Software Architect

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions Ltd; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free breakfast and lunch daily in on‑s

35-hour working week: Tue–Thu on-site,

£5,000 relocation allowance

Company-supported security clearance

Job summary

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions Ltd. is seeking a senior software architectural lead in Newcastle upon Tyne. You will design and govern the software architecture and CI/CD processes that the engineering team builds across robotics payloads, vehicle automation, computer vision, and simulation.

You will ensure safety-critical compliance, enable scalable, maintainable outcomes, and guide prototypes toward qualification while maintaining pragmatism in an R&D environment.

Qualifications

• Strong background in software architecture design and implementation for safety-critical or compliance-driven systems.
• Hands-on experience with C/C++ and Python in Linux real-time environments.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and work across hardware/software boundaries.
• Experience implementing CI/CD processes for safety-critical software.
• Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent (2:1 minimum).

Responsibilities

• Define and implement end-to-end software architecture and CI/CD pipelines for remote and autonomous systems.
• Establish unit testing, verification and validation processes, and build the evidence base required to satisfy defence safety-critical standards.
• Integrate software architecture across control systems, computer vision, sensor fusion, simulation, and digital twin platforms.
• Support final system integration, commissioning, and real-world field trials with global military end users.

Skills

Software architecture

C/C++

Python

CI/CD for safety-critical

Reading schematics

Education

2:1 minimum in Software Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

ROS/ROS2

OpenCV

CODESYS/PLC

Job description

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne — Hybrid Work from Home

Relocation Package Available

The Role

This is a senior, architecture-level position within the R&D function, reporting to the Head of R&D. You won't be the primary coder — you'll be the person who designs and governs the software architecture and CI/CD process the engineering team builds within.

You'll own the framework ensuring software developed across robotics payloads, vehicle automation, computer vision, sensor integration, digital twins, and simulation is scalable, maintainable, compliant, and defensible to safety-critical standards.

This is an R&D environment, so pragmatism matters: you'll need to let first-off prototypes move forward on the right evidential path without demanding full compliance upfront, while ensuring the architecture and process can scale to full qualification when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement end-to-end software architecture and CI/CD pipelines for remote and autonomous systems
• Establish unit testing, verification and validation processes, and build the evidence base required to satisfy defence safety-critical standards
• Integrate software architecture across control systems, computer vision, sensor fusion, simulation, and digital twin platforms
• Support final system integration, commissioning, and real-world field trials with global military end users

Skills & Experience

• Strong background in software architecture design and implementation for safety-critical or compliance-driven systems
• Hands-on experience with C/C++ and Python in Linux real-time environments
• Ability to read electrical schematics and work across hardware/software boundaries
• Experience implementing CI/CD processes for safety-critical software
• Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent (2:1 minimum)

Advantageous:

• Familiarity with ROS/ROS2
• Experience with machine learning, OpenCV, or CODESYS/PLC environments
• Background in automotive safety systems, defence, robotics, or autonomous vehicle development

The Package

• Free breakfast and lunch daily in the on-site canteen
• 35-hour working week: Tue–Thu on-site, Mon/Fri from home, half-day finish on Fridays
• £5,000 relocation allowance available for the right candidate
• Company-supported security clearance (required for the role)