Principal Software Engineer

TipTopJob; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

TipTopJob is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead embedded and application software, shape the technical direction, and mentor a talented team working on cyber and defence technology. You will drive architecture, coding, testing and documentation to deliver high-quality software for mission-critical programmes.

Based in Maidenhead, United Kingdom, this full-time, on-site role offers autonomy and impact with flexibility around working hours.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, mathematical or science-based subject.
• Extensive embedded product development experience (bare-metal/RTOS/Linux).
• Strong C/C++ experience with solid lifecycle knowledge.
• OO design using SOLID and design patterns.
• Experience with testing, version control, CI and automated tooling.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, implement, document and test embedded and/or application software to a strong project software development process.
• Apply object-oriented design and design patterns to enable re-use and smooth integration with test frameworks.
• Review system design artefacts and derive software requirements and architecture that meet high-level system needs.
• Maintain high-quality software design using modelling tools such as RSA and Enterprise Architect, supporting accurate code generation where required.
• Drive best-practice development, including TDD/BDD, CI, DevSecOps and static/run-time analysis, with a focus on secure software development.
• Lead technical reviews, sign off significant technical documents, and mentor engineers to help the whole team deliver with confidence.

Skills

Embedded software development

C/C++

OO design

Software testing & CI

Education

Degree in engineering/science-based subject

Tools

RSA

Enterprise Architect

Job description

Ready to take a big step in software engineering? As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll lead from the front in embedded and application software, help shape the technical direction, and mentor a talented team working on cutting:edge cyber and defence technology. This Principal Software Engineer role offers real autonomy, meaningful impact, and the chance to deliver high:quality software into complex, mission:critical programmes.

What You Will Do

• Architect, design, implement, document and test embedded and/or application software to a strong project software development process.
• Apply object:oriented design and design patterns to enable re:use and smooth integration with test frameworks.
• Review system design artefacts and derive software requirements and architecture that meet high:level system needs.
• Maintain high:quality software design using modelling tools such as RSA and Enterprise Architect (EA), supporting accurate code generation where required.
• Drive best:practice development, including TDD/BDD, Continuous Integration, DevSecOps and static and run:time analysis, with a focus on secure software development.
• Lead technical reviews, sign off significant technical documents, and mentor engineers to help the whole team deliver with confidence.

What You Will Bring

• A degree in an engineering, mathematical or science:based subject, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience with embedded product development (including bare:metal and RTOSes such as ThreadX, QNX or Linux) and/or embedded Linux application, kernel and/or driver development.
• Strong C or C++ experience, alongside a solid understanding of best:practice software development lifecycles.
• Proven object:oriented design experience using principles such as SOLID and practical design pattern use.
• Experience with software testing and design for test, plus a track record of using version control, continuous integration and automated test tooling.

As a Principal Software Engineer, your leadership directly supports the delivery of advanced cryptographic and key management solutions within the cyber industry. Every programme depends on secure, reliable software, and your expertise will help the team balance requirements, schedule and cost while continuously improving tools and processes. The result is higher quality engineering outcomes and a stronger technical standard across software development and verification.

Location:

Based in Maidenhead, United Kingdom, with full:time onsite working expectations aligned to programme needs. There is good flexibility to working hours

Interested?

If Principal Software Engineer is the next move on the path to greater technical leadership, and take your place in a role where expertise genuinely makes a difference.