Senior Embedded Software and Integration Engineer

ALTEN; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle & Tech Scheme

Employee assistance programme

Life insurance

Pension Scheme

Job summary

ALTEN is seeking a Senior Embedded Communications and Integration Engineer in Stevenage to deliver complex, mission-critical systems within the defence sector. This role blends embedded software, communications, and system integration, translating between dissimilar standards and debugging real hardware in the lab.

You will work on risk reduction activities, collaborating with systems and electronics teams, and support the integration of COTS/MOTS equipment into safety-critical architectures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline.
• Willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance.
• Experience in defence, avionics, or safety-critical environments is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and document application-level drivers for imposed COTS/MOTS equipment.
• Implement and validate communications translations across multiple protocols (Ethernet, CAN, Modbus).
• Support lab-based integration, compatibility testing, and system bring-up activities.
• Identify, diagnose, and resolve interoperability and communications issues early in the integration lifecycle.
• Work closely with the Systems Architect to close technical risks and support architectural decisions.
• Interface with electronics and software SMEs to implement low-level integration solutions.

Skills

Embedded software

Systems integration

C/C++ programming

Lab debugging

Hardware interfacing

Defence safety-critical

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Software/Electronic/Systems Engineering

Tools

Logic analyzers

Protocol sniffers

Vendor APIs

Job description

Company Description

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement and support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting‑edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow's world‑today.

Join us and start building tomorrow's world today!

Job Description

Join our team as a Senior Embedded Communications and Integration Engineer and play a key role in delivering complex, mission‑critical systems within the defence sector. This role sits at the intersection of embedded software, communications, and system integration, supporting the integration of imposed COTS/MOTS equipment into larger, safety‑critical architectures.

You will work in a hands‑on engineering environment, translating between dissimilar communication standards, debugging real hardware in the lab, and supporting system de‑risking activities in close collaboration with systems and electronics teams.

Location: Stevenage
On‑site: Remote with occasional site visits
Seniority: Senior (8+ years' experience)
Clearance: Candidates must be willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and document application‑level drivers for imposed COTS/MOTS equipment
• Implement and validate communications translations across multiple protocols (e.g. Ethernet, CAN, Modbus)
• Support lab‑based integration, compatibility testing, and system bring‑up activities
• Identify, diagnose, and resolve interoperability and communications issues early in the integration lifecycle
• Work closely with the Systems Architect to close technical risks and support architectural decisions
• Interface with electronics and software SMEs to agree and implement low‑level integration solutions

Required Skills

• Strong background as an embedded software or systems integration engineer
• Excellent low‑level software capability using C and/or C++
• Experience working with black‑box COTS/MOTS equipment and vendor‑supplied APIs
• Proven hands‑on lab and debug experience using tools such as logic analysers, protocol sniffers, and similar
• Demonstrated experience translating between dissimilar communications standards
• Background delivering solutions in defence, avionics, or other safety‑critical environments

Soft Skills & Collaboration

• Pragmatic, solutions‑focused engineering mindset
• Strong communicator across systems, software, and electronics disciplines
• Comfortable working in ambiguous problem spaces and de‑risking complex integrations
• Takes ownership of technical problems through to resolution

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with additional communications protocols or networked systems
• Exposure to avionics, defence, or safety‑regulated programmes
• Understanding of integration and verification activities at system level
• Familiarity with working alongside suppliers and external technical stakeholders

Additional Information

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech‑driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you'll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get:

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes.

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.