At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of embedded software for safety-critical systems.
- Company: Join a pioneering tech firm creating advanced control systems for aircraft.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £65,000, inclusive culture, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Work with passionate engineers and engage directly with customers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace technology while mentoring fellow engineers.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or science, strong C/C++ skills, and software architecture experience.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 £ per year.
As a Principal Software Engineer, you will lead the design and delivery of embedded software for complex, safety‑critical systems. Your responsibilities include developing drivers, protocols, and human‑machine interfaces, providing technical direction, and ensuring robust, certifiable solutions throughout the full software lifecycle. You will define system and software architectures, drive integration, verification, and validation, and serve as a mentor and technical leader to fellow engineers. Engaging with customers and stakeholders, you will shape strategy, drive innovation, and deliver high‑impact solutions.
Core Duties
- Lead design and development of embedded software, including drivers, protocols, and human‑machine interfaces with certification artefacts
- Define system and software architectures from requirements using structured design, modelling, and simulation
- Drive integration, verification, and validation within a safety‑critical environment
- Provide technical leadership through mentoring, peer reviews, and best practice
- Deliver reliable estimates, including sizing and reuse
- Engage with customers to resolve technical challenges and shape solutions
- Contribute to engineering processes, design reviews and strategic decisions, ensuring high quality, compliant delivery
Essential Skills
- Degree or equivalent qualification in a scientific/engineering discipline (electronics engineering, software engineering, physics, mathematics)
- Excellent software engineering skills with significant experience in C/C++
- Extensive experience in software architecture design using UML or other model‑based techniques, including UML for software design in CAMEO, EA, Rhapsody or Integrity Modeler
- Experience interfacing software with hardware in a real‑time environment and development experience to DO‑178B/C standards
Team and Opportunities
You will work as part of a team of experienced, passionate and innovative engineers creating world‑leading control and display systems for the world’s most advanced commercial and military fixed‑wing and rotary‑wing aircraft. Exposure to customers and end users offers a unique opportunity for the right candidate.
Eligibility and Security
Many roles at the company are subject to both security and export control restrictions, meaning that nationality, citizenship history, and place of birth may limit eligibility. All applicants must achieve at least the Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Some roles require higher levels of National Security Vetting, typically necessitating 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK, depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow meaningful security vetting checks.
Inclusive Workplace
We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. A diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.
Senior/Principal Software Engineer in Rochester employer: United States Digital Space LLC
As a leading employer in the aerospace sector, we offer a dynamic and inclusive work environment in Rochester, Kent, where innovation thrives. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through mentorship opportunities and exposure to cutting-edge projects in safety-critical systems, ensuring that you can develop your skills while contributing to high-impact solutions for both commercial and military applications. With competitive salaries and a focus on collaboration, we provide a rewarding workplace that values diversity and fosters professional development.
Contact Details:
United States Digital Space LLC Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Principal Software Engineer in Rochester
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Principal Software Engineer in Rochester
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 United States Digital Space LLC.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at United States Digital Space LLC 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 United States Digital Space LLC
✨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 United States Digital Space LLC 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.