Lead Software Architect

ALTEN; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company in defence technologies as a Software Architect, where you'll lead the software architecture of cutting-edge underwater surveillance systems. Your expertise in C/C++, Java, and safety-critical frameworks will contribute to projects of global significance, driving innovation in safety-related software development. The role emphasizes high standards and collaboration within a dynamic team focused on critical defence operations. Enjoy personalized career development, competitive salary, and a supportive environment fostering growth.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Pension Scheme

Cycle-to-work Scheme

Flexible way of working

Regular gatherings and team buildings

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in software engineering roles.
• Strong knowledge of C/C++ and Java, including respective toolchains.
• Demonstrated experience designing safety-critical software in regulated industries.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the software architecture for a complex, large distributed system.
• Oversee design reviews and mentor engineers.
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety standards such as IEC 61508 and ISO 26262.

Skills

C/C++

Java

Safety-critical frameworks

High-integrity coding

Risk analysis

Software FMEA

Technical documentation

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Atlassian tools

Jenkins

JFROG Artifactory

Job description

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Help design the next generation of underwater surveillance systems by leading the software architecture of complex distributed platforms. At ALTEN, we're supporting a critical programme that demands high-integrity, safety-related software developed to exacting standards. As a Software Architect, you’ll play a key role in defining architecture, guiding design decisions, and ensuring robustness across the system. This is a chance to apply your expertise in C/C++, Java, and safety-critical frameworks to shape software that supports defence operations worldwide.

Location: On-site – Manchester (5 days/week)
Experience Level: 8+ years in Software Engineering
Clearance Required: SC Clearance with no caveats

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and maintain the software architecture for a complex, large distributed system within a safety-critical defence domain
• Oversee design reviews, mentor engineers, and lead on architectural governance throughout the development lifecycle
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align software architecture with system-level requirements
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety standards such as IEC 61508, IEC 62304, or ISO 26262
• Contribute to Software FMEA, risk analysis, and the implementation of high-integrity coding practices
• Produce robust technical documentation and artefacts to support project delivery and certification

Job Description

Help design the next generation of underwater surveillance systems by leading the software architecture of complex distributed platforms. At ALTEN, we're supporting a critical programme that demands high-integrity, safety-related software developed to exacting standards. As a Software Architect, you’ll play a key role in defining architecture, guiding design decisions, and ensuring robustness across the system. This is a chance to apply your expertise in C/C++, Java, and safety-critical frameworks to shape software that supports defence operations worldwide.

Key Details:

Location: On-site – Manchester (5 days/week)
Experience Level: 8+ years in Software Engineering
Clearance Required: SC Clearance with no caveats

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and maintain the software architecture for a complex, large distributed system within a safety-critical defence domain
• Oversee design reviews, mentor engineers, and lead on architectural governance throughout the development lifecycle
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align software architecture with system-level requirements
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety standards such as IEC 61508, IEC 62304, or ISO 26262
• Contribute to Software FMEA, risk analysis, and the implementation of high-integrity coding practices
• Produce robust technical documentation and artefacts to support project delivery and certification

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience:

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in software engineering roles
• Strong knowledge of C/C++ and Java, including experience with their respective toolchains and development environments
• Demonstrated experience designing safety-critical or safety-related software in regulated industries
• Deep understanding of software lifecycles, unit testing, static analysis, and best practices in high-integrity coding
• Expertise in Software FMEA and architectural-level fault handling
• Skilled in writing technical documentation for complex systems
• Must hold or be eligible to holdvalid SC clearance (without caveats)

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with UML, SysML, or other modelling methods
• Background in defence projects or mission-critical systems
• Knowledge of IP networking protocols and secure communications
• Familiarity with virtualisation and containerisation technologies (e.g. Docker, VMware)
• Use of Atlassian toolsets (JIRA, Confluence, Bitbucket)
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines and tools like Jenkins, JFROG Artifactory

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• OR a technical military background with experience in high-integrity, embedded, or defence systems

Additional Information

Why join us?

We foster a community of dually talented individuals who are both entrepreneurs and technology specialists. Our teams embody the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling us to develop solutions most efficiently.

Our commitment to sustainable growth is unwavering, and we continuously strive for accelerated transformation and continuous improvement. Through ALTEN labs, mentoring programs, internal universities, and more, we are always pushing boundaries and embracing new possibilities.

We offer incredible opportunities to join inspiring projects in the most innovative companies.

We prioritise your career development with personalised support plans tailored to your own aspirations. We're here to empower you and help you reach your full potential.

Join our passionate team and start building tomorrow, today!

In short you get:

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
• A chance to work on the most exciting engineering projects and technologies along with Premium Customers
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• A competitive salary
• Private MedicalInsurance
• Pension Scheme
• Cycle-to-work Scheme among many additional benefits
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings, and team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)