Hardware Software Engineer

Expleo; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering and consulting firm is seeking a multi-disciplined engineer in Manchester to support the development and secure configuration of computing products for the Defence sector. The ideal candidate will focus on C# software engineering, secure operating systems, and hardware handling while ensuring compliance within a high-assurance environment. Applicants must be SC Cleared UK nationals legally permitted to work in the UK. Competitive benefits and opportunities for skill development are offered.

Benefits

Collaborative working environment

Competitive company benefits

Training through ExpleoAcademy

Opportunities for skill development

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience required.
• Experience in secure systems or high-assurance environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop new C# software based on an existing Java codebase.
• Support secure OS build and configuration activities.
• Build and wire engineering rigs for testing.
• Support secure network configuration and integration activities.

Skills

C# development experience

Secure-by-design engineering practices

Windows internals

Basic hardware engineering

Networking fundamentals

Virtualisation/container technologies

Problem-solving ability

Proactive engineering mindset

Education

Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related discipline

Job description

Overview

Expleois a trusted partner for end-to-end, integrated engineering, quality services and management consulting for digital transformation. We help businesses harness unrelenting technological change to successfully deliver innovations that will help them gain a competitive advantage and improve the everyday lives of people around the globe.

We are looking for a highly capable, multi-disciplined engineer to support the end-to-end development, secure configuration, integration, and operation of secure computing products for our client in the Defence sector.

This role combines C# software engineering, secure operating system development, hardware handling, systems integration, and security-by-design practices. The engineer will work within a high-assurance, MOD-accredited environment involving products certified up to Top Secret baseline.

Responsibilities

Software Engineering (C# Focus)

• Develop new C# software based on an existing Java codebase.
• Translate and implement Java functionality into C#.
• Provide limited Java support during the transition period.
• Build middleware components, integration layers, and secure software modules.
• Ensure all code conforms to secure-by-design and accreditation-driven standards.

Secure Operating System Engineering

• Support secure OS build and configuration activities for:
  • Windows 11 secure laptop OS builds
  • Windows Server 2025 virtualised/containerised platform
  • Containerised Linux-2 environments (future integration)
• Assist with secure image creation, application deployment, lockdown configuration, and privilege control.
• Follow government-accredited OS hardening and secure configuration guidelines.

Hardware Engineering Activities

• Build and wire engineering rigs for test and integration.
• Dismantle and modify laptops for secure hardware changes, including:
  • Internal battery removal
  • Storage and memory replacement
  • Basic FPGA module handling
• Adhere to Thales hardware security and handling procedures.

Networking & Systems Integration

• Support secure network configuration and integration activities.
• Cable and integrate server kits, power amplifiers, logic controllers, and other connected components.
• Assist with system-level integration between environments.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electronics, or a related discipline.
• Industry experience in secure systems, defence, national security, or high-assurance environments is advantageous.

Essential skills

• Strong C# development experience, with the ability to work from and interpret existing Java logic.
• Solid understanding of secure-by-design engineering practices.
• Experience with Windows internals, secure OS image creation, or secure deployment processes.
• Basic hardware engineering competency (laptop tear-down, component replacement, cabling).
• Networking fundamentals applicable to secure system integration.
• Experience with virtualisation and/or container technologies.
• Proven problem-solving ability and a proactive, full-lifecycle engineering mindset.
• Ability to operate effectively in MOD-accredited, high-assurance environments.

Desired skills

• Experience with government-accredited secure configuration standards (e.g., NCSC, MOD JSP).
• Familiarity with secure laptop builds, privileged access controls, or FIPS-accredited hardware.
• Exposure to FPGA modules, hardware security modules, or custom hardware integration.
• Knowledge of Windows Server 2025, Linux containerisation, or mixed-OS environments.
• Experience in middleware development or system-level software integration.

What do I need before I apply

• SC Cleared (mandatory)
• Sole UK National
• Applicants must be legally able to work in the UK and meet security requirements for restricted environments

Benefits

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and ourpeers through good times and challenges
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects
• ExpleoAcademy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses
• Competitive company benefits
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo

Disability Confident Commitment

• As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
• Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
• Communicating and promoting vacancies
• Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
• Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
• Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people

“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”.

We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive