Software Engineer

AALTO; Farnborough; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday 25 days

Private medical insurance

Dental & optical cash back

Pension plan

Income protection

Life assurance

Perkbox discounts

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

AALTO in Farnborough is seeking a Software Engineer to develop robust, safety-critical software for airborne systems. You will work primarily in C, with opportunities to use C++ and Python, contributing across requirements, design, implementation, integration and verification.

This role involves collaborating with Systems, Hardware and Flight Operations teams to solve aircraft-level challenges and to support qualification and certification activities in a fast-moving aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of practical software engineering in aerospace or safety-critical environments.
• Experience contributing to airborne software development under DO-178C.
• Strong C programming skills; experience in C++ and Python.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test and maintain high-quality software for safety-critical airborne systems using C, with C++/Python as needed.
• Contribute across the full software development lifecycle from requirements to verification and qualification.
• Collaborate with Systems, Hardware, Test and Flight Operations teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Support software integration, debugging, test automation and evidence for certification activities.
• Participate in technical reviews and promote engineering best practices.

Skills

C programming

C++

Python

Aerospace experience

DO-178C

Embedded systems

Requirements management

Collaboration

Aerospace standards awareness

Job description

Hours: 37 – Hybrid

Location: Farnborough

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37 – Hybrid

AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace. Based in Farnborough, AALTO is an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates, and delivers services with its solar-powered, stratospheric platform: Zephyr.

About The Role

As a Software Engineer, you’ll develop robust, safety-critical software for airborne systems, working hands-on with complex engineering challenges where quality, reliability and precision matter.

You’ll work primarily in C, with opportunities to use C++ and Python, contributing across requirements, design, implementation, integration, verification and qualification. This is a role for someone who enjoys solving real-world engineering problems, collaborating across disciplines and seeing their work progress from concept through to aircraft-level application.

If you’re motivated by meaningful technical work, high standards and the opportunity to contribute to pioneering aerospace programmes, this is a chance to make a visible impact in a highly collaborative engineering environment.

Responsibilities To Include

• Design, develop, test and maintain high-quality software for safety-critical airborne systems, primarily using C, with C++ and Python where appropriate.
• Contribute across the full software development lifecycle, from requirements capture and design through to implementation, integration, verification and qualification.
• Work closely with Systems, Hardware, Test and Flight Operations teams to solve aircraft-level challenges and deliver integrated engineering solutions.
• Support software integration, debugging, test automation and evidence generation for qualification and certification activities.
• Participate in technical reviews, challenge assumptions constructively and help strengthen engineering best practice.
• Contribute to a culture of technical excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills And Knowledge Required

• Practical software engineering experience, ideally including 3+ years in aerospace or another safety-critical environment.
• Experience contributing to airborne software development within a DO-178C environment, including requirements, design, implementation, integration and verification.
• Strong C programming skills, with experience in C++ and Python.
• Experience working with embedded, real-time or resource-constrained software systems.
• Familiarity with software requirements management, verification, traceability and configuration management processes.
• Strong problem-solving, debugging and analytical skills, with the ability to work methodically through complex technical issues.
• A collaborative communication style and the confidence to work effectively with engineers from multiple disciplines.
• Awareness of related standards such as DO-330, DO-331, DO-332, DO-333, ARP4754A/B, DO-278, DEF STAN 00-55 or DEF STAN 00-56 would be advantageous.

Why This Role Stands Out

• You’ll work on meaningful software that directly supports advanced aircraft systems.
• You’ll be part of a multidisciplinary engineering team where software, hardware, systems and operations come together.
• You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your technical expertise across safety-critical development, verification and certification.
• You’ll see the impact of your work in a challenging, innovative and fast-moving aerospace environment.

In Addition To An Attractive Market-aligned Salary, We Offer

• Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.
• Enjoy Your Time Off: Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.
• Stay Healthy: We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.
• Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.
• Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.
• Getting around: Drive the latest vehicles with our discounted salary sacrifice scheme.
• We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.
• Perks Galore: Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, from household goods to travel!

At AALTO, we take pride in building and offering an exceptional work environment that values your well-being and rewards your dedication. We believe in recognising your hard work and commitment, which is why we provide a fantastic bonus scheme that rewards your contributions. Additionally, we understand the importance of financial security and support your future with a competitive pension plan. When you join us, you become part of a workplace that not only encourages your professional growth but also cares about your personal fulfilment and financial stability.

AALTO is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.