Software Development Engineer

Techniche Global Ltd; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

On-site work

Hybrid option possible

Job summary

Techniche Global Ltd in Farnborough is seeking a Software Development Engineer who understands the engineering behind autonomous systems and can craft production-quality software to solve real-world problems. This role focuses beyond writing code, requiring ownership of technical work packages and mentoring others.

You will work on design, development, modelling, integration and testing of autonomous control systems for crewed and uncrewed aircraft, with initial five days onsite and potential

Qualifications

• Software capability is valued over aerospace background.
• 4–7 years' commercial experience.
• Ability to own technical work packages and mentor junior engineers.
• Not just writing code—solve engineering problems through software.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, model, integrate and test autonomous control systems for crewed and uncrewed aircraft.
• Take ownership of technical work and drive projects.
• Mentor or direct junior engineers within multidisciplinary teams.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver production-quality software.

Skills

C

C++

MATLAB

Python

Autonomy

Control systems

Systems engineering

Algorithm development

Modelling & Simulation

UAVs

Education

Aerospace Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Electronic Engineering

Physics

Applied Mathematics

Computer Science

Job description

We are working with a global Software, Systems & Engineering company in the Defence Sector, supporting them with appointing a Software Development Engineer. This is not a traditional software development role. They're looking for engineers who understand the engineering behind autonomous systems and can develop production-quality software to solve complex real-world problems. The successful candidate will work on the design, development, modelling, integration and testing of autonomous control systems for both crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

Salary: £47,250-£52,500 + benefits

Location: Farnborough - Initially 5 days onsite. Longer-term hybrid may be possible (typically 3+ days onsite) once established.

Duration: perm, full time

Requirements: sole UK nationals or dual nationals living and working in the UK for the past 5 years

What They're Looking For

The hiring managers stressed that software capability is more important than an aerospace background. Ideal candidates will have around 4–7 years' commercial experience and be comfortable taking ownership of technical work packages while mentoring or directing more junior engineers. They are not looking for someone who simply writes code—they want engineers who can solve engineering problems through software.

Ideal Backgrounds

• Software Development Engineer
• Software Engineer
• Software Developer
• Autonomy Engineer
• Autonomous Systems Engineer
• Control Systems Engineer
• Robotics Engineer
• Algorithm Engineer
• Simulation Engineer
• Systems Engineer
• Research Engineer
• Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer
• AI / Machine Learning Engineer (Autonomy focused)

Industries could include:

• Defence
• Aerospace
• Aviation
• Robotics
• Autonomous Vehicles
• UAV / Drone Technology
• Research & Development
• Control Systems
• Advanced Engineering

They are also very interested in engineers coming from Physics or Mathematics backgrounds who have developed strong software engineering skills.

Essential Technical Skills

• Programming
  • C
  • C++
  • MATLAB
  • Python
• Engineering
  • Autonomous systems
  • Control systems
  • Systems Engineering
  • Algorithm development
  • Modelling & Simulation
  • Software development for complex engineering systems
• Experience with any of the following is highly desirable:
  • UAVs
  • UAS
  • Drone technologies
  • Decision support systems
  • Military aviation
  • Flight control
  • Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC)

Personality Fit

• Enjoys solving difficult engineering problems
• Has genuine enthusiasm for autonomous systems
• Can take ownership of technical work
• Works well within multidisciplinary teams
• Can provide technical direction to others
• Wants to work on leading-edge defence technology
• They used the word "passionate" about autonomy—even though they admitted it's an overused term! They want someone who genuinely enjoys this area of engineering.

Qualifications

• Aerospace Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Physics
• Applied Mathematics
• Computer Science (with strong engineering exposure)
• A PhD would be attractive if it is directly relevant to autonomy or autonomous air systems, although they still want some commercial experience rather than someone coming straight from academia