At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop cutting-edge autonomy solutions for military aviation systems.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm shaping the future of crewed and uncrewed operations.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, health plans, and a matched pension scheme.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career growth and community volunteering.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while working with innovative teams.
- Qualifications: Degree in STEM and proven C programming experience required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
As a Software Development Engineer, you’ll play a key role in designing, developing and delivering autonomy solutions that support complex military aviation systems, helping shape the future of crewed and uncrewed operations. Day-to-day, you’ll take ownership of technical work packages, contribute to research and development activities, and support the integration and testing of autonomy and control technologies from concept through to live trials.
Responsibilities
- Applying software & systems engineering principles to the development of control and autonomy solutions
- Leading or contributing to algorithm development for autonomous and decision‑support systems
- Developing production‑level autonomy software using C, ideally C++, with exposure to Matlab
- Analysing and modelling uncrewed systems within synthetic environments
- Supporting hardware integration, testing and formally assessed trials in the UK and overseas
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners to deliver operational capability
Essential Experience
- Proven C programming experience, ideally C++, within complex or safety‑critical systems
- Knowledge of systems engineering principles
- Background in control, autonomy or complex software‑based systems
- Experience with modelling, simulation or algorithm development
Essential Qualifications
- Degree in a STEM discipline such as Engineering, Physics or Applied Mathematics
Eligibility
Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.
Benefits
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
- Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
- Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
- We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
- Volunteering Opportunities – helping charities and local community
Software Development Engineer (Control & Autonomy) in Farnborough employer: QINETIQ LIMITED
As a leading employer in the defence sector, we offer Software Development Engineers a dynamic work environment in Farnborough, where innovation meets purpose. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our generous benefits package, including a matched contribution pension scheme and opportunities for professional development, all while supporting the Armed Forces community. Join us to be part of a collaborative culture that values your contributions to cutting-edge autonomy solutions for military aviation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Development Engineer (Control & Autonomy) in Farnborough
✨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 QINETIQ LIMITED 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 QINETIQ LIMITED.
✨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 QINETIQ LIMITED.
✨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 QINETIQ LIMITED 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 Software Development Engineer (Control & Autonomy) 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 QINETIQ LIMITED.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at QINETIQ LIMITED 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 QINETIQ LIMITED
✨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 QINETIQ LIMITED 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.
