Embedded Software Engineer

Alten; Crawley Down; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle & Tech Scheme

Employee assistance programme

Life insurance & Pension Scheme

Social atmosphere & team buildings

Flexible working (role dependent)

Job summary

ALTEN is seeking an accomplished embedded software engineer to develop C++ for high-reliability defence communication and signal-processing systems. You will work across embedded platforms demanding robustness, security, and deterministic performance, contributing to secure and mission-critical operations.

The role requires senior-level expertise (8+ years) with on-site presence in Crawley and eligibility for UK SC security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline or relevant military background with equivalent experience.
• Must be eligible to hold UK SC Security Clearance.
• Experience with embedded C++ in defence or high‑reliability systems is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain embedded C++ software for real-time communication and signal-processing systems.
• Develop and support software for embedded communication modules, modems, and RF-adjacent components.
• Conduct debugging, optimisation, and performance testing across embedded targets.
• Produce clear design specifications, requirements, and documentation per regulated development practices.
• Ensure secure coding standards and governance are followed.
• Support integration with wider engineering teams and participate in architecture reviews.

Skills

Embedded C++

Communications systems

Embedded debugging

Performance optimization

Secure coding

Traceability

Education

Bachelor's or Master in Software Engineering/CS

Tools

Linux kernel drivers

CI/CD tooling

Model-based design

Job description

Job Description

Join our team to develop embedded C++ software for high-reliability communication and information-exchange systems used in defence environments. You’ll contribute to next‑generation communication and signal‑processing technologies, working across embedded platforms that demand robustness, security, and deterministic performance. This role is ideal for an engineer experienced in embedded C++ who enjoys contributing to complex systems that underpin secure and mission‑critical operations.

Location: Crawley
On-site: 4 days per week
Seniority: Senior (8+ years of experience)
Clearance: Candidates must be willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain embedded C++ software for real‑time communication and signal‑processing systems.
• Develop and support software for embedded communication modules, modems, and RF‑adjacent components.
• Conduct debugging, optimisation, and performance testing across embedded targets to ensure reliability under operational loads.
• Produce clear and traceable design specifications, requirements, and documentation aligned with regulated development practices.
• Ensure adherence to secure coding standards, governance policies, and safety‑critical development procedures.
• Support integration activities with wider engineering teams and contribute to architecture and design reviews.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Strong proficiency in C++ for embedded systems (C++11/14/17).
• Experience in embedded development for communications or signalling systems (modems, radios, data links, or similar).
• Familiarity with embedded debugging, performance optimisation, and hardware‑software interaction.
• Understanding of secure coding practices, configuration management, and development governance.
• Experience with requirements traceability, verification, and system‑level testing.

Soft Skills & Collaboration

• Strong communication skills for cross‑discipline collaboration.
• Ability to work rigorously within regulated environments.
• Proactive, problem‑solving mindset with attention to detail.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.
• Must be eligible to hold or already hold UK SC Security Clearance.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with Linux kernel drivers
• Experience with communication stacks, DSP concepts, or RF‑adjacent technologies.
• Familiarity with embedded Linux or RTOS environments.
• Experience with CI/CD tooling, model‑based design, or static analysis tools.
• Background in defence, avionics, or secure‑systems engineering.

Additional Information

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.