Embedded ADA Software Engineer (Datalinks)

MBDA; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization in the UK seeks an experienced Embedded ADA Software Engineer to join their team. This technical hands-on role will involve all aspects of the software life cycle, including working on Datalink systems for missile communication. Candidates should have significant experience in embedded software development using Ada and be comfortable in a lab environment. The role offers a competitive salary and hybrid working arrangements, along with various company benefits.

Benefits

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension contribution up to 14%

Opportunity for paid overtime

Up to 15 additional days of Flexi Leave

Enhanced parental leave

Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals

Qualifications

• Significant previous experience of developing embedded software, using Ada.
• Worked in a lab environment with components and Test Equipment.
• Experience with Hard Real-Time embedded software development.

Responsibilities

• Capture requirements and design Embedded Software Architecture.
• Implement software in ADA and conduct verification through testing.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams including Firmware and Systems Engineers.

Skills

Embedded software development

Ada programming

Hard Real-Time systems

Real Time Operating Systems

Tools

Test Equipment (e.g., Scopes)

UML tools (e.g., IBM’s Rhapsody)

Job description

Real Time Datalink Software is tasked with supplying Datalink software into a wide range of Missiles and platforms that require a method of communicating over the air between them!

Salary

Circa £65,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working

4 days per week on-site, due to workload classification

Security Clearance

British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more

The opportunity

This is a relatively new function within MBDA with plenty of scope to help define what the Datalink does, its protocols and technical design.

This is a technical hands-on role and will involve all aspects of the software life cycle:

• Requirements capture
• Embedded Software Architecture & Design
• Implementation in ADA
• Verification (Reviews & Testing)

As well as working with other Software Engineers in the team you will also be encouraged to work closely with Firmware Engineers, Systems Engineers, Hardware Engineers, Test Engineers and respective leads.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced embedded ADA Software Engineer to join our team to develop current and future datalink systems and their associated protocols. Working as a software engineer as part of a multi-disciplinary team (hardware/software/firmware) with state-of-the-art technology, you will be at the forefront of mobile communications used within missile systems design.

• Lots of opportunity for hands‑on embedded software development
• Develop and grow your career; training programs to provide you with the skills/tools to take the next step to becoming a technical or managerial leader in MBDA
• You’ll get lots of experience interacting and influencing senior partners
• The potential opportunity for travel and international secondment (should you wish); we work with colleagues across UK and European sites

What we're looking for from you:

• Significant previous experience of developing embedded software, using Ada
• Working in a lab environment using components and Test Equipment e.g. Scopes
• Hard Real‑Time embedded software development
• Experience of Real Time Operating Systems e.g. FreeRTOS

Desirable, but not essential:

• Communication Protocols (e.g. SPI, UART, Ethernet, PCI‑Express)
• Experience in model‑based development, using UML or using tools such as IBM’s Rhapsody
• Strong problem solving at system and software component level to investigate software/hardware issues
• System integration and performance analysis

Our company:

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee‑led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

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