At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop cutting-edge autonomy solutions for military aviation systems.
- Company: Join QinetiQ, a leader in defence technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, and health benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid working available with exciting career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a team shaping the future of crewed and uncrewed operations.
- Qualifications: Degree in STEM and proven C programming experience required.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow – we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations, our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Software Development Engineer at our Farnborough site, where you’ll work with advanced technologies alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry.
The Role
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.
Your responsibilities will include:
- 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 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
This role is full time (37 hours per week) based at Farnborough. Hybrid working patterns are available. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites, including trial locations in the UK and overseas, will be expected.
Why Join QinetiQ?
As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges. As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey.
Our 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.
Our Recruitment Process
We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported.
Software Development Engineer (Control & Autonomy) in Farnborough employer: QinetiQ
At QinetiQ, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Boscombe Down facility, where innovation meets defence technology. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our inclusive culture, competitive benefits, and opportunities for professional development, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to meaningful projects that protect lives. Join us and be part of a diverse team that thrives on collaboration and creativity, all while enjoying the unique advantages of working at a site renowned for its aviation and aerospace capabilities.
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 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.
✨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.
✨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 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.
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 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
✨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 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.
