Embedded Software Lead

Alten; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle & Tech Scheme

Employee assistance programme

Life Insurance & Pension

Job summary

ALTEN Ltd in Portsmouth is seeking an Embedded Software Lead to design and deliver high‑performance software for sensor‑driven systems. You will work across embedded, real‑time and performance‑critical environments, combining modern C++ with Qt/QML interfaces to produce robust, production‑ready solutions.

The role requires leadership capabilities, strong embedded C++ experience and mandatory Qt/QML development, with a hybrid on‑site/remote work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.
• Strong experience in embedded software development, including real‑time or performance‑critical environments.
• Mandatory Qt/QML development experience.
• Experience leading or mentoring engineers within a software team is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and maintenance of embedded and backend software using modern C++ (C++14/17/20).
• Develop and integrate real‑time software components for performance‑critical systems.
• Implement algorithms for sensor data processing and fusion from multiple sources.
• Design and integrate Qt/QML user interfaces with C++ back‑end systems.
• Ensure software quality through code reviews, testing, debugging and performance optimisation.
• Collaborate with systems, embedded and UI/UX engineers across the full software lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance within the software team.

Skills

embedded software

C++

Qt / QML

sensor interfaces

system performance

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Job Description

Engage in the development of advanced real‑time embedded software systems with ALTEN Ltd. Join our team as an Embedded Software Lead, where you’ll design and deliver high‑performance software that enables complex sensor‑driven systems to understand their surroundings and present information clearly through intuitive graphical interfaces. You’ll work across embedded, real‑time and performance‑critical environments, combining modern C++ development with Qt/QML user interfaces to deliver robust, production‑ready solutions.

Location: Portsmouth
On‑site: Hybrid
Seniority: Lead Role
Security Clearance: Candidates must be willing to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and maintenance of embedded and backend software using modern C++ (C++14/17/20)
• Develop and integrate real‑time software components for performance‑critical systems
• Implement algorithms for sensor data processing and fusion, combining inputs from multiple sources
• Design and integrate Qt/QML user interfaces with C++ back‑end systems
• Ensure software quality through code reviews, testing, debugging and performance optimisation
• Collaborate closely with systems, embedded and UI/UX engineers
• Contribute across the full software lifecycle, from requirements and architecture through to implementation and documentation
• Provide technical leadership and guidance within the software team

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Strong experience in embedded software development
• C++ experience within real‑time, embedded or performance‑critical environments
• Qt / QML development experience (mandatory)
• Experience designing software that interfaces with sensors and hardware‑level systems
• Strong understanding of software architecture and system performance considerations

Soft Skills & Collaboration

• Confident technical communicator with leadership capability
• Comfortable working across multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Proactive, quality‑focused mindset
• Able to balance technical delivery with mentoring and guidance

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with sensor‑based systems (e.g. vision, radar, navigation or perception)
• Background in real‑time or safety‑critical environments
• Exposure to embedded Linux or performance‑optimised systems
• Experience leading or mentoring engineers within a software team

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.