2026 Graduate - Software & Controls Engineer – Cambridge

PA Consulting; Royston; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in the UK is seeking talented graduates for their Software and Control team. You will develop cutting-edge embedded software and solutions, work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, and tackle meaningful challenges. The ideal candidate is passionate about technology, holds a degree in a related STEM field, and possesses strong programming skills. The role offers a starting salary of £31,000 with a £3,500 transport allowance, starting in Autumn 2026.

Benefits

Health and lifestyle perks

25 days annual leave plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve

Generous company pension scheme

Annual performance-based bonus

PA share ownership

Qualifications

• Studying towards or completed an accredited STEM related degree.
• Open to change and eager to acquire new technical skills.
• Experience in commercial software design, development or testing is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Design and build software for innovative products and devices.
• Work on technical challenges using innovative thinking.
• Develop embedded software and firmware for diverse industries.

Skills

Proficient programming skills in C++, Python, Rust, C or C#

Familiarity with software development practices and tools

Ability to think creatively and laterally

Strong problem-solving abilities

Excellent communication skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in a STEM related field

Tools

Agile

Version control

TDD

CI

Virtualization

Job description

Company Description

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.

Power Your Curiosity at PA

Why considering joining us?

Joining us as a graduate is the next step in starting your career. Whether you’re coming from a specialist background or from an unrelated subject, we want you to be bold, stay curious and dive into the opportunities we have to offer.

Within the Software and Control team:

• We design and build software for real products and devices – some of the most innovative and life-changing imaginable.
• We love a challenge and the ability to use our technical know-how and innovative thinking to find the best answers.
• Our multi-disciplinary teams specialise in developing end-to-end products and devices, taking early-stage concepts through to complete product releases – and even to small volume production line scale-up.

What you can expect

Some examples of our work are:

Software for Real Devices

We are experts in developing best-in-class embedded software and firmware for cutting-edge products and devices across many industries, from small medical devices to large transport networks. For example, we developed the Oakdoor™ Data Diode to keep organisations safe from cyber-attacks. We have been working with Ori Biotech to accelerate the development of affordable cell and gene therapies, which is set to revolutionise the healthcare industry.

Cloud Integration and IoT Devices

We design and develop edge-processing software for embedded and bare-metal IoT devices, with cloud-integration as a key feature, to create end-to-end IoT solutions that have real business value. We work closely with our teams of digital engineers and data scientists to extract deeper insights from our data. We helped Water Source create a water purification system that can change the way people around the world access safe drinking water.

Advanced Image processing & Virtual Reality

We have expertise in high-speed image analysis and processing, as well as building systems that capture, interpret and use image data. We have built mixed-reality digital twins to improve how operators visualise information and remotely control hazardous systems. Using Microsoft’s HoloLens, we enhanced training modules for IMI Critical Engineering with augmented reality (AR) to give engineers a real-world experience of the products they’ll be maintaining.

Assessment process

First Stage Assessments:

• Application form
• Online Assessments
• Shortlisting and/or Technical Assessments

Final Stage Assessments:

• Assessment Centre with Technical Assessments
• Final Stage Interviews

The Offer

• Opportunity to write software for Embedded devices, Cloud Integration, IoT, Advanced Image processing, VR, Safety Critical Software for Medical Devices, Defence, Transport etc
• Work on meaningful projects with talented people across a wide range of assignments
• Collaborate with talented, multi-disciplinary teams that provide insight into best practice software product development
• Your work will be based in our Global Technology and Innovation Centre in Melbourn, Cambridge
• Salary potential: £31,000 with an additional £3,500 transport allowance
• This role will start in Autumn 2026

A career at PA is what you make of it — so power your curiosity and prepare to make an impact.

Qualifications

• Qualification: Undergraduate degree — studying towards, or completed an accredited STEM related degree
• Coding experience – Proficient programming skills, with experience in any of these languages: C++, Python, Rust, C or C# as well as familiarity with software development practices and tools, such as agile, version control, TDD, CI and virtualisation
• Growth-oriented and curious — open to change, driven to succeed, hungry for new challenges, and eager to broaden your understanding of the world apply new technical skills and rapidly acquire domain expertise. You will be able to think creatively and laterally, applying existing knowledge to new problems
• Collaborative and relationship-focused — thrive in dynamic teams, build strong relationships with clients and peers, and support others to succeed.
• Credible and communicative — comfortable in high-performance environments, with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Analytical and adaptable — demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, innovative thinking, and the flexibility to adapt your style and approach. You will apply your engineering experience and knowledge gained through university, work or projects to help develop solutions to real-world problems
• Professional and reliable — show strong workplace etiquette by being punctual, dependable, and respectful of business expectations and office conduct.
• Additional technical experience – the following will also be beneficial but not essential:
• Commercial experience in software design, development or testing
• Knowledge or experience of a specific area of interest, for example: embedded software, sensors, IoT, cloud, robotics, VR/AR

We know the skill-gap and ‘somewhat need to tick every box’ can get in the way of meeting brilliant candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply – we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today by completing our online application

Please be aware that some of our UK roles at PA Consulting require a UK security clearance.

All PA people are required to undergo background checks and to achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard however, some UK roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, where applicants must have at least 5 years of continuous residency in the UK.

We therefore ask that you only apply if you meet the residency requirements (i.e. you are a British citizen or have been resident in the UK for the past 5 years), as this is the prerequisite for a security clearance. If you're unsure about your eligibility, we encourage you to review the UK Government’s guidance on security vetting before applying.

Additional Information

Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work.

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self.

Find out more about Life at PA here.

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. If you join us, full time in a permanent role, check out some of our extensive benefits:

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days
• Generous company pension scheme
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives
• Annual performance-based bonus
• PA share ownership
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)

We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

Adjustments or accommodations

Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on [e-mail].

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