Principal Software Engineer (Safety-Critical)

Spectrum IT Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectrum IT Recruitment is helping a growing technology business recruit a Principal Software Engineer to lead real-time embedded development for autonomous systems in London. Hybrid working and close collaboration with the CTO are key aspects of the role.

You will drive architecture, mentor engineers, review code and ensure high-quality software across safety-critical real-time environments such as aviation, drones, or autonomous vehicles.

Qualifications

• Senior/Lead/Principal level experience with Embedded C, C++ and Python.
• Experience with embedded software, real-time systems and hardware/software integration.
• Strong leadership and Agile/Scrum facilitation skills.
• Understanding of software architecture, testing and controlled development lifecycles.
• Familiarity with DO-178C, ISO 26262 or IEC 61508 is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead real-time software development and architectural decisions.
• Translate technical priorities into actionable engineering plans.
• Facilitate sprint planning, stand-ups and retrospectives.
• Mentor engineers, review code and maintain software quality.

Skills

Embedded C

C++

Python

Real-time systems

Agile/Scrum

Software architecture

Code review

DO-178C

ISO 26262

IEC 61508

Job description

We're looking for an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join a growing technology business developing complex autonomous systems.

Reporting directly to the CTO, you'll combine hands-on engineering with technical leadership, shaping architecture, supporting engineers and facilitating Scrum delivery.

Experience developing software in mission-critical or safety-critical real-time environments is essential. Ideally, you'll bring experience in autonomous systems, robotics or flight software, within aviation, aerospace, drones/UAVs, autonomous vehicles, MOD/defence or similar.

This role could also be suited to Quant Engineers with experience working across real-time systems.

Location: - London - hybrid working.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading real-time software development and architectural decisions.
• Translating technical priorities into clear engineering plans.
• Facilitating sprint planning, stand-ups and retrospectives.
• Mentoring engineers, reviewing code and maintaining software quality.

What we're looking for:

• Senior, Lead or Principal-level experience, with development skills in Embedded C, C++ and Python.
• Experience with embedded software, real-time systems and hardware/software integration.
• Strong technical leadership and Agile/Scrum facilitation skills.
• Understanding of software architecture, testing and controlled development lifecycles.
• Familiarity with DO-178C, ISO 26262 or IEC 61508 (nice to have)