Lead Embedded Software Architect

Gattaca; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical cover

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Life assurance

Flexible benefits package

Flexible working hours

Job summary

Gattaca invites a Lead / Chief Software Architect to join a Berkshire-based, fully onsite engineering environment. You’ll provide technical leadership, set architectural direction, and mentor engineers across multiple programmes, shaping how systems are designed and delivered.

You’ll champion modular design, modern engineering practices (CI/CD, automated testing), and secure, scalable architectures while partnering with hardware, firmware, and systems teams to deliver high-integrity solutions.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Eligible for UK high-level security clearance (British citizenship required).
• Experience leading or mentoring engineers in a technical capacity.

Responsibilities

• Define and guide software architecture and design decisions.
• Provide technical leadership across multiple concurrent projects.
• Lead, mentor, and support a team of software engineers.
• Partner with systems, hardware, and firmware teams.
• Champion best practice engineering standards, tools, and processes.
• Drive modular design, reuse, and long-term maintainability.
• Support early-stage project planning, estimation, and proposals.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.

Skills

C/C++ or Rust

Linux/Windows

CI/CD/DevOps

Embedded/RTOS

UML/SysML modelling

Modular design

Mentoring/leadership

Education

Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics or related field

Job description

This is an opportunity to take a pivotal technical leadership role within a highly respected engineering organisation working at the forefront of secure and advanced systems.

If you’re someone who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing technical direction, and developing high-performing teams, this role offers the chance to make a genuine impact on critical, real-world programmes.

You’ll be joining an environment where technical excellence is valued, innovation is encouraged, and your expertise will directly shape how systems are designed and delivered.

Why This Role Stands Out

• High-impact work on complex, mission-critical systems
• Real technical ownership across multiple programmes
• Influence and autonomy to shape architecture, standards, and tools
• Strong team culture focused on collaboration and knowledge sharing
• Flexible working hours (including early Friday finishes) despite being fully onsite
• A business that genuinely invests in engineering capability and continuous improvement

The Role

As a Lead / Chief Software Architect, you’ll sit at the heart of engineering delivery, providing technical leadership, architectural direction, and mentoring across a portfolio of projects.

You’ll:

• Define and guide software architecture and design decisions
• Provide technical leadership across multiple concurrent projects
• Lead, mentor, and support a team of talented software engineers
• Partner closely with systems, hardware, and firmware teams
• Champion best practice engineering standards, tools, and processes
• Drive modular design, reuse, and long-term maintainability
• Support early-stage project planning, estimation, and proposals
• Play a key role in building a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement

What You’ll Bring

Technical Strength

• Strong experience with C/C++ or Rust, ideally in embedded or systems environments
• Experience working across Linux and/or Windows platforms
• Good understanding of modern engineering practices (CI/CD, DevOps, automated testing)
• Ideally, exposure to real-time or embedded systems (RTOS)
• Proven ability to define and deliver robust, scalable architectures
• Experience with UML / SysML modelling and structured design approaches
• Passion for clean design, modularity, and code reuse

Leadership & Impact

• Experience leading or mentoring engineers in a technical capacity
• Comfortable influencing across teams and projects
• A track record of delivering complex solutions to high standards

Nice to Have

• Experience within secure, regulated, or high-integrity environments
• Knowledge of secure software or cryptographic systems
• Familiarity with standards such as MISRA or similar

Requirements

• Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field
• Must be eligible for UK high-level security clearance (British citizenship required)

What’s On Offer

• Private medical cover
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (option to buy more)
• Life assurance
• Flexible benefits package
• Flexible working hours with a strong focus on work-life balance

The Environment

This is a fully onsite role in Berkshire, due to the secure nature of the work conducted. However, the organisation recognises the importance of flexibility, offering adjustable start/finish times and a supportive approach to balancing work and life commitments.