Lead Cyber Software Engineer - DV Cleared

Searchability; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 86,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Searchability is seeking a Lead Cyber Software Engineer in Manchester for a hybrid, permanent position. The role requires hands-on C++ leadership delivering high-assurance cyber software for mission-critical environments.

The candidate will lead teams up to 12 engineers, drive technical direction, and ensure secure coding standards while remaining actively hands-on. An active UKSV DV or eDV clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Active UKSV DV or eDV clearance.
• Hands-on C++ experience in secure high-assurance environments.
• Experience leading software teams up to 12 engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor software engineering teams up to 12 engineers.
• Provide technical direction across design, development and delivery of high-assurance software.
• Develop and review C++ code for cyber and security-critical systems.
• Drive secure coding practices and software verification.
• Support architecture decisions and key design choices.
• Work on OT cyber projects with real-world systems.

Skills

C++

Technical leadership

Secure high-assurance

Defence/National Security experience

Mentoring (up to 12 engineers)

Tools

Go

Rust

Job description

Lead Cyber Software Engineer - UKSV DV / eDV Cleared

NEW PERMANENT OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE FOR A DV CLEARED LEAD SOFTWARE ENGINEER IN MANCHESTER

Salary: Up to £95,000
Location: Manchester
Working Pattern: Hybrid
Clearance: Active UKSV DV or eDV clearance

THE ROLE

I’m currently working with an organisation delivering specialist cyber capabilities across UK Defence and National Security, looking for an experienced Lead Cyber Software Engineer to join their team in Manchester.

This is an opportunity to take a hands-on technical leadership role, guiding software engineering teams delivering high-assurance cyber capabilities for mission-critical environments.

You’ll lead and mentor teams of up to 12 engineers, helping shape technical direction and drive the design, development and delivery of secure, robust software for operational technology (OT) cyber projects. You’ll remain close to the engineering while supporting technical decision-making and ensuring solutions meet demanding security, performance and assurance requirements.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Leading, mentoring and developing software engineering teams of up to 12 engineers.
• Providing technical direction across the design, development and delivery of high-assurance software.
• Developing and reviewing C++ code for cyber and security-critical systems.
• Driving engineering standards, secure coding practices, software quality and verification.
• Supporting technical architecture and key design decisions.
• Working on operational technology (OT) cyber projects involving real-world systems.
• Collaborating with cyber specialists, systems engineers and stakeholders across Defence and National Security.
• Supporting software throughout its lifecycle within secure, classified environments.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Strong commercial software engineering experience, particularly with C++.
• Proven experience leading and mentoring software engineering teams, ideally of up to 12 engineers.
• A background in secure, high-assurance or safety-critical software development.
• Strong understanding of software design, secure coding and verification practices.
• Experience providing technical leadership, guiding engineering decisions and maintaining high development standards.
• The ability to remain hands-on while leading a team and delivering complex technical projects.
• Experience working within Defence, Cyber or National Security environments.
• Active UKSV DV or eDV clearance.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Experience with Go (Golang) and/or Rust.
• Background in vulnerability research, reverse engineering or low-level software development.
• Exposure to operational technology, embedded systems or systems-level programming.
• Cyber security qualifications such as CEH, OSCP or equivalent.
• Experience delivering technical capabilities for MOD or wider National Security customers.

WHY CONSIDER THIS ROLE?

• Lead engineering teams delivering mission-critical cyber capabilities.
• Take ownership of technical direction while remaining hands-on.
• Work on complex operational cyber projects with real-world impact.
• Join a highly technical engineering environment supporting long-term National Security programmes.
• Manchester-based role with hybrid working.

INTERESTED?

If you're an experienced C++ Engineer with a strong technical leadership background and active UKSV DV or eDV clearance, get in touch to find out more.