Senior Embedded Software Engineer

ALTEN; Crawley; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle & Tech Scheme

Employee assistance programme

Life insurance & Pension Scheme

Flexible working (role dependent)

Job summary

ALTEN is seeking a senior embedded C++ engineer in Crawley to design, implement, and maintain real-time software for high‑reliability communication and signal‑processing systems used in defence environments. You will contribute to next‑generation technologies, ensuring robustness, security, and deterministic performance across embedded platforms.

Eligible for UK SC clearance, on-site 4 days a week, with senior-level responsibilities and cross‑disciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• Experience with embedded C++ in defence or critical systems.
• Strong understanding of secure coding practices and governance.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain embedded C++ software for real‑time comms and signal processing.
• Develop software for embedded modems, RF components and related hardware.
• Debug, optimise, and test performance across embedded targets under load.
• Produce design specifications, requirements, and documentation aligned with regulated practices.
• Ensure secure coding standards and adherence to development governance.

Skills

C++ (embedded)

Embedded debugging

Performance optimisation

Secure coding

Requirements tracing

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering/CS

Tools

CI/CD tooling

Model-based design

Static analysis tools

Job 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 & 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 to develop embedded C++ software for high‑reliability communication and information‑exchange systems used in defence environments. You’ll contribute to next‑generation communication and signal‑processing technologies, working across embedded platforms that demand robustness, security, and deterministic performance. This role is ideal for an engineer experienced in embedded C++ who enjoys contributing to complex systems that underpin secure and mission‑critical operations.

Location: Crawley

On‑site: 4 days per week

Seniority: Senior (8+ years of experience)

Clearance: Candidates must be willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain embedded C++ software for real‑time communication and signal‑processing systems.
• Develop and support software for embedded communication modules, modems, and RF‑adjacent components.
• Conduct debugging, optimisation, and performance testing across embedded targets to ensure reliability under operational loads.
• Produce clear and traceable design specifications, requirements, and documentation aligned with regulated development practices.
• Ensure adherence to secure coding standards, governance policies, and safety‑critical development procedures.
• Support integration activities with wider engineering teams and contribute to architecture and design reviews.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Strong proficiency in C++ for embedded systems (C++11/14/17).
• Experience in embedded development for communications or signalling systems (modems, radios, data links, or similar).
• Familiarity with embedded debugging, performance optimisation, and hardware‑software interaction.
• Understanding of secure coding practices, configuration management, and development governance.
• Experience with requirements traceability, verification, and system‑level testing.

Soft Skills & Collaboration

• Strong communication skills for cross‑discipline collaboration.
• Ability to work rigorously within regulated environments.
• Proactive, problem‑solving mindset with attention to detail.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.
• Must be eligible to hold or already hold UK SC Security Clearance.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with communication stacks, DSP concepts, or RF‑adjacent technologies.
• Familiarity with embedded Linux or RTOS environments.
• Experience with CI/CD tooling, model‑based design, or static analysis tools.
• Background in defence, avionics, or secure‑systems engineering.

Additional Information

Why join us?

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 at interview.