Technical Software Development Manager - Embedded Systems (TA)

James Fisher and Sons plc; Westhill; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Cycle to work scheme

Company Pension

Job summary

James Fisher and Sons plc seeks a Technical Software Development Manager for embedded systems to define and drive software vision, strategy and roadmap across key product lines. Lead governance, lifecycle processes and cross-functional collaboration with customers and engineering teams to deliver safe, compliant, and cost-effective solutions.

You will translate requirements into priorities, oversee verification and validation, and partner with Innovation teams to shape long-term technology

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, software, or a technical discipline or equivalent industry experience.
• Proven experience shaping software strategy, roadmaps, and delivery in a complex engineering setting.
• Strong understanding of software development across embedded and/or non-embedded applications.
• Experience with requirements management and ensuring traceability across the lifecycle.
• Excellent stakeholder management with customers, suppliers, contractors, and internal teams.
• Strategic mindset balancing long-term product objectives with operational needs.
• Proactive problem-solver who takes ownership and drives solutions.
• Experience in defence, maritime, aerospace, or highly regulated industries is advantageous.
• Knowledge of quality, safety, and governance standards in engineering.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally.
• Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

Responsibilities

• Lead development of software vision, strategy and roadmap across product lines.
• Capture requirements from customers and stakeholders and translate into priorities.
• Provide governance of software verification and validation activities.
• Define and maintain software lifecycle processes, controls and standards.
• Prioritise software features and technical improvements balancing customer and commercial needs.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering and Delivery teams for traceability.
• Shape future product capabilities with Innovation and Product Line Leaders.
• Support business development and bids with technical leadership.
• Develop software capabilities with Engineering Managers and grow talent.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Requirements management

Education

Engineering/Software/Technical degree or equivalent

Tools

Security standards knowledge

Threat and risk assessment

Job description

Technical Software Development Manager – Embedded Systems

Full-Time, Permanent

Inchinnan or Westhill with Hybrid working

Please note that this role requires security checks.

The Role

As Technical Software Development Manager, you will play a pivotal role in defining and driving the software vision, strategy, and roadmap across key JFD product lines, ensuring alignment with wider product and business objectives. Working closely with customers, stakeholders, and engineering teams, you will help define future software capabilities and requirements for both commercial and defence products. This is a highly influential leadership role, responsible for ensuring software development activities align with JFD's engineering strategy, governance framework, and quality standards, while delivering safe, compliant, and cost-effective solutions that meet customer needs and business goals.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the development and continuous evolution of the software vision, strategy, and roadmap across designated product lines, ensuring alignment with business objectives and future customer needs.
• Engage with customers, stakeholders, and internal teams to capture requirements, identify emerging capability needs, and translate these into clear software development priorities.
• Provide governance and oversight of software verification and validation activities, ensuring solutions are delivered in line with quality, safety, and compliance requirements.
• Define, implement, and maintain effective software lifecycle management processes, controls, and development standards across programmes and product lines.
• Drive the prioritisation of software features, enhancements, and technical improvements, balancing customer requirements, commercial objectives, and technical considerations.
• Collaborate closely with Systems Engineering and Delivery teams to ensure robust requirements management and end-to-end traceability throughout the development lifecycle.
• Partner with Innovation teams and Product Line Leaders to shape future product capabilities and contribute to long‑term technology and product roadmaps.
• Support business development and bid activities by providing technical leadership, software expertise, and strategic input to customer solutions and proposals.
• Work alongside Engineering Managers to develop software capabilities, strengthen technical expertise within teams, and support the growth of future talent.

What We’re Looking For

• Degree qualified in a relevant Engineering, Software, or Technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Proven experience leading or influencing software development strategy, roadmaps, and technical delivery within a complex engineering environment.
• Strong understanding of software development across embedded and/or non-embedded applications.
• Experience working with requirements management and ensuring traceability throughout the development lifecycle.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, contractors, and internal teams.
• A strategic mindset, with the ability to balance long-term product objectives with operational and customer needs.
• A proactive problem-solver who takes ownership, drives solutions, and delivers results.
• Experience within the defence, maritime, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of quality, safety, and governance standards within an engineering environment.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally as required.
• Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

Desirable

• Experience working with functional safety standards such as IEC 61508 and IEC 61511.
• Knowledge of Secure by Design principles, IEC 62443 cybersecurity requirements, and secure product development practices.
• Experience defining cybersecurity requirements, conducting threat and risk assessments, and assuring third-party software suppliers for safety-critical or mission-critical systems.

Why join us?

• Early finish on Fridays
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations

About Us

James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.

Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc

For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc

James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting‑edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We’re also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry. Explore more about JFD

At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.

To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida. You can learn more about our approach by visiting our company page: James Fisher and Sons diversity, inclusion, culture - VERCIDA