Software Group Lead - Real Time Software

MBDA; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation in Stevenage is seeking an experienced Software Engineering Manager to lead a team developing real-time embedded software for sophisticated defence systems. The role involves managing a multidisciplinary team, ensuring effective resource allocation, and fostering collaboration across functions. Strong leadership and understanding of software development processes are required. This position offers a competitive salary, hybrid working arrangements, and various employee benefits, including a substantial company bonus and flexible working options.

Benefits

Company bonus up to 27%

Car allowance of £300/month

Pension contribution up to 14%

Flexible working arrangements

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals and free parking

Qualifications

• Experience leading a team in an advanced technological environment.
• Strong understanding of software development processes, including requirements analysis, design, and testing.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a multidisciplinary team.
• Ensure effective allocation of resources to meet project timelines.
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams to achieve project objectives.

Skills

Team leadership

Software development processes

Effective communication

Job description

We have a great opportunity for an experienced Software Engineering Manager to head up and grow a group that develops Real‑Time Embedded software at the heart of some of the world’s most sophisticated defence systems!

If you have experience leading a team in an advanced technological environment, and a background in software development, then we would like to talk to you. The most important thing we look for is the ability to lead and encourage others; passionate about people - and keen to get to know your team and understand what motivates them!

Salary

Circa £80,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working

3 to 4 days per week on-site, due to workload classification

Security Clearance

British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

• Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 27% of base salary

• Car Allowance: £300/month

• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%

• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements

• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments

• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more

The opportunity:

This role will give you the opportunity to shape, support and develop a team of software engineers working on several different Embedded / Real Time Software projects. The team specify, design, build, test and deliver the software that transforms a collection of electronic parts into a highly capable missile system.

Our team develop software for Flight Computers on many different missiles, some of which have elevated safety integrity levels.

Engineering is at heart of our business; there is opportunity to both develop your core leadership skills, and gain a wider experience of complex embedded systems.

Working alongside a multidiscipline engineering team, you will be a key part of a supportive and growing software engineering team as your career expands with us.

MBDA is committed to upskilling people through both formal training and practical experience. We are a friendly, highly capable team, producing software that makes a difference.

The Real Time / Embedded software department is a multi-disciplined team of over 100 people in the UK, working on a diverse range of products that use some exciting technologies.

What we're looking for from you:

• The ability to manage and develop a multidisciplinary team, ensuring effective allocation of resources to meet project timelines and quality standards whilst providing mentorship and technical guidance to team members.

• Capable of fostering growth and collaborating with multi-functional teams to achieve project objectives within schedule and budget constraints.

• A strong understanding of software development processes, including requirements analysis, design, and testing.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to interface effectively with technical and non-technical collaborators on progress, risks, and mitigations.

• Experience in defence is not essential, and indeed many of our people joined us from automotive, aerospace and consumer electronics.

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee‑led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

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