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- Tasks: Design and deliver high-quality software solutions for innovative lighting control products.
- Company: Join Pharos, an award-winning British manufacturer of dynamic lighting control solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team driving innovation in the evolving lighting industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on landmark projects with cutting-edge technology in a collaborative setting.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software development, especially with C/C++, and experience in embedded systems.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Pharos office in Cambridge, UK. Daily office attendance bonus and flexibility around hybrid working. The post holder may be required to work at other locations, at the discretion of their line manager.
Salary: Competitive, dependent on level of experience.
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours/week).
Contract Type: Permanent.
Pharos is seeking a Senior Software Engineer with a strong focus on automated testing to help drive quality and reliability across our product suite. Working within a cross-functional Scrum team, you will use your testing mindset to influence product architecture, improve testability, and support the team in shifting quality left. You will have experience in C/C++ encompassing desktop and real-time embedded application development. Ideally, you will also have hands-on experience with lighting, audio, or video control systems in live events or installation environments. The role will be based in the Pharos office in Cambridge but initial training on Pharos products may require the candidate to spend a few days in the Pharos offices in London, W4. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
About Us: Pharos Architectural Controls is an award-winning British manufacturer of dynamic lighting control solutions for architecture and other specialist industries. Our products are highly flexible, versatile and powerful, and trusted to run day and night illuminating iconic installations around the world — from international landmarks and historic architecture to theme parks, airports, stadiums, bridges, shopping malls, art installations, and more. Pharos strives to keep in step with the ever-changing lighting industry and adapt to the needs of our customers and their projects; our business is expanding and evolving with opportunities in new markets and new technologies in lighting. The Pharos brand is known for its high-quality lighting control, flexible integration and responsive technical support. The Pharos team are passionate about providing customers and projects with just the right control system to meet (and often exceed) their needs.
Job Summary: The Senior Software Engineer will be responsible for the implementation of new features in Pharos products, which include a range of embedded lighting controllers, touch screen interfaces and accessories, and cross-platform desktop applications used by customers to commission lighting systems. The successful candidate will be expected to gain familiarity with all parts of the Pharos software suite in order to recommend approaches for automated testing to accelerate our development practices. Pharos is a growing company with a close-knit and highly motivated team with a keen interest in the products it creates. Candidates should be similarly interested in the work involved and be able to adapt to changing priorities as we help deliver landmark projects for our customers. We offer a very friendly, flexible and supportive working environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and deliver high-quality software solutions across our product suite.
- Champion quality engineering by coaching teams on effective testing practices, including test design, mocking, isolation, and coverage.
- Assess and improve existing test suites, addressing coverage gaps, performance issues, and reliability concerns.
- Debug production and test failures, ensuring root causes are addressed and covered by future tests.
- Collaborate with Developers, QA and Product Owners to align on Definition of Done, quality gates and CI/CD pipeline improvements.
- Review code with a quality lens, identifying risk, edge cases, and maintainability concerns.
- Participate in architectural discussions, advocating for designs that improve system resilience and test coverage.
Essential Qualifications:
- 5+ years' experience in software development, ideally using C/C++.
- Experience developing software for embedded Linux across multiple hardware platforms.
- Proficient with Git or equivalent version control systems.
- Good understanding of modern networking concepts and protocols.
- Proven ability to work effectively in collaborative, cross-functional teams.
- Able to clearly explain previous work, including design decisions and trade-offs.
- Strong verbal and written technical communication skills in English.
Desirable Extras:
- A good degree in a relevant discipline, e.g. Computer Science, Engineering, Maths, etc.
- Experience in the use of lighting, audio or video control products within a live event or installation environment.
- Excellent time management, including the ability to prioritise conflicting tasks appropriately.
- Experience with the Qt application development framework.
- Knowledge of GPU shaders and compute pipelines.
- Familiarity and experience with code review tools such as Gerrit.
Senior Software Engineer in Cambridge employer: Pharos Architectural Controls
Contact Detail:
Pharos Architectural Controls Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry meetups, tech conferences, or even local coding events. You never know who might be looking for a Senior Software Engineer just like you!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving C/C++ and automated testing. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly! If you see a role at Pharos that excites you, drop us a message through our website. A personal touch can make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice explaining your past projects and how they relate to the role. Confidence is key!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience with C/C++ and automated testing, as well as any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about working at Pharos and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Don't forget to mention any experience with lighting or audio control systems if you have it!
Showcase Your Team Spirit: Since we work in cross-functional Scrum teams, it's important to demonstrate your collaborative skills. Share examples of how you've worked effectively with others in past roles, especially in software development and testing environments.
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 the role. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our awesome team at Pharos!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pharos Architectural Controls
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your C/C++ skills and be ready to discuss your experience with embedded systems. Pharos is looking for someone who can dive deep into technical discussions, so be prepared to explain your design decisions and how they relate to quality engineering.
✨Show Your Testing Mindset
Since the role focuses heavily on automated testing, think about how you've influenced product architecture in your previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've improved testability and shifted quality left in your past projects.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Pharos values teamwork, so highlight your experience working in cross-functional teams. Discuss how you've collaborated with developers, QA, and product owners to align on quality gates and CI/CD improvements. This will show that you're not just a lone wolf but a team player.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about Pharos's products and their approach to quality engineering. This shows your genuine interest in the company and the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to demonstrate your knowledge about the lighting control industry and how you can contribute.