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Principal Software Engineer
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Ready to take a big step in software engineering?
As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll lead from the front in embedded and application software, help shape the technical direction, and mentor a talented team working on cutting-edge cyber and defence technology. This Principal Software Engineer role offers real autonomy, meaningful impact, and the chance to deliver high-quality software into complex, mission-critical programmes.
What You Will Do
- Architect, design, implement, document, and test embedded and/or application software to a strong project software development process.
- Apply object-oriented design and design patterns to enable re-use and smooth integration with test frameworks.
- Review system design artefacts and derive software requirements and architecture that meet high-level system needs.
- Maintain high-quality software design using modelling tools such as RSA and Enterprise Architect (EA), supporting accurate code generation where required.
- Drive best-practice development, including TDD/BDD, Continuous Integration, DevSecOps, and static and run-time analysis, with a focus on secure software development.
- Lead technical reviews, sign off significant technical documents, and mentor engineers to help the whole team deliver with confidence.
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What You Will Bring
- A degree in an engineering, mathematical, or science-based subject, or equivalent experience.
- Significant experience with embedded product development (including bare-metal and RTOSes such as ThreadX, QNX, or Linux) and/or embedded Linux application, kernel, and/or driver development.
- Strong C or C++ experience, alongside a solid understanding of best-practice software development lifecycles.
- Proven object-oriented design experience using principles such as SOLID and practical design pattern use.
- Experience with software testing and design for test, plus a track record of using version control, continuous integration, and automated test tooling.
As a Principal Software Engineer, your leadership directly supports the delivery of advanced cryptographic and key management solutions within the cyber industry. Every programme depends on secure, reliable software, and your expertise will help the team balance requirements, schedule, and cost while continuously improving tools and processes. The result is higher quality engineering outcomes and a stronger technical standard across software development and verification.
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Location
Based in Maidenhead, United Kingdom, with full-time onsite working expectations aligned to programme needs. There is good flexibility to working hours.
Interested?
If Principal Software Engineer is the next move on the path to greater technical leadership, apply now and take your place in a role where expertise genuinely makes a difference.
Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number, and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.
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