At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of complex software solutions using C++ and Unreal Engine.
- Company: Fast-growing software consultancy in the defence industry with a hybrid working model.
- Benefits: Salary up to £85,000, flexible benefits, 25 days holiday, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-stakes projects in simulation and autonomy.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in software development with strong C++ and Unreal expertise.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 85000 £ per year.
Salary: £80,000 - 85,000 per year
Requirements
- Extensive experience, typically 15+ years, delivering high-performance software
- Proven technical leadership at Principal or Technical Lead level
- Strong hands‑on expertise in C++ and Unreal Engine
- Background in simulation, autonomy, robotics, or game‑engine‑driven environments
- Experience working with large, complex codebases and performance constraints
- Strong stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and delivery of complex software solutions using C++ and Unreal Engine
- Act as technical lead across modelling and simulation, wargaming, and autonomous systems
- Apply mathematical and computational techniques to solve real‑world problems
- Own key technical decisions across architecture, tooling, and performance
- Mentor engineers and enable high‑performing delivery teams
- Deliver technical consultancy engagements and lead selected projects
- Build trusted relationships with customers and stakeholders
- Support bids, proposals, and technical reporting
Technologies
- Support Robotics
- Unreal GameDev
- C++
We are a fast‑growing software and data science consultancy delivering end‑to‑end solutions in the defence industry. This is a true principal‑level role based in Portsmouth on a hybrid working pattern of three days onsite. We offer a salary of up to £85,000, flexible for exceptional technical leaders, plus bonus and benefits including a 7% employer pension contribution, Vitality private healthcare, 25 days holiday with the option to buy or sell additional days, life assurance, an EV salary sacrifice scheme, and structured mentoring and ongoing technical development. You will work closely with subject matter experts and senior stakeholders on high‑impact programmes spanning modelling and simulation, autonomy, geospatial systems, synthetic environments, and digital twins.
Principal Software Engineer C++ / Unreal / Defence in Portsmouth employer: Sivara GmbH
Join a dynamic and innovative software and data science consultancy in Portsmouth, where your expertise as a Principal Software Engineer will be valued and nurtured. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer structured mentoring, ongoing technical development, and a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and creativity. Enjoy competitive benefits including a generous pension contribution, private healthcare, and flexible holiday options, all while working on impactful projects in the defence sector.
