At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop software for advanced electro-optical systems in defence applications.
- Company: Join OpenWorks, a rapidly growing tech company with a passion for engineering excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, 25 days holiday, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Enjoy team socials, learning opportunities, and a culture that empowers you to grow.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact while working on cutting-edge technology in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or related field, strong C++ skills, and software engineering experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
We're looking for Software Engineers and Senior Software Engineers with strong software development experience across the full development lifecycle to design and develop the software that powers advanced electro-optical systems used in Air Defence, cUAS and Surveillance and Target Tracking applications, deployed globally to protect critical military and civilian assets.
You’ll work in a fast-paced, high-impact environment, juggling multiple projects and taking ownership of software from concept through to deployment. Your work will be hands-on, technically challenging, and directly operational, giving you autonomy and the satisfaction of seeing your designs perform in real-world applications.
This is a practical, high-responsibility role where your software expertise, system design skills, and problem-solving ability will shape our solutions that deliver real-world performance and reliability.
Who We Are
OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England. Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations.
The amazing things we do are only possible because of a dedicated and passionate team.
Why You'll Love Working With Us
- Rewarding Success - Competitive salary and bonus package, with performance bonuses of up to 25% and clear opportunities for career progression.
- Enhanced Pension – Up to 8% employer-matched contributions to help you plan for the future.
- More Time to Recharge – 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, long-service rewards, and the option to buy up to 5 extra days.
- Breakfast & Lunch on Us – Enjoy team breakfasts and freshly prepared lunches every day courtesy of Chef Mark and his team.
- Health & Wellbeing – Private healthcare and life assurance for added peace of mind.
- Sustainable Travel – Salary sacrifice schemes, including EV car and Cycle to Work options.
- Team Socials – Regular events, from quiz nights and football to board games and more.
- Learning & Growth – A culture that empowers you to challenge, grow and make an impact, plus a £250 annual learning budget to invest in the development that matters most to you.
What You'll Be Doing
- Code Development: Get hands-on with our codebase and quickly build familiarity with our platforms.
- Software Design: Design and develop real-time software solutions for use on physical devices.
- System Architecture: Specify system architecture, including hardware, operating systems and libraries.
- Software Ownership: Take ownership across the software lifecycle, from coding and reviews through to release and version control.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with mechanical, electrical and systems engineers to deliver integrated solutions.
- Adaptability: Thrive in a fast-paced R&D environment where priorities and requirements may evolve rapidly.
What We're Looking For
- Academic Background: A degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or a related discipline.
- C++ Development: Strong C++ development skills.
- Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with Linux hardware drivers, network configuration, CMake, DevOps and TCP/IP.
- Software Engineering Experience: Experience developing software deployed on real-time embedded platforms, including architecture design, hardware and OS specification, code development and review, source control and release management.
- Problem Solving: A creative problem solver who knows when to ask questions and how to manage their time effectively.
- Team Fit: Reliable, adaptable and self-aware, with the ability to work effectively within a collaborative engineering team.
- Desirable: Additional Technical Skills: Experience with Python, Cyber Security and/or Video Streaming technologies.
More About Us
Vision Help protect the territory and airspace of NATO countries and their allies.
Mission Be a world-leading provider of autonomous technology for Surveillance applications and Defence.
Values Be a Good Egg: Earn respect, have mutual trust and be honest. Do cool stuff: We develop cool tech with an awesome team, and we get stuff done. Be empowered: We are autonomous, reliable and take personal responsibility. We are one team: Look out for each other and the team. Things go wrong: Fail fast, learn and move on. Have fun: We’re doing amazing things with passionate people.
Senior Software Engineer in Prudhoe employer: OpenWorks Engineering
OpenWorks is an exceptional employer located in the North East of England, offering a dynamic work environment where finance professionals can thrive. With a competitive remuneration package, generous holiday allowance, and a culture that promotes personal growth and teamwork, employees enjoy unique benefits such as free meals and private healthcare. The company is dedicated to innovation in defence technology, providing meaningful work that contributes to global safety while fostering a supportive and fun workplace atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer in Prudhoe
✨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 OpenWorks Engineering 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
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to OpenWorks Engineering.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like OpenWorks Engineering.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like OpenWorks Engineering that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer in Prudhoe
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 OpenWorks Engineering.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at OpenWorks Engineering 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 OpenWorks Engineering
✨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 OpenWorks Engineering 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.
