Senior Embedded Software Lead – Aerospace & Defence

Leonardo UK Ltd; Caddington; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time to Recharge

Pension scheme

Private healthcare

Flexible working

Learning & courses

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd in Luton seeks an experienced Lead Software Engineer to take pivotal Technical Authority roles within EW and Future Combat Air programmes. You will lead technical direction, define software architecture, and ensure DO-178C compliance across safety-critical software lifecycles.

The role requires mentoring engineers, collaborating across disciplines, and acting as the technical lead during audits, with strong emphasis on governance and legacy systems familiarity.

Qualifications

• Several years of embedded software engineering experience in aerospace, defence, or other mission/safety-critical domains.
• Ability to set technical direction, defining software architecture and design strategies aligned with platform and system goals.
• Experience ensuring compliance with DO-178C standards or equivalent, and adherence to governance processes.
• Strong skills in technical risk identification and mitigation across software components.
• Hands-on delivery of DO-178C software or equivalent, with lifecycle experience from requirements through to certification.
• Background in technical leadership, including architectural design, risk mitigation, or governance.

Responsibilities

• Take on pivotal Technical Authority roles within EW and Future Combat Air programmes based in Luton.
• Lead technical direction and influence strategy for critical software components or projects.
• Define software architecture and ensure alignment with system goals and safety standards.
• Mentor and coach engineers to uplift capability and promote engineering excellence.
• Collaborate across systems, hardware, and firmware teams to ensure coherent integration.
• Act as the accountable technical lead during audits and reviews.

Skills

Embedded software

Technical direction

DO-178C

Technical risk

DO-178C delivery

Technical leadership

Mentorship

Legacy systems

Export controls

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Technical lead audits

Job description

Leonardo UK Ltd in Luton seeks an experienced Lead Software Engineer to take pivotal Technical Authority roles within EW and Future Combat Air programmes. You will lead technical direction, define software architecture, and ensure DO-178C compliance across safety-critical software lifecycles.

The role requires mentoring engineers, collaborating across disciplines, and acting as the technical lead during audits, with strong emphasis on governance and legacy systems familiarity.