Principal Software Assurance Practitioner

QinetiQ; Malvern; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence technology company is seeking a Principal Software Assurance Practitioner to ensure that safety-critical software meets required standards. This role involves evaluating software from the development process to source code, working in a collaborative environment partnered with some of the brightest minds. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in aircraft software standards and significant experience in safety-critical software development. Hybrid work options are available.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Options for Health Cash Plan and Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of aircraft software development standards.
• Extensive experience in safety engineering concepts.
• Experience as an Independent Technical Evaluator in a similar environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Independent Technical Evaluations on Aircraft software.
• Assess software development processes and standards.
• Review source code changes and related analysis.

Skills

Aircraft software development

Safety Critical Software development

Technical Evaluation

SPARK Ada

Education

Technical Degree (Computer Science, Maths, Engineering or equivalent)

Job description

Overview

Package: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role ID: SF18685

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Principal Software Assurance Practitioner at our Malvern, Farnborough, Bristol or Boscombe Down sites, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Principal Software Assurance Practitioner you will be part of a team providing an Independent Technical Assessment of the software of safety critical aircraft systems, leading the assessment of third party software for safety and conformance to standards.

Day-to-day, you’ll carry out Independent Technical Evaluation on Aircraft populating an argument for software safety under a goal structure at the highest level.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Establishing that the software is targeted to be developed to a known software standard
• Establishing that process has been followed and the software development and verification process is established and meeting the correct standards
• Evaluating any changes down to the source code level which is written in SPARK Ada and the reviewing of the associated Spark Analysis
• Providing assessment in a format suitable to the project and interface with QinetiQ systems and safety subject matter experts
• Raising any recommendations to be delivered to the customer

Essential experience

• Strong knowledge of aircraft software development and of the recognised software development standards
• Extensive experience of Safety Critical Software development and safety engineering concepts
• Experience working as an Independent Technical Evaluator activity in a similar environment
• Extensive experience working as a software engineer in a Safety Critical environment

Essential qualifications

• A Technical Degree (Computer Science, Maths, Engineering or equivalent) or relevant technical experience

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at either our Malvern, Boscombe Down, Farnborough or Bristol site. Hybrid working patterns are available.

QinetiQ operates state-of-the-art facilities across the UK that focus on defence, security and technology innovation. These facilities enable QinetiQ to conduct a wide range of research, testing and development activities that support both military and civilian applications helping to advance technology and support national security.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential.

Our Careers page highlights our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels value, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which mean factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)