Software Engineer - Mission Management Systems

Leonardo; Yeovil; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexi-days

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

Online courses

Referral programme

Private healthcare

Hybrid working

Job summary

Leonardo Yeovil is recruiting an experienced Software Engineer - Mission Management Systems to drive end‑to‑end development of high‑integrity aircraft software. You will evolve our Tactical Mission Management Systems, maintaining legacy reliability while enabling modular, autonomous capabilities for uncrewed platforms.

The role demands deep expertise in Ada95/C/C++, UML, DOORS, and RTOS, with a track record in safety standards and certification.

Qualifications

• Broad experience in the full software development lifecycle for real‑time, high‑integrity embedded systems.
• Strong proficiency in Ada95, C, or C++. Extensive experience with UML modelling and requirements management via DOORS.
• Deep understanding of Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), multi-tasking environments, and command-based OS (Linux, UNIX).
• Practical experience navigating traditional safety standards (like DO-178C), with integration and certification of autonomous systems.
• A proactive architect who thrives in transitional environments, balancing manned aviation rigor with uncrewed innovation.

Responsibilities

• Dual-Platform Architecture: Generate robust, scalable software models and detailed component designs using UML for both legacy manned and new uncrewed mission computers.
• Open Architecture Integration: Champion Modular Open Systems Approaches (FACE/MOSA) for future software portability across autonomous fleets.
• High-Integrity Implementation: Develop deterministic, mission-critical real-time software components (Ada95/C/C++), with careful memory management.
• Requirements & Traceability: Capture, analyse, and manage complex system requirements with DOORS across manned and unmanned drops.
• Verification & Integration: Build test harnesses, perform unit tests, and conduct hardware-in-the-loop integration for HMI and autonomous behaviors.
• Certification Navigation: Produce and maintain standard engineering documentation; ensure DO-178C compliance while addressing regulatory hurdles for uncrewed systems.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as technical authority in discussions with customers and suppliers to deliver capability within budgets.

Skills

Ada95

C/C++

UML modelling

RTOS

Linux/UNIX

Tools

DOORS

FACE

MOSA

SysML

Job description

Job Description

Salary £55k to £65k

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

At Leonardo in Yeovil we are seeking an experienced Software Engineer - Mission Management Systems to drive the end‑to‑end development of high‑integrity aircraft software during a critical technical pivot. This role focuses on the evolution of our Tactical Mission Management Systems—maintaining the reliability of our legacy manned platforms while architecting the software for our emerging uncrewed and autonomous capabilities.

Your impact

Working within our Helicopter division, you will be taking ownership of complex mission system software component, ensuring legacy systems remain robust, while simultaneously leveraging open architectures to ensure our future uncrewed systems are modular, portable, and ready for the next generation of autonomous missions.

What you’ll do as Software Engineer - Mission Management Systems

• Dual-Platform Architecture: Generate robust, scalable software models and detailed component designs using UML for both legacy manned and new uncrewed mission computers.
• Open Architecture Integration: Champion the use of Modular Open Systems Approaches (e.g., FACE/MOSA) to ensure future software portability across autonomous fleets.
• High-Integrity Implementation: Develop deterministic, mission-critical real-time software components (primarily in Ada95/C/C++), balancing the need for rigorous memory management with the processing demands of autonomous systems.
• Requirements & Traceability: Capture, analyse, and manage complex system requirements, ensuring traceability using DOORS across both manned and unmanned capability drops.
• Verification & Integration: Construct test harnesses, execute unit testing, and conduct hardware-in-the-loop integration to prove both traditional HMI functionality and complex autonomous behaviours.
• Navigating Certification: Produce and maintain standard engineering documentation. You will ensure legacy systems meet DO‑178C requirements while actively helping the team navigate the emerging regulatory and certification hurdles associated with uncrewed systems.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as a technical authority during discussions with customers, suppliers, and multi-disciplinary teams to ensure autonomous and legacy software delivers the required operational capability within agreed budgets.

What You’ll Bring

• Broad experience in the full software development lifecycle for real‑time, high‑integrity embedded systems.
• Strong proficiency in Ada95, C, or C++. Extensive experience with UML modelling and requirements management via DOORS.
• Deep understanding of Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), multi-tasking environments, and command-based OS (Linux, UNIX).
• Practical experience navigating traditional safety standards (like DO-178C), coupled with a strong appetite for tackling the unique integration and certification challenges of autonomous systems.
• A proactive architect who thrives in a transitional environment, capable of respecting the rigor of manned aviation while innovating for the uncrewed future.

It would be great if you bring specific knowledge or a strong interest in any of the following areas

• Advanced Architecture Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA), Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE), and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE / SysML).
• Autonomy & Future Tech Exposure to autonomous flight rules, robotics/automation technologies, AI/Machine Learning, or modern languages (Rust, C#, Java) as they apply to future uncrewed mission systems.
• Tactical Domain Military Tactical Communication, Sensor, and Weapon systems integration for both crewed and uncrewed platforms.
• Avionics & Hardware Integration with Aircraft Electrical Systems and networking protocols (IP/Ethernet, Mil‑Std 1553, ARINC429).

Security Clearance

This role will require National Security Vetting to SC level. It is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance. A range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) will apply, this will include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit https //careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work‑life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

Primary Location

GB - Yeovil - Lysander Rd

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid