Control and Software Validation Lead

ALTEN LTD - UK; Brentwood; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle & Tech Scheme

Employee assistance programme

Life Insurance

Pension Scheme

Team events

Job summary

ALTEN Ltd - UK in Brentwood is seeking a Controls & Software Validation Lead to drive software requirements and verification for advanced control systems across marine, alternative fuels, and industrial sectors.

You will lead SIL/HIL testing, integrate PLC/ECU code, support certification efforts, and ensure deliverables meet safety and project schedules; collaboration across multidisciplinary teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in software development, software validation, requirements management, or control systems engineering.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering environments.
• Practical experience with SIL and/or HIL testing environments.
• Ability to translate customer and engineering requirements into testable specifications.
• Experience supporting regulatory, certification, or audit-driven projects.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional communication skills.
• Ability to manage software requirements through the full development lifecycle.
• Experience working independently while collaborating effectively within project teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to capture, refine, and manage hardware and software requirements.
• Produce certification-ready documentation covering functional specifications, safety logic, interlocks, and software testing activities.
• Develop and integrate PLC and ECU source code into released software modules.
• Develop and execute Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test strategies and test cases.
• Coordinate software validation activities with engineers and technicians.
• Act as the interface between software, engineering, and test teams to resolve technical and integration issues.
• Support safety assessments, risk analysis activities, and requirements capture exercises.
• Monitor and analyse system performance data from deployed applications.
• Manage data logging and performance monitoring activities.
• Work closely with Project Managers and Principal Engineers to ensure software deliverables meet programme schedules.
• Support wider technical activities across the business as required.

Skills

Software development

Software validation

Requirements management

Control systems engineering

Multidisciplinary teams

SIL testing

HIL testing

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

Equivalent military experience

Tools

Azure DevOps

MATLAB/Simulink

PLC/ECU development

Embedded systems

Job description

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

Job Description

As a Controls & Software Validation Lead, you will join our Brentwood team to support our activities within the alternative fuels, marine, and industrial engineering sectors.

You will lead the capture, validation, and delivery of software requirements for advanced control systems across innovative engineering projects. Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will drive software verification activities, support certification efforts, and ensure that control system functionality is thoroughly tested and validated before deployment into operational environments.

Location: Brentwood

On Site: Hybrid

Clearance: Clearable

Experience Level: Mid- Level (5-9 years of experience)

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to capture, refine, and manage hardware and software requirements
• Produce certification-ready documentation covering functional specifications, safety logic, interlocks, and software testing activities
• Develop and integrate PLC and ECU source code into released software modules
• Develop and execute Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test strategies and test cases
• Coordinate software validation activities with engineers and technicians
• Act as the interface between software, engineering, and test teams to resolve technical and integration issues
• Support safety assessments, risk analysis activities, and requirements capture exercises
• Monitor and analyse system performance data from deployed applications
• Manage data logging and performance monitoring activities
• Work closely with Project Managers and Principal Engineers to ensure software deliverables meet programme schedules
• Support wider technical activities across the business as required

Required Skills

• Strong experience in software development, software validation, requirements management, or control systems engineering
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering environments
• Practical experience with SIL and/or HIL testing environments
• Ability to translate customer and engineering requirements into testable specifications
• Experience supporting regulatory, certification, or audit-driven projects
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional communication skills
• Ability to manage software requirements through the full development lifecycle
• Experience working independently while collaborating effectively within project teams

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.
• 5–10 years of relevant technical experience in software development, validation, controls engineering, or requirements management
• Experience working within regulated engineering environments
• Understanding of structured software development and verification processes

Desirable Skills

• Experience with Azure DevOps
• Experience using MATLAB and Simulink
• Knowledge of PLCs, ECUs, and embedded control systems
• Familiarity with safety and risk assessment methodologies such as FMEA, HAZID, and HAZOP
• Experience supporting certification and approval activities
• Knowledge of alternative fuel, propulsion, marine, industrial, or energy systems

Why join us?

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get:

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes.

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.