Technical Lead Flight Software (Embedded systems) in Edinburgh
Technical Lead Flight Software (Embedded systems)

Technical Lead Flight Software (Embedded systems) in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Full-Time 60000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of spacecraft flight software and mentor a team of engineers.
  • Company: Join a pioneering space organisation with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on leadership role, and opportunity to work on real missions.
  • Why this job: Your code will literally fly in space - make a real impact!
  • Qualifications: Strong C and embedded systems experience; leadership and mentoring skills required.
  • Other info: Shape the engineering culture in a dynamic and growing environment.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.

Lead the code that flies in space. My client is building spacecraft flight software that runs real missions in real orbit - and they are now looking for a Technical Team Lead to guide the engineers writing it. This is a hands-on leadership role. You won’t be "managing from the sidelines." You’ll design systems, review architecture, mentor engineers and still write mission-critical code that leaves Earth.

What you’ll lead:

  • You’ll own the technical direction, quality and delivery of spacecraft flight software.
  • Set technical direction and architecture for embedded flight software systems.
  • Lead design reviews, code reviews and software standards.
  • Remain hands-on in C and embedded development.
  • Drive software quality, testing strategies and CI/CD practices.
  • Mentor and grow a team of embedded and flight software engineers.
  • Work closely with hardware, systems and operations teams.
  • Own technical risk, interface definition and system-level decisions.
  • Improve engineering workflows, documentation and development processes.

You’ll be the technical anchor - the person people turn to when the problem is hard, safety-critical or cross-disciplinary.

What you’ll bring:

  • Strong C and embedded systems background; Java an added bonus.
  • Experience leading technical design and mentoring engineers.
  • Deep understanding of real-time systems, multitasking and low-level hardware.
  • Confident working with microcontrollers (ARM Cortex-M class preferred).
  • Experience diagnosing and resolving complex system-level faults.
  • Excellent communication skills - you can explain deep technical decisions clearly.
  • Ownership mindset and ability to shape engineering culture.

Bonus points if you’ve worked with:

  • FreeRTOS, RTEMS or other RTOS platforms.
  • Embedded Linux / Yocto / systemd / BusyBox.
  • Python, Java or automation scripting.
  • CI/CD pipelines, Docker, GitLab or DevOps tooling.
  • Spacecraft, robotics, aerospace, automotive or safety-critical environments.

Why this role stands out:

  • Your team’s code flies in space.
  • You define architecture, standards and technical direction.
  • You still build - this is a technical leadership role, not a people-only role.
  • You shape the engineering culture of a growing space organisation.
  • You’ll work on complete spacecraft, not isolated components.

This is your chance to lead the engineers who write software that leaves the planet.

Technical Lead Flight Software (Embedded systems) in Edinburgh employer: Head Resourcing Ltd

Join a pioneering space organisation where your leadership will directly influence the development of flight software that operates in real missions beyond Earth. With a strong emphasis on hands-on technical involvement, you will mentor a talented team while shaping engineering culture and standards in a collaborative environment. Enjoy exceptional growth opportunities and the unique experience of contributing to groundbreaking aerospace technology in a dynamic and innovative workplace.
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Contact Detail:

Head Resourcing Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Technical Lead Flight Software (Embedded systems) in Edinburgh

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the aerospace and embedded systems community. Attend meetups, webinars, or even online forums. 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 that highlights your best projects, especially those related to flight software or embedded systems. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical prowess, so make it shine!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your C and embedded systems knowledge. Be ready to discuss real-time systems and low-level hardware. Practise explaining complex concepts clearly, as communication is key in this role.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to lead the charge in spacecraft flight software. Your dream job could be just a click away, so take that leap!

We think you need these skills to ace Technical Lead Flight Software (Embedded systems) in Edinburgh

C Programming
Embedded Systems
Technical Leadership
Software Architecture
Code Review
Real-Time Systems
Microcontroller Experience
Problem Diagnosis
Communication Skills
Mentoring
CI/CD Practices
DevOps Tooling
FreeRTOS
Embedded Linux
Automation Scripting

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Space: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for space and technology shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you’re excited about leading the development of flight software that actually flies in space!

Highlight Your Technical Skills: Make sure to clearly outline your experience with C and embedded systems. We’re looking for someone who can dive into the technical details, so don’t hold back on showcasing your hands-on coding experience and any relevant projects you've worked on.

Emphasise Leadership Experience: Since this is a leadership role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to mentor and guide engineers. Share examples of how you’ve led teams, conducted design reviews, or improved engineering processes in your previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead a team that’s making a real impact in the aerospace industry.

How to prepare for a job interview at Head Resourcing Ltd

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your C and embedded systems knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with real-time systems and low-level hardware. They’ll want to see that you can dive deep into technical discussions, so prepare some examples of complex system-level faults you've resolved.

✨Show Your Leadership Skills

This role is all about hands-on leadership, so be prepared to talk about your mentoring experiences. Share specific instances where you guided engineers through design reviews or helped improve their coding practices. Highlight how you’ve shaped engineering culture in previous roles.

✨Communicate Clearly

Excellent communication skills are a must. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to present your ideas or solutions during the interview, so make sure you can articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently.

✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Space

Let your enthusiasm for aerospace and spacecraft software shine through. Share any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your interest in this field. Whether it’s personal projects or professional work, showing genuine passion can set you apart from other candidates.

Technical Lead Flight Software (Embedded systems) in Edinburgh
Head Resourcing Ltd
Location: Edinburgh

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