AI Software Engineer- National Security and Defence

Forward Role; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Bonus scheme

Referral scheme

5% employer pension contribution

Annual training budget

Job summary

Forward Role is seeking Principal and Senior Software Engineers for an AI-led, security-first consultancy in Manchester. You will work hands-on in a small senior team, driving from client conversations to production-ready solutions using AI agents and modern tooling while maintaining rigorous security and quality standards.

You'll influence architecture, mentor teammates and own critical customer relationships, with leadership opportunities and a clear path to Principal level as you shape

Qualifications

• Deep technical background in delivering secured software solutions across varied tech stacks.
• Proven ability to translate client needs into well-designed technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Translate client needs into well-designed technical solutions and communicate with customers.
• Deliver secure, high-quality software across a wide range of technologies.
• Lead using AI-assisted development and agentic tooling to accelerate delivery while ensuring quality and security.
• Incorporate security into every delivery stage, including threat modelling and automated testing.
• Mentor colleagues and automate good practices to prevent recurring mistakes.
• Take ownership of products, technology direction and architecture when needed.

Skills

TypeScript

C++

Rust

C#

Java

Job description

Principal and Senior Software Engineers | AI-Led, Security-First Consulting | SC/DV Desirable | Secure and Commercial Sectors

A fast-growing, AI-led engineering consultancy is expanding its senior technical team. The business has secured significant programmes across secure and commercial clients and is using AI-assisted engineering to deliver at a pace and scale far beyond traditional teams. It is hiring Senior and Principal Software Engineers who want to shape how that model works, not simply operate within it.

The Opportunity

This is a hands-on, client-facing engineering role in a small, senior team where your judgement carries real weight. You will take customer problems from first conversation through to secure, production-ready solutions, using AI agents and modern tooling to move faster while retaining full accountability for quality and security.

The nature of the work is changing quickly. Engineers here spend less time writing every line of code and more time directing AI agents, course-correcting them and applying deep technical judgement to ensure the right decisions are made. If you see that shift as an opportunity rather than a loss, this is the environment to do your best work.

What You Will Be Doing

At Senior level:

• Translating client needs into well-designed technical solutions, and speaking directly to customers to do so


• Delivering secure, high-quality software across a wide and varied range of technologies and problem types


• Using AI-assisted development and agentic tooling to accelerate delivery, while reviewing and validating everything that is produced


• Building security into every stage of delivery, including threat modelling, automated testing and build, dependency management and code scanning


• Reflecting on each solution and improving the approach next time


• Mentoring colleagues and helping automate good practice so that mistakes are not repeated

At Principal level, all of the above, plus:

• Owning key customer relationships and helping to win and grow new ones


• Leading teams and acting as a technical leader and mentor to more junior engineers


• Taking ownership of products, technology direction and architecture


• Taking a meaningful share of the running of the business alongside the founders

What We Are Looking For

Essential for both levels:

• Strong, proven background in solutions architecture or solving customer problems with technology, with evidence of doing so


• Depth of experience in complex, strongly typed languages (for example TypeScript, C++, Rust, C# or Java). Backgrounds from games, consultancy and smaller technology companies are very welcome


• A security-first mindset, including working knowledge of threat modelling frameworks such as MITRE and an understanding of secure coding, DevSecOps and shift-left practices


• Demonstrable ability to learn and adapt very quickly. Specific tools matter less than technique and pace of learning


• Pragmatic judgement and the ability to reflect honestly on past solutions


• A positive, curious outlook on AI-led engineering and on the way the role of a software engineer is changing

Additional for Principal:

• Leadership, mentoring and team management experience


• Appetite for business development, customer ownership and product leadership

Security clearance (SC or DV) is highly desirable but not essential. Candidates without clearance must be willing to work in security-cleared environments and to go through the vetting process. Experience of air-gapped environments is advantageous.

Why Join

• Genuine ownership and influence: a small senior team where your contribution is visible and valued


• Innovation time: 10 per cent of your working time is protected for innovation and product ideas


• Venture model: engineers with strong ideas can be backed with time, a team and funding to build products, with a share of the upside if the product succeeds or is spun out


• Cutting-edge AI engineering: work at the front of AI-assisted delivery across secure and commercial sectors


• Progression based on capability: a clear route to Principal and beyond, driven by what you can do rather than years served


• Variety: a broad mix of clients, technologies and problems rather than a single narrow stack


• Streamlined hiring: a maximum of two interview stages, with no lengthy technical test process

Package

• Principal: £85,000 to £100,000, with scope above this for exceptional leadership experience


• Senior: £60,000 to £85,000, depending on experience


• £4,000 annual training budget


• Private healthcare


• Bonus scheme


• Referral scheme


• 5 per cent employer pension contribution

Locations

• Manchester City Centre

Contact

Email: [e-mail]

Mobile: [phone]