Senior Software Engineer

Chess Dynamics; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group pension plan

Income protection scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Life assurance policy

Company shares incentive plan

Job summary

Chess Dynamics seeks a Senior Software Engineer for Naval Systems to develop and maintain real-time embedded software for a leading electro-optics specialist with a UK footprint. You will collaborate with Systems, Mechanical/Electrical and Electronics engineers and contribute to software requirements, design, and fault management.

Occasional on-vessel work and travel may be required. The role emphasizes delivering robust software solutions, maintaining documentation, and supporting integration

Qualifications

• Strong degree in a related discipline.
• Extensive experience writing C/C++ real-time embedded software.
• Experience developing user interfaces.
• Ability to analyse complex technical problems and develop effective solutions.
• Experience maintaining and enhancing existing software applications.
• Serial communications: RS-232/RS-422/UART.
• Networking (TCP/UDP).
• Desirable: VxWorks OS; C#/.NET; SVN/GIT; Jira/Confluence; unit testing tools.

Responsibilities

• Development of software applications from concept design, requirements definition, detailed design, and coding.
• Work with Systems, Mechanical/Electrical and Electronics engineers to ensure project success.
• Maintain oversight of all software requirements and issues for a project.
• Develop robust software with fault management, fault reporting and health status of applications.
• Produce and maintain supporting documentation (interface control docs, user manuals, fault code lists).
• Assist customer integration, commissioning, and problem resolution, including on naval vessels where needed.

Skills

C/C++ real-time embedded programming

Systems integration with hardware

UI development

Fault analysis and debugging

Serial communications RS-232/RS-422/U0

Networking TCP/UDP

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related discipline

Tools

SVN

GIT

Jira

Confluence

VxWorks

C#/.NET

Job description

Role Purpose

An exciting opportunity as a Senior Software Engineer for Naval Systems in an established, expanding electro-optics specialist organisation with a global footprint. Chess Dynamics is a leading design & manufacturing business, with several sites across the UK. Our product range delivers capability to the Naval, Land and Security sectors with cutting-edge technology and services, ensuring innovation is at the heart of everything we do.

Role Purpose

An exciting opportunity as a Senior Software Engineer for Naval Systems in an established, expanding electro-optics specialist organisation with a global footprint. Chess Dynamics is a leading design & manufacturing business, with several sites across the UK. Our product range delivers capability to the Naval, Land and Security sectors with cutting‑edge technology and services, ensuring innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Due to the nature of the working environment, the role requires the ability to safely navigate steep ladders, narrow and often obstructed passageways and confined areas aboard naval vessels, with an appropriate level of mobility.

Key Responsibilities

• Development of software applications from concept design, requirements definition, detailed design, and coding
• Working with Systems, Mechanical/Electrical and Electronics engineers as part of a team to ensure project success
• Maintaining oversight of all software requirements and issues for a project
• Develop robust software with particular attention to fault management, fault reporting and health status of applications
• Produce, maintain related supporting documentations (interface control documentation, input to user manuals, fault code lists and actions)
• Work with customers to assist integration, commissioning, and problem resolution activities, occasional attendance onboard naval vessels is required; candidate must be able to safely access and work in these environments.
• Understand the customer’s technical needs and concept of operations and feed this into wider project requirements
• Work with the Project Manager, Technical Authority and Quality team as required to identify risks, issues, solutions, and opportunities
• Ensure significant developments and actions are communicated to relevant personnel in the engineering team, and providing technical input to the project manager to allow them to generate and maintain the project plan and monthly project review packs

Essential

Skills & Experience

• Strong degree in a related discipline
• Extensive experience writing C/C++ real-time embedded software and good general appreciation of associated hardware
• Experience of developing user interfaces
• Ability to analyse complex technical problems and develop effective solutions.
• Experience maintaining and enhancing existing software applications.
• Serial communications: RS-232/RS-422/UART
• Networking (TCP/UDP)

Desirable

• Experience with VxWorks OS
• Experience developing Windows applications using C#/.NET or similar technologies.
• Use of source control, particularly SVN and GIT
• Use of Jira and Confluence for software requirements and task capture
• Experience of using unit testing tools and Static code analysis

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrates our company values of Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence and Courage
• Highly organised and methodical approach, with an eye for detail
• The ability to work independently when required
• A flexible, conscientious, and diligent attitude
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and written skills (minimum English CEFR Level C1 equivalent)
• A resilient and adaptable approach at all times

Work Life Balance

• 37.5 hour working week
• Lunchtime finishes on a Friday
• Hybrid / flexible working arrangements
• 28 days annual leave
• Christmas closure
• Holiday purchasing scheme

Benefits

• Group pension plan – matched contributions up to 5%
• Income protection scheme and Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Assistance Programme gives you and your family access to 4 key services including remote GP service, second opinion, mental health pathway service and physiotherapy consultations
• Life assurance policy, including bereavement counselling and probate helpline
• Company shares incentive plan and save as you earn scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Wellbeing initiatives, including access to wellbeing app and the addition of mental health support for all employees. Plus, regular activities across our sites to support and promote wellbeing
• Regular sports and social activities
• Gym membership discounts
• Reward platform (high street discounts, employee benefits, health, and wellbeing offerings).
• Recruitment referral bonus scheme
• Excellent learning & development opportunities
• Great working environment with free, onsite car parking across all our locations

Security Clearance Requirements

Due to the nature of our business, our staff need to be able to obtain UK Security Clearance as a mandated requirement. Therefore, if successful, you will need to provide proof of identity, employment history and right to work in the UK, along with proof of UK residency for at least five years.