Software Engineers - The Future Combat Air System

Dstl; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Dstl seeks passionate Software Engineers to enhance the Future Combat Air System project. Candidates will work on advanced defense projects and must be UK nationals able to obtain security clearance. This role offers competitive pay and substantial benefits including a robust pension scheme.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme (up to 26% employer contribution)

Flexible working options

25 days annual leave plus public holidays

Learning and Development support

Onsite facilities including gyms and parking

Qualifications

• Proficient in compiled programming languages such as C/C++, ADA.
• Practical experience across the full software lifecycle.
• Strong grasp of software engineering fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of software across various technical domains.
• Work alongside Software Leads and MOD stakeholders.
• Provide technical expertise throughout the software lifecycle.

Skills

C/C++

ADA

Software Engineering Fundamentals

Critical Thinking

Problem Solving

Collaboration

Job description

At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver. To do this successfully in this job will require a minimum of 60% attendance at a Dstl location; Government Departments including wider MoD or Delivery and Mission Partner’s premises with some overseas travel. Where business needs allow, and with the agreement of your line manager, there may be the option for a combination of workplace and home-based working.This is a non-contractual arrangement.

About the job Job summary

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is seeking talented and motivatedSoftware Engineersto join the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) Programmable Elements (PE) Team. You'll be at the cutting edge of software engineering, directly contributing to theGlobal Combat Air Programme (GCAP)— one of the most advanced defence projects in the world.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

As a Software Engineer within FCAS, you’ll play a key role in supporting the safe, secure, and high-performance delivery of software across multiple technical domains:

• Software Pipelines
• Test & Evaluation
• Software Assurance
• Vehicle & Mission Systems
• AI and Autonomy

You’ll work alongside Software Leads, researchers, MOD stakeholders, and industry partners, providing technical expertise and thought leadership throughout the software lifecycle.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

• Proficient in compiled programming languages such as C/C++, ADA etc
• Practical experience across the full software lifecycle
• Strong grasp of software engineering fundamentals, including maths and logic
• Ability to communicate technical content to non-technical stakeholders
• Critical thinking and complex problem-solving capability
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management experience

Please see full job description for skills & experience in the candidate pack at the bottom of this page

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,769, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £10,941 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working:Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours:Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work:Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave:25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family:Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development:Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities:Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

Things you need to know Selection process details

This vacancy is usingSuccess Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team [e-mail] and we will do all we can to support you.

Sifting will take place week commencing the 4th August 2025 with interviews to be arranged from the 18th August 2025, interview will consist of a technical & behavioural interview to include a 5 minute presentation entitled 'Tell us how you identify weakness and work to improve a software process'

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed issecurity check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must completebaseline personnel security standard (opens in new window)checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

TheCivil Service Code (opens in a new window)sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission'srecruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window)and theCivil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).