Principal Software Engineer – Safety-Critical & Autonomous Systems

Spectrum IT Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectrum IT Recruitment is seeking a Principal Software Engineer for London-based, hybrid-working teams developing safety-critical autonomous systems. You will lead real-time software work, shape architecture, and mentor engineers while collaborating closely with the CTO.

Ideal candidates bring embedded C/C++, C++, Python, and strong Agile/Scrum facilitation experience in mission-critical domains such as aviation, aerospace, drones, or autonomous vehicles, with DO-178C/ISO 26262 familiarity as a

Qualifications

• Experience developing software in mission-critical or safety-critical real-time environments.
• Experience in autonomous systems, robotics or flight software (aviation, aerospace, drones/UAVs, autonomous vehicles, MOD/defence or similar).
• Role may suit Quant Engineers with real-time systems experience.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Embedded C

C++

Python

Agile Scrum

Real-time systems

Software architecture

DO-178C

Job description

Principal Software Engineer – Safety-Critical & Autonomous Systems

London | Hybrid Working

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)