Senior HPC Software Engineer

AWE; England; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior HPC Software Engineer to assist with porting codes, design software modules, and develop benchmarks. Candidates should have a PhD or relevant experience and strong programming skills. This role offers a competitive package and unique benefits, including a 9-day working fortnight.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Market leading contributory pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Professional Career Development

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

Discounts on everyday spending

Special Leave Policy for volunteering

Qualifications

• PhD with at least 4 years relevant experience or BSc/MSc with 6-8 years relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance for porting codes to new platforms.
• Design, code, test, install, and maintain software modules.
• Produce suitable online documentation.
• Interact with vendors, universities, and US laboratories.
• Undertake research level investigation of advanced techniques.
• Develop relevant benchmarks for system assessment.
• Maintain awareness of developments in the HPC field.

Skills

Programming in C, C++, Fortran

Knowledge of computer architectures

Parallel programming concepts

Understanding of software development life cycles

Experience in Unix/Linux environment

Familiarity with scripting languages (bash, python)

Education

PhD in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics

BSc/MSc in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics

Job description

Overview

Senior HPC Software Engineer

Closing Date: 2nd October 2025

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

Package: £47,860 - £65,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience). A relocation package may also be available with this role (terms & conditions apply).

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Responsibilities

• Providing appropriate assistance for porting specific codes to new platforms.
• Designing, coding, testing, installing, and maintaining software modules.
• Producing suitable online documentation.
• Interacting with vendors, universities, and US laboratories on leading-edge research.
• Undertaking research level investigation of advanced novel techniques for solution of multi-physics problems.
• Developing relevant benchmarks for assessing current and future systems.
• Maintaining an awareness of current and future developments in the HPC field.

Who are we looking for?

We do need you to have the following:

• A PhD in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or other numerate discipline plus at least 4 years relevant experience.

OR

• A BSc/MSc Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or other numerate discipline plus at least 6-8 years relevant experience.

Experience and skills

• The ability to programme in C, C++, Fortran, or a similar high-level language.
• Knowledge of computer architectures, in particular, parallel architectures (including accelerators such as GPUs) and their applicability to running large scientific calculations.
• Familiarity with parallel programming concepts - both threading and MPI style parallelism.
• An understanding of software development life cycles.
• An interest in processing technologies: software, hardware, and algorithms together with their use and application.
• Experience of using debuggers and performance analysis tools would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of open-source software.
• Experience of working in Unix/Linux environment.
• Ability to capture software requirements and produce appropriate implementations.
• Software testing experience.
• Familiarity with scripting languages - e.g., bash, python.
• Ability to write in clear and concise language on technical matters and summarise and present such material effectively.

You'll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.

Benefits and working at AWE

• 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

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