Principal Software Engineer

Leonardo S.p.A.; Basildon; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Annual bonus

Pension contributions

25 days leave

Diversity & inclusion networks

Job summary

Leonardo is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to drive pivotal technical work within our Integrated Sensors & Protection line. You will develop a new generation of features using innovative C/C++ software across defence projects, collaborating with a world‑class team to continuously improve and deliver market‑leading products.

Security clearance eligibility is required. You will work in a hybrid setup, engaging with systems, hardware, and firmware teams to ensure coherent integration and

Qualifications

• Several years of C/C++ software engineering experience in aerospace, defence, or other mission/safety‑critical domains.
• Networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, UDP, and socket programming.
• Embedded Linux and RTOS concepts, multi‑threading and IPC.

Responsibilities

• Develop a new generation of features and capabilities using innovative software solutions.
• Collaborate with a world‑class team to improve and innovate market‑leading products in defence.
• Mentor and coach engineers to uplift software engineering excellence.

Skills

C/C++ engineering

Networking fundamentals

RTOS concepts

Iterative development lifecycles

Jira / DevOps

Tools

Visual Studio

CMake

Git

Ubuntu Linux

Xilinx / TI processors

Job description

Job Description

The Opportunity Are you a Software Engineer with C++ experience looking for your next challenge? Here at Leonardo, we are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to take on pivotal technical work within our Integrated Sensors & Protection line of business, working on a range of defence projects. Direct industry experience is not required; we are happy to explore all backgrounds and help develop all our software engineers.

What you will do:

We want to develop a new generation of features and capabilities using innovative software solutions and we need you to create them. You will be a key part in a community of world‑class software engineers who will continuously improve, collaborate and innovate with other engineers to create market‑leading products within the defence industry.

What we are looking for:

• Several years of C/C++ software engineering experience in aerospace, defence, or other mission/safety‑critical domains.
• Networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, UDP, and socket programming
• RTOS concepts, such as multi-threading and inter-process communication (IPC) DDS Middleware
• Experience with development tools including: Microsoft Visual Studio CMake Git Ubuntu Linux
• Experience with embedded SoC platforms, such as Xilinx, Texas Instruments, or similar processors
• Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills on embedded platforms
• Embedded Linux custom target hardware development and debugging experience
• Experience of using Iterative development lifecycles (for example tailored Agile.)
• Experience using tools associated with Iterative development lifecycles (Jira / DevOps.)
• Familiarity with development to design and coding standards.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Python scripting for development support
• Experience with Unit Test Frameworks
• Skills in technical risk identification and mitigation across software components.
• Hands‑on delivery with lifecycle experience from requirements through to certification.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and coach engineers, uplifting capability and promoting software engineering excellence.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines, working closely with systems, hardware, and firmware teams to ensure coherent integration.

What you will get:

• Flexible working: We offer our employees the time and flexibility they need to enjoy a balanced life through flexible hours and part time options
• Flexible benefits: Our company‑funded approach to flexible benefits allows employees to make choices appropriate for them. Each employee has access to a wide choice of lifestyle, health and wellbeing options best suited to their individual lifestyle goals.
• Above average employer pension contributions
• Annual bonus
• Annual leave: We offer 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays and 12 flexi days
• Network groups : To demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion we have network groups for Carers (employees who care for someone who is either older, disabled or seriously ill) Enable (supporting people with disabilities) Equalise (development of a gender balanced workforce) Pride (promoting equality for all LGBTQ+ individuals) We also work in partnership with AFBE (Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers).
• To find out about all of our Company benefits please visit: https://uk.leonardocompany.com/en/people-careers/life-at-leonardo/company-benefits

Security Clearance:

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information and guidance, please visit - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Company Overview

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers.

If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Job Details

Primary Location: GB - Basildon

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid

Additional Information

The company’s passionate and talented team is strongly influenced by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) expertise, with a diverse range of experience that enables colleagues to share knowledge and know‑how across the generations. Leonardo always wants to expand its talent pool, here you can find the right opportunity for you!