Software Security Engineer

Pertemps; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm is seeking a Software Security Engineer to work on defence software products in Bristol. This role will involve guiding security decisions throughout the software lifecycle and acting as the security authority across various products. The successful candidate will have a strong background in software security, ideally within regulated sectors, and a degree in a STEM discipline. The position offers a base salary of up to £74,000 with bonuses and hybrid working opportunities.

Benefits

Bonus up to 21%

Pension contribution up to 14%

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals and parking

Qualifications

• Experience in defence, aerospace, automotive, telecoms, or regulated sectors.
• Strong background in software security principles and practices.
• Ability to balance security risks with engineering delivery.

Responsibilities

• Act as the security authority across defence products.
• Guide security decisions throughout the software lifecycle.
• Provide hands-on security expertise to engineering teams.

Skills

Software security expertise

Risk analysis

Knowledge of security standards

Experience with embedded software

Strong communication skills

Education

Degree in a STEM discipline

Job description

Software Security Engineer – Defence Software Products

Would you like to work at the sharp end of defence technology, helping secure some of the most advanced software-enabled systems in the world?

The Software Security Engineer sits right at the heart of a defence-focused product portfolio. You’ll act as the Software security engineer, working across multiple programmes at once, shaping how security is designed, built and assured across a wide range of Software including embedded and non-embedded software. You will be influencing real Software engineering decisions across the full product lifecycle from early concept through to in-service support.

Responsibilities

• Acting as the security authority across a range of defence products
• Guiding security decisions throughout the entire software lifecycle
• Providing hands‑on security expertise to software and wider engineering teams
• Advising on secure architectures, design patterns, coding standards and trade-offs
• Supporting both embedded software / firmware and more traditional software stacks
• Running security assessments and risk analysis, identifying threats and defining mitigations
• Supporting multiple projects in parallel in a fast‑moving, classified environment
• Producing clear, usable security documentation, reports and metrics

Qualifications

• Experience working on complex software products in defence, aerospace, automotive, telecoms or similar regulated sectors
• Strong background in software security, with knowledge of recognised security standards and best practice
• Able to balance security risk with real‑world engineering delivery
• Interest in emerging technologies and the evolving security threat landscape
• Embedded software or firmware experience is a bonus, not a must
• Degree (or equivalent experience) in a STEM discipline

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary of up to £74,000 with a Bonus upto 21%.

• Pension: Up to 14% total contribution
• Hybrid working: Typically 3–5 days onsite (driven by workload classification)
• Flexible working supported
• Enhanced parental leave
• Excellent on-site facilities (subsidised meals, parking, etc.)

Security Clearance

Must willing and able to go through Security Clearance and willing to progress to DV.

If you’re a security‑minded Software engineer who wants real influence over how defence software is built and protected, this is a genuinely interesting role.

If you are interested please apply ASAP. The People Network is an employment agency and will respond to all applicants within three – five working days. If you do not hear within these timescales please feel free to get in touch.