At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop innovative software and automation solutions for defence decision-making.
- Company: Join Nova Systems, a leader in advanced systems engineering and digital technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, professional development, flexible working, and health benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth opportunities and support for learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national safety while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Programming experience in C++ and Python, with a passion for automation and data handling.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Nova Systems International plays a vital role in modelling and simulation space by delivering advanced systems engineering and digital technology solutions that help governments and industries make critical decisions. Our work supports mission readiness, system optimisation, and scenario planning across defence, aerospace, and essential services. Future employees can expect to work on cutting‑edge challenges that directly impact national safety and global stability, within a collaborative, values‑driven culture.
The Role - Junior Software Engineer
As a Junior Software Engineer in the Modelling & Simulation (M&S) domain, you will play a key role in developing innovative software and automation solutions that support decision‑making for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). You will help build simulation models, data‑driven tools, and automation pipelines that underpin experimentation, capability assessment, and future force development. This is an excellent opportunity for an early‑career engineer with a strong technical foundation and an interest in applying software and data skills to real‑world defence challenges.
Location - This is a Hybrid role will primarily be based on the client site 2-3 days a week in Farnborough Hampshire.
Key Accountabilities of the role
- Support the development and testing of software for Project Crucible and related M&S initiatives.
- Implement and maintain automation scripts and workflows to improve efficiency in model execution and data processing.
- Contribute to the design and development of simulation models and analytical tools.
- Assist in building and maintaining data pipelines that extract and transform simulation outputs.
- Support integration of models and tools into federated simulation environments.
- Collaborate with software, data, and domain specialists to deliver high‑quality technical outputs.
What are we looking for?
- Programming experience in C++.
- Understanding of software engineering principles (version control, testing, CI/CD).
- An interest in automation, scripting, and process optimisation.
- Basic experience with data handling, data pipelines, or data manipulation.
- Awareness of networking protocols and distributed systems.
- Desire to learn Lua scripting (used within VR‑Forces simulation).
- Programming experience in Python.
- Defence Modelling & Simulation (M&S) Air and/or Maritime domain knowledge.
- Development of simulation systems and integration/federation.
- Rapid concepting and prototyping of M&S capabilities.
- Exposure to simulation integration, automation frameworks, or data‑driven experimentation.
Security Requirements:
- Ability to achieve Security Clearance (SC).
Why Join Us
At Nova Systems, you will be part of a mission‑driven team that values innovation, trust, and collaboration. We offer a supportive environment for learning and development, backed by our professional development allowance, mentoring, and opportunities to work on impactful defence projects.
- Up to £3000 Annual Professional Development Allowance.
- 25 days Annual Leave + UK Public Holidays.
- Enhanced Family Friendly Leave.
- Loyalty Leave.
- Private Medical Insurance.
- Life Insurance.
- Up to 6 Weeks Sick Pay.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Reward & Recognition Programme.
- Discounts and more.
- Dress for your Day!
- Flexible and Hybrid working.
- Free Parking.
Location - We support any client/onsite workdays with travel expenses and accommodation when required, this supports you being based anywhere in the UK as long as you are happy to commute for those days where the team collaborates onsite. This is typically 2-3 days a week with the rest being home or office based. We do try our best to ensure we can be as flexible as possible and offer work from home options to balance the days, however the sensitive nature of some of our projects then onsite is necessary. The client site is located at Cody Technology Park, Farnborough, Hampshire which is where the work will be based.
Interview Process
- MS Teams Screen call with Talent Partner.
- MS Teams Interview with Hiring Manager / Snr Team Member.
- Final interview / meet the team - In Person at one of our Offices.
Right to work documents must be provided at this stage if not before. Please note - Due to the nature of the work Nova is involved in, we are required to comply with government regulations related to background checks and security clearances. Therefore, we must obtain your citizenship and country of birth information at the beginning of the recruitment process, to confirm your eligibility for this role.
We are committed to increasing diversity of staff within Nova Systems International and within the aerospace and engineering sector. We welcome applications from everyone who meets the requirements of the role description, and we are committed to equal opportunity, equal treatment, and respect for every individual. At Nova Systems International we are proud supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant. We recognize the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and military families bring to our business. We offer, and value, flexible working and we are also proud to be committed to mental health awareness and to actively support the wellbeing of our team.
Software Engineer in Farnborough employer: Nova Systems International
At Nova Systems International, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and values-driven culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our generous professional development allowance, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive environment that encourages innovation and learning. Located in Farnborough, Hampshire, you will have the opportunity to work on impactful defence projects while enjoying a healthy work-life balance and a range of benefits designed to support your well-being.
Contact Details:
Nova Systems International Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer in Farnborough
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
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We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer in Farnborough
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 Nova Systems International.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Nova Systems International 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 Nova Systems International
✨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 Nova Systems International 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.
