Software Architect

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions Ltd; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension match 8%

Relocation allowance

Hybrid schedule

Security clearance

35-hour week

Job summary

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions Ltd is seeking a Software Architect in Newcastle upon Tyne on a hybrid basis. You will define the architecture and CI/CD framework underpinning robotics defence technology projects, spanning autonomous vehicles, computer vision and sensor integration.

The role is senior and architecture-focused, not day-to-day coding. You will shape the evidence trail for safety-critical standards and ensure scalable, maintainable software across the development lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Designing and implementing software architecture for safety-critical systems.
• Hands-on C/C++ and Python in Linux real-time environments.
• Reading electrical schematics and working across HW/SW boundaries.
• CI/CD experience for safety-critical software.
• Degree in Software Engineering or CS (2:1 or above).
• Familiarity with ROS/ROS2.
• Experience with ML, OpenCV or CODESYS/PLC environments.
• Background in automotive safety, defence, robotics or autonomous vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end software architecture and CI/CD pipelines for remote and autonomous systems.
• Set up unit testing, verification and validation to meet defence safety-critical standards.
• Integrate control systems, computer vision, sensor fusion, simulation and digital twins.
• Support system integration, commissioning and field trials with global military end users.

Skills

Safety-critical architecture

C/C++

Python

ROS/ROS2

CI/CD

Electrical schematics

Machine learning

OpenCV

CODESYS/PLC

Automotive/defence robotics

Real-time Linux

Education

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science (2:1 or above)

Job description

Software Architect: Robotics Defence Technology R&D

Newcastle upon Tyne + Hybrid Work from Home - Relocation Paid

Up to £75,000 basic + 10k signing bonus + Excellent Benefits package

Shape the software foundations of a fast-growing robotics defence technology business. As Software Architect, you'll set the architecture and CI/CD framework that an entire R&D engineering team builds on, from robotic payloads to autonomous vehicles.

The role

You'll report to the Head of R&D in a senior, architecture-level position. This isn't a day-to-day coding job. You'll design and govern how software is built, tested and evidenced across robotics payloads, vehicle automation, computer vision, sensor integration, digital twins and simulation. Your aim is to keep that software scalable, maintainable and defensible to safety-critical standards.

This is a real R&D environment, so pragmatism matters. You'll let early prototypes move quickly on a proportionate evidence trail, without demanding full compliance on day one. You'll also make sure the architecture and processes can scale to full qualification when the time comes.

What you'll do

• Define and implement end-to-end software architecture and CI/CD pipelines for remote and autonomous systems.
• Set up unit testing, verification and validation processes, and build the evidence base needed to meet defence safety-critical standards.
• Bring together control systems, computer vision, sensor fusion, simulation and digital twin platforms into one coherent architecture.
• Support system integration, commissioning and field trials with global military end users.

What you'll bring

• A strong background in designing and implementing software architecture for safety-critical or compliance-driven systems
• Hands-on C/C++ and Python experience in Linux real-time environments
• The ability to read electrical schematics and work confidently across the hardware/software boundary
• Experience implementing CI/CD for safety-critical software
• A degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent (2:1 or above)
• Familiarity with ROS/ROS2
• Experience with machine learning, OpenCV or CODESYS/PLC environments
• A background in automotive safety systems, defence, robotics or autonomous vehicles

What's on offer

• £70,000 basic salary plus bonus
• Annual bonus
• 8% matched salary sacrifice pension
• A 35-hour week: on-site Tuesday to Thursday, home working Monday and Friday, with a half-day finish on Fridays
• Up to £5,000 relocation allowance for the right candidate
• Company-sponsored security clearance (required for the role)