RF Software Engineer

Cambridge Aerospace; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Private Medical & Dental

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Cambridge Aerospace is seeking a Software Engineer to develop embedded software for UAV systems and to build robust SIL/HITL testing environments. You will deploy software on onboard computers and manage GitHub workflows to ensure reliable integration with hardware and perception teams.

The role emphasizes real-time debugging, radar familiarity, and rapid prototyping in MATLAB or Python within a fast-paced R&D setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in C++/Python with real-time/embedded systems.
• Understanding radar fundamentals (range-Doppler, pulse-Doppler).
• Experience with algorithm development and implementation.
• Proficiency in real-time performance optimisation and debugging.
• Familiarity with prototyping in MATLAB or Python.

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, and integrate embedded software for UAV systems.
• Set up and maintain SIL/HITL environments for testing and validation.
• Deploy and optimise software on onboard computers.
• Manage source code and workflows using GitHub (CI/CD, branching, reviews).
• Collaborate with hardware, perception, and flight test teams for integration.
• Contribute to performance improvements and documentation.

Skills

C++

Python

Real-time systems

Embedded systems

Algorithm development

Debugging

Education

BSc/MSc in CS/Robotics/EE

Tools

RTOS (NuttX/ThreadX/RTIC/Zephyr/FreeRTOS/VxWorks/INTEGRITY)

Embedded Linux

Simulink

MATLAB

STM32

Xilinx Zynq

Job description

We are seeking a skilled Software Engineer with experience in embedded systems, autopilot development, and UAV simulation to join our team. The ideal candidate will play a key role in the full software lifecycle, from algorithm development to deployment. You will also set up and maintain Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) test environments to ensure reliability, safety, and robustness of our systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, and integrate embedded software for UAV systems
• Set up, maintain, and improve SIL and HITL environments for testing and validation
• Deploy and optimise software on onboard computers
• Manage source code and workflows using GitHub (CI/CD, branching, reviews, issue tracking)
• Collaborate with hardware, perception, and flight test teams to ensure smooth integration and debugging
• Contribute to performance optimisation, safety improvements, and documentation

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Strong proficiency in C++ and Python, with experience in real-time and embedded systems
• Understanding of radar fundamentals (range-Doppler, pulse-Doppler, detection)
• Experience with algorithm development and implementation
• Real-time systems and performance optimisation
• Debugging and problem-solving skills
• MATLAB or Python for prototyping/analysis

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Experience in fast-paced R&D or startup environments, with rapid prototype iteration times
• Experience with bare-metal, RTOS (ie NuttX, ThreadX, RTIC, Zephyr, FreeRTOS, VxWorks, INTEGRITY), and embedded Linux
• Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing experience
• Simulink or model-based design tools
• Experience with STM32, Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+, etc
• Experience developing for safety-critical systems, i.e., avionics, medical or automotive

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and stock options
• Private Medical & Dental
• Cycle to work scheme

About Us

The mission of Cambridge Aerospace is to eliminate the risk of existential war in Europe. That risk comes from the air – low-cost drones and cruise missiles now manufactured in colossal volumes by our adversaries, ballistic missiles capable of ending the world as we know it, and a new generation of hypersonic weapons that evade every existing defence.

We’re building low-cost interceptors that defeat these threats, and the surveillance systems to detect and target them – at a cost taxpayers can afford, at the pace the threat demands, and with sovereign supply chains that assure delivery.

We have immense backing from the world’s best venture funds. We’re one of the fastest growing defence technology companies in history. And we’re hiring the best engineers to prosecute the mission.

If you are in the top 1%, willing to work harder than you ever have, build technology better than anyone else, and contribute to the defining challenge of our time, now is the time to join us.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.