Edge Compute Lead (Platforms)

rowdentech; West of England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rowden is seeking an Edge Compute Lead to own the hardware used by our engineering teams, from edge nodes to test infrastructure. You will ensure platform decisions align with OS, orchestration, and inference stacks, while guiding projects on the right platform choice.

This hands-on role is based on-site at our Bristol HQ for ~4 days a week, with occasional travel and eligibility for SC clearance.

Qualifications

• Hands-on, hardware-focused role supporting edge platforms and test infrastructure.
• Experience with resource-constrained edge environments and performance tuning.
• Eligible for UK security clearance (SC).

Responsibilities

• Own and validate hardware configurations for edge platforms.
• Advise projects on platform choice to match problems.
• Stand up reference systems and testing capabilities for early validation.
• Collaborate with Platforms team to align silicon, board, network with OS and orchestration.

Skills

Edge compute

Hardware ownership

Reference systems

On-site collaboration

Job description

We're building the UK's next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience.

We specialise in turning advances in sensing, AI, and communications into operational capability for the edge, where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Our work focuses on accelerating the deployment of technology, improving decision‑making for frontline teams, and protecting people and critical assets in demanding environments.

Headquartered in Bristol, Rowden employs around 200 people and operates over 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. We have a growing international footprint and are one of Europe's fastest‑growing engineering businesses.

About the role

We are hiring an Edge Compute Lead to take ownership of the hardware our engineers design, build and test on. The scope of the role will encompass everything from resource‑constrained edge nodes, through to test infrastructure and high‑performance compute.

Working within the Platforms team, you will ensure that decisions made at the silicon, board and network layer support what runs above them - operating systems, orchestration, inference stacks and applications. This is a hands‑on technical role without direct reports. Your influence will come from judgement, evidence, and the quality of what you put in front of engineers.

You’ll be the person teams come to when they need to know what to build on. You will hold a set of known‑good, documented configurations, advise projects on the right platform for the problem in front of them, and stand up reference systems and test capabilities that let people prove their work early and repeatedly.

This role requires an average of 4 days per week on‑site at our Bristol HQ, with occasional travel.

Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.

More information about security clearance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels