Principal Software Engineer in Southampton

Salary: Negotiable plus benefits, pension (7% contribution), 25 days holiday & life insurance.

We are looking for principal software engineers with diverse experience. We are a small but rapidly growing consultancy, owned by highly experienced and recognised practitioners in UK defence consultancy. We are looking for candidates with a mix of technical expertise and interpersonal skills, able to work independently and in small teams.

The Role: As a Principal Software Engineer, you will play a major role in leading and developing software engineering in the Software Modelling and Simulation, autonomy and geospatial fields, along with providing key advice around innovation and new techniques to stakeholders. You will be designing solutions for complex challenges that will meet and exceed user requirements.

Responsibilities will include:

• Take responsibility for the leadership and delivery of whole, or significant sub-components, of technical consulting projects and products.
• Designing, developing and delivering software solutions using a large range of techniques, including Wargames, Modelling and Simulation, Robotic and Autonomous systems, Digital Twins and Synthetic Environments.
• Applying mathematical and computational methods to tackle real world problems, applying tools and techniques, and developing novel approaches where required.
• Building new relationships and maintaining current customer relationships.

Expertise Required: At least 10 years of experience, including designing and delivering software applications and leading teams.

About You: We are looking for candidates who can help the company grow and can offer exciting opportunities for those with the drive to develop their own skills and those of the company. We offer competitive salaries and packages, and the opportunity for rapid advancement for the right candidates. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following attributes:

Essential:

• At least 10 years experience in designing and implementing performant software applications.
• Apply mathematical principles or statistical approaches to solve problems in scientific or applied fields.
• The ideal candidate will be educated to degree level or have equivalent relevant experience.
• Proficient in C/C++ native development.
• Demonstratable skills in stakeholder management including influencing, negotiating and conflict management.
• Demonstratable experience and capability in writing proposals and coordinating bid management activity.
• Experience in line management and enabling people to perform.
• Extensive experience with a range of software modelling and simulation techniques.
• Experience in using cases and project data context to determine specifications and requirements.
• Experience in one or more of the following technical disciplines: Videogame engine technology (e.g. Unreal Engine, Godot), Agent, Entity and Event based Simulation, Robotics and Autonomous Systems.
• Understand varied codebases and be confident in making changes to large projects.
• Understand performance and hardware constraints.
• Building customer and stakeholder relationships.
• Authoring of technical reports.
• Presenting to customers.
• Be willing to travel (on occasion as projects demand) and comfortable to work at client sites for periods.

Desirable: Experience working with Defence Digital, DE&S, Dstl, Frontline Commands or UK Defence industry.

Other Requirements: Candidates must have an existing right to live and work in the UK. Candidates will need to undergo an internal BPSS check prior to gaining site access. Candidates will also need to either hold a current SC clearance or be willing and eligible to undergo a Security Clearance check (SC level) upon starting their employment with the company. To gain SC clearance you will normally need at least 5 years UK residency.