Software Architect

MBDA UK; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation in the UK seeks a Software Architect to develop and oversee the full software architecture. This role involves designing solutions, collaborating with engineering teams, and influencing software engineering strategies. Ideal candidates should have a strong programming background and experience in modern software architecture techniques. This position offers dynamic hybrid working arrangements and a competitive salary up to £80,000, alongside substantial benefits including a company bonus and flexible working options.

Benefits

Company bonus up to 21% of base salary

Pension contributions up to 14%

Flexible working arrangements

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals and free parking

Qualifications

• Strong technical practitioner comfortable with architectural decisions.
• Knowledge of software architecture techniques and design patterns.
• Experience with model-based engineering.
• Ability to mentor and communicate software architecture solutions.

Responsibilities

• Author the full software architecture with delivery teams.
• Define Structural and Temporal Architecture including interfaces.
• Collaborate with other Architects and Technical Specialists.

Skills

Architectural and design decisions

Software architecture techniques

Model-based engineering

Technical mentorship

Continuous integration

Software abstraction layers

Programming background

Job description

Overview

Bristol This is a fantastic role for a Software Architect or someone with strong software design skills looking to take the next jump in their career to becoming a Software Architect!

Salary

Salary: up to circa £80,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working

Dynamic (hybrid) working: typically 3 to 4 days per week on-site, due to workload classification

Security Clearance

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you

• Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 21% of base salary
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more

The opportunity:

As a Software Architect, you will be the author of the full software architecture working with the software delivery teams to define and monitor the Structural and Temporal Architecture including the Internal/External interfaces of the product to meet requirements.

• Identify, document and be responsible for the design drivers for the software solution e.g. real-time performance, safety, security, user experience, simplicity, reusability, flexibility.
• Produce derived and emergent requirements capturing the assumptions and rationale.
• Define the architecture to a point where the implementation decisions do not affect the integrity of the architecture.

Collaboration is critical within this role from working closely with other Architects, Technical Specialists and wider engineering key contacts, supporting the wider design activities and reviews.

You will also have the opportunity to influence the Software Engineering Technology Strategy, Software Product Lines, new technologies, obsolescence, new methods and tools, by considering longer-term architectural strategies by being part of special interest groups and communities of interests.

You would be working with technology that is at the forefront of European missile system design, helping to develop safe, secure and reliable products that our customers can depend upon!

What we're looking for from you

• A strong technical practitioner, comfortable with making important architectural and design decisions.
• Knowledge of modern and established software architecture techniques and design patterns.
• Experience of model based engineering.
• Able to provide technical mentorship, clearly articulate software architecture solutions and collaborate with software developers.
• Able to communicate clearly and accurately at different levels, including influencing collaborators and internal customers.
• An advocate for the benefits of key software engineering practices like continuous integration and good design.
• Able to assess and communicate the trade-offs between various aspects of a Software Architecture with a focus on design rationale.
• An understanding of software abstraction layers and the software stack.
• The experience to define and influence the tools, frameworks and technologies used.
• A strong programming background, preferably with experience in more than one language.

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

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