At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software vision and strategy for innovative defence and commercial products.
- Company: Join James Fisher, a global leader in engineering services with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, and early finishes on Fridays.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with clear career pathways and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in safety and innovation while shaping future technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Software; experience in software development strategy required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
- Technical Software Development Manager – Embedded Systems
- Full-Time, Permanent
- Remote with travel to Westhill, Aberdeen
Please note that this role requires security checks.
The Role
As Technical Software Development Manager, you will play a pivotal role in defining and driving the software vision, strategy, and roadmap across key JFD product lines, ensuring alignment with wider product and business objectives.
Working closely with customers, stakeholders, and engineering teams, you will help define future software capabilities and requirements for both commercial and defence products.
This is a highly influential leadership role, responsible for ensuring software development activities align with JFD's engineering strategy, governance framework, and quality standards, while delivering safe, compliant, and cost-effective solutions that meet customer needs and business goals.
- What You'll Be Doing
- Lead the development and continuous evolution of the software vision, strategy, and roadmap across designated product lines, ensuring alignment with business objectives and future customer needs.
- Engage with customers, stakeholders, and internal teams to capture requirements, identify emerging capability needs, and translate these into clear software development priorities.
- Provide governance and oversight of software verification and validation activities, ensuring solutions are delivered in line with quality, safety, and compliance requirements.
- Define, implement, and maintain effective software lifecycle management processes, controls, and development standards across programmes and product lines.
- Drive the prioritisation of software features, enhancements, and technical improvements, balancing customer requirements, commercial objectives, and technical considerations.
- Collaborate closely with Systems Engineering and Delivery teams to ensure robust requirements management and end-to-end traceability throughout the development lifecycle.
- Partner with Innovation teams and Product Line Leaders to shape future product capabilities and contribute to long-term technology and product roadmaps.
- Support business development and bid activities by providing technical leadership, software expertise, and strategic input to customer solutions and proposals.
- Work alongside Engineering Managers to develop software capabilities, strengthen technical expertise within teams, and support the growth of future talent.
- What We’re Looking For
- Degree qualified in a relevant Engineering, Software, or Technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
- Proven experience leading or influencing software development strategy, roadmaps, and technical delivery within a complex engineering environment.
- Strong understanding of software development across embedded and/or non-embedded applications.
- Experience working with requirements management and ensuring traceability throughout the development lifecycle.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, contractors, and internal teams.
- A strategic mindset, with the ability to balance long-term product objectives with operational and customer needs.
- A proactive problem-solver who takes ownership, drives solutions, and delivers results.
- Experience within the defence, maritime, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries would be advantageous.
- Knowledge of quality, safety, and governance standards within an engineering environment.
- Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally as required.
- Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).
Desirable
- Experience working with functional safety standards such as IEC 61508 and IEC 61511.
- Knowledge of Secure by Design principles, IEC 62443 cybersecurity requirements, and secure product development practices.
- Experience defining cybersecurity requirements, conducting threat and risk assessments, and assuring third-party software suppliers for safety-critical or mission-critical systems.
Why join us?
- Early finish on Fridays
- Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
- Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
- Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
- Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations
About Us
James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport.
With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments.
Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.
Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc
For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc
James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting-edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets.
Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training.
We're also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry.
Explore more about JFD
At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.
To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida.
You can learn more about our approach by visiting our company page: James Fisher and Sons diversity, inclusion, culture - VERCIDA
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Technical Software Development Manager - Embedded Systems (TA) in London employer: James Fisher and Sons plc
James Fisher and Sons plc is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of London where innovation meets responsibility. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to continuous professional development opportunities while working alongside a high-performing team dedicated to safety and sustainability in maritime transport. The company's focus on governance and risk management not only ensures a secure working environment but also empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Software Development Manager - Embedded Systems (TA) in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at James Fisher and Sons plc or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
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✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Technical Software Development Manager - Embedded Systems (TA) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at James Fisher and Sons plc.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at James Fisher and Sons plc and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at James Fisher and Sons plc
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If James Fisher and Sons plc uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
