Senior Software Assurance Consultant

QinetiQ; Malvern; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence technology firm in the UK is seeking a Senior Software Assurance Consultant to conduct independent assessments of software safety for critical aircraft systems. You will work closely with subject matter experts and evaluate third-party software against military standards. This position offers a competitive salary and is based in Malvern, with flexible hybrid working patterns.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Health Cash Plan options

Employee discount portal

Volunteering Opportunities

Qualifications

• Experienced technical assessor or software engineer with an aviation background.
• Ability to construct and convey logical arguments effectively.
• Knowledge of recognized software development standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical evaluation on software safety for aircraft systems.
• Establish software baselines and compliance with standards.
• Evaluate changes to source code for safety impacts.

Skills

Technical assessment skills

Strong communication skills

Knowledge of aircraft software development

Safety critical software development knowledge

Analytical skills

Understanding of SPARK Ada Toolset

Tools

SPARK Ada

HOOD design tool

Job description

Package: Competitive Salary + Benefits

The Role

As a Senior Software Assurance Consultant, you will be part of a team that provides an Independent Technical Assessment of the software of safety critical/related aircraft systems and provide advice on airworthiness issues related to those systems. Working on the latest military platforms, you will lead the assessment of third party software and/or software documentation for adequate safety and conformance to standards.

Day-to-day, you’ll carry out Technical Evaluation (ITE) on the Eurofighter (EF) Typhoon Aircraft, Interfacing closely with QinetiQ Systems and Safety Subject Matter Experts (SME) and, where possible, attend Industry software reviews (Requirements, Design, Verification and Product Configuration Reviews) at the request of the Customer as part of Through-Life Independent Technical Evaluation (TL-ITE);

Your responsibilities will include:

• Establish that a baseline exists for the software under review and that the software is targeted to be developed to a known software standard
• Establish that the software development and verification process is established, meets the standard and that the process has been followed
• Establish that the product produced according to the standard is suitable for use in terms of safety and, where issues are found, the impact of those issues and whether they affect safety should be determined and recorded. This may involve liaison with other disciplines within QinetiQ
• Raising any recommendation to be delivered to the customer
• Evaluating the changes down to the source code level which is written in SPARK Ada and review of the associated SPARK Analysis
• Apply military and/or civil standards for software safety (including Def Stan 00-56, Def Stan 00-55, DO-178x) to provide accurate and trusted technical assurance to the wider team

Essential experience of the Senior Software Assurance Consultant:

• An experienced technical assessor or someone looking to move into this field with a software engineering / Aviation background
• Strong communication skills will enable you to construct and convey logical arguments effectively whilst your analytical skills will allow you to analysis in a pragmatic and effective way
• Knowledge of aircraft Software development and of the recognised Software development standards (usually the Eurofighter development standards but could be a commercial standard such as RTCA/DO-178)
• Knowledge of safety critical Software development, and safety engineering concepts/vocabularyli>Previous demonstrable ITE activity in a similar environment
• Understanding of SPARK Ada Toolset and the HOOD design tool

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at Malvern. Hybrid working patterns are available.

Malvern

The Malvern facility is noted for its work in electronic warfare, surveillance and complex system integration, contributing significantly to the UK’s defence capabilities. Developing technologies for military and civilian applications, including sensors, communications and cyber security.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process:

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)