monday to Thursday).
• Duration: 12 months with a very likely extension.
• IR35 status: Inside IR35 (Umbrella).
• Interview process: One stage video interview.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop real-time test and capture software on Linux systems using C++.
• Interface with high-speed SFPDP cards across multi-channel data pipelines.
• Architect and implement robust, scalable, and maintainable multi-threaded applications.
• Define and implement data sequencing and synchronization logic to support deterministic capture and replay.
• Collaborate with hardware teams to ensure seamless integration and timing alignment between software and capture cards.
• Lead and contribute to system integration, verification, and testing at component and system levels.
• Perform performance analysis, debugging, and optimization of real-time systems.
• Document architecture, interface definitions, and test procedures to support handover and formal test activities.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Extensive experience in C++ development in a Linux environment.
• Proficiency in C# for tooling, test interfaces, or Windows components as needed.
• Proven experience with real-time data systems, preferably involving SFPDP or other high-speed digital protocols.
• Strong multi-threaded and concurrent programming skills.
• Experience with low-level I/O, DMA, or driver-level interactions with PCIe cards or similar.
• Familiarity with software sequencing frameworks or custom state machines for test execution.
• Strong integration, system test, and debugging capabilities for software–hardware interactions.
• Solid understanding of software design principles, memory management, and performance optimization.
• Experience with version control (e.g., Git) and CI/CD pipelines.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with SFPDP in defence, aerospace, or data acquisition contexts.
• Knowledge of FPGA-based data acquisition systems and synchronization methods.
• Familiarity with unit testing frameworks, automated test rigs, or hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) setups.
• Experience developing or integrating with real-time operating systems (RTOS) or real-time Linux extensions.