Lead Software Engineer - DO-178C / Embedded C

Matchtech; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 111,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to support mission- and safety-critical systems in defence and aerospace. You will lead embedded real-time development in C/C++ under DO-178C Level A, ensuring traceability and rigorous verification across the software lifecycle.

The role involves deriving requirements, architekting designs, and collaborating with cross-functional teams on hardware integration, with hybrid working in Cheltenham on a 6-month contract basis.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in bare-metal, real-time embedded systems in C
• Deep knowledge of DO-178C Level A standards and documentation
• Experience with safety-critical systems and certification requirements (MC/DC)

Responsibilities

• Derive software requirements at high and low levels
• Architect and document software designs and detailed designs
• Develop bare-metal, real-time embedded software in C/C++
• Implement safety-critical software for embedded modular platform
• Coordinate full software development lifecycle activities
• Ensure DO-178C Level A compliance including traceability and testing
• Conduct design reviews, code reviews, and verification activities
• Collaborate with hardware, systems and test teams for integration

Skills

C/C++

Real-time

Embedded systems

Safety-critical

DO-178C

MC/DC testing

RTOS

Debugging tools

Traceability

Leadership

Tools

RTOS concepts

Job description

Location: Cheltenham (hybrid working)

Duration: 6 month contract

Inside IR35

Role details:

Our client is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to support the development of mission- and safety-critical systems within the defence and aerospace sector. This contract role is suited to an experienced embedded software professional with strong real-time programming expertise and comprehensive knowledge of DO-178C Level A compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Derive high-level and low-level software requirements
• Author software architectures and detailed design documentation
• Develop bare-metal, real-time embedded software using C and C++
• Implement safety-critical software for an embedded modular platform
• Manage activities across the full software development lifecycle
• Ensure compliance with DO-178C Level A processes, including traceability, testing and quality assurance
• Conduct design reviews, code reviews, verification and validation activities
• Collaborate with hardware, systems and test engineering teams to support effective integration

Job Requirements:

• Significant experience developing bare-metal, real-time embedded systems in C
• Strong proficiency in Embedded C/C++ and real-time software design
• In-depth knowledge of DO-178C Level A standards, processes and documentation
• Experience working with safety-critical systems and certification requirements, including MC/DC testing
• Understanding of RTOS concepts and embedded modular platforms
• Familiarity with debugging tools, hardware interfaces and safety analysis techniques
• Experience with software requirements, design, implementation, testing and verification
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills

Desirable Experience:

• Experience within aerospace, defence or another high-reliability engineering environment
• Knowledge of related safety-critical standards such as ARP4754, ARINC 653, DO-254 or DO-248
• Understanding of hardware and software integration and hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Experience reporting project status and contributing to programme reviews

This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of advanced safety-critical technology used across defence, aerospace and unmanned systems. If you have the required Embedded C/C++ and DO-178C expertise,