Sensor Fusion Software Engineer

Saab AB; Leighton Buzzard; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence and security company in the UK is seeking a Sensor Fusion Lead in Leighton Buzzard. This role involves architecting and developing sensor fusion applications, leading a small team, and working collaboratively on cutting-edge projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in embedded C++ development and expertise in sensor fusion and navigation technologies. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative defence solutions.

Qualifications

• Strong experience with embedded C++ development.
• Knowledge of Kalman filters for sensor fusion.
• Understanding of quality and safety standards for software.

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop current sensor fusion capabilities.
• Lead software development for sensor fusion projects.
• Engage with engineers and leadership to meet needs.

Skills

Developing embedded C++ applications

Sensor fusion and navigation tools

Data processing and analysis

Software architecture for embedded systems

Collaboration

Good communication skills

Tools

Mathworks products

Linux

Matlab/Simulink

CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins)

Job description

Introduction

Saab in UK is growing rapidly, with over 500 colleagues across eight sites. We bring together Swedish heritage and British expertise to drive innovation in areas such as software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training. Joining Saab in UK means contributing to the security and resilience of society while building a career with real scope for personal and professional growth.

What you will be part of

Explore a wealth of possibilities. Take on challenges, create smart inventions, and grow beyond. This is a place for curious minds, brave pioneers, and everyone in between. Together, we achieve the extraordinary, each bringing our unique perspectives. Your part matters.

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 26,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world.

Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations. Read more about us.

The Role

This role is part of Saab BlueBear in Bedfordshire.

You will be required to support a mixture of R&D and product development activities and will be keen to get involved in all development areas, and have a good track history / proven track record in both problem solving and quality software development.

Your role as a Sensor Fusion Lead will involve architecting, designing, implementing and testing embedded applications primarily focused around sensor suite integration and fusion. You may also lead a small team of other engineers. Tasks will generally involve architecting software systems and features that facilitate our state of the art methods for navigation in a variety of environments using our in‑house fleet of UAVs.

Key Responsibilities

• Primarily, your role will be to maintain, architect and develop our current sensor fusion capabilities and add new features in a structured and maintainable manner under direction of product owner (Head of Digital Systems).
• Research, architect, design and test sensor fusion algorithms using Mathworks products.
• Technically lead the software development for sensor fusion activities to deliver new features and capabilities to our autonomy and UAV systems.
• Ensure the sensor fusion software considers and implements redundancy, real‑time, safety/critical and security objectives.
• actively engage with other engineers, teams and leadership to ensure needs are understood and met.
• Gain system wide knowledge and become a subject matter expert in the sensor fusion field.
• Ensure sensor fusion knowledge transfer through written and other methods to the rest of the team.
• Gain understanding and technically contribute to the wider software team and software projects.

Skills and Experience

• Strong working experience of developing embedded C++ applications.
• Knowledge of state estimation / sensor fusion / navigation tools and techniques e.g. Kalman filters.
• Knowledge of the principles and characteristics of sensors and sensing processes.
• Experience in data processing and analysis.
• Experience in sensor selection, evaluation and modelling.
• Understanding of flight mechanics.
• Software architecture skills for embedded systems and/or backend/server‑based applications taking into account constraints of performance, security and redundancy.
• Looks to work collaboratively rather than in isolation.
• Knowledge of GNSS and other positioning technologies (e.g. visual navigation).
• Working knowledge of Linux and/or real‑time operating systems such as FreeRTOS.
• Good understanding of development tool chain for debugging and problem solving using e.g. gdb.
• Knowledge of networking (e.g. TCP/IP).
• Knowledge of serial interfaces (e.g. RS422/485).
• Able to use (or even create) CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins or similar.
• Knowledge of Matlab/Simulink.
• Testing (unit, integration) and/or test automation experience.
• Experience as a technical leader.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers.
• Understanding of quality, safety and security standards for software (e.g. DO‑178).
• Good communication skills for internal and external technical discussions.
• Knowledge of any of the following MQTT, DDS and GIS.
• Existing SC clearance would be advantageous.

By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: baseline personnel security checks, national security vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.