Software Engineer jobs in United Kingdom

DSP Firmware Engineer – Defence Communications
Location: Peterborough (Hybrid – 3 days per week on-site)
Salary: £65,000–£80,000 + excellent benefits
Clearance: Must be eligible for BPSS & SC

Join a world-class engineering team at the heart of aviation safety. This is a great opportunity for a DSP Firmware Engineer to take ownership of technically complex projects that make a real-world difference in civilian and defence air traffic systems.

As part of a 50-strong engineering function, you’ll work across the full firmware development lifecycle—designing, implementing and validating embedded digital signal processing solutions for next-generation communication systems. If you want to work on cutting-edge systems, progress your career, and be part of something that truly matters, this could be for you.

What you’ll be doing
You’ll be designing and developing embedded firmware solutions for FPGA-based systems, applying Digital Signal Processing techniques to real-time communication challenges. Working closely with Test and Acceptance teams, you’ll support integration, validation and documentation efforts throughout the lifecycle. You’ll also contribute to design/code reviews and provide guidance to more junior engineers where appropriate.

What you’ll bring

• Strong academic background in a relevant technical subject (e.g. Electronics, Communications, Computing)
• VHDL/Verilog and C/C++ programming experience
• Experience with DSP techniques and SoC-based modular designs
• Understanding of firmware development processes, from simulation and testbench creation through to embedded implementation
• Familiarity with tools/libraries such as MATLAB, Python (NumPy/SciPy), GNU Radio or TensorFlow for DSP/ML integration
• Comfortable working in Linux and/or Windows development environments

Why this role?

• Be part of a company trusted by governments, airports and defence organisations worldwide
• Solve real-time DSP challenges that underpin global aviation systems
• Collaborate in a supportive, high-integrity team with long-term projects and career progression
• Work in a future-facing environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement

You’ll get 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, enhanced pension contributions up to 8%, private healthcare, a subsidised canteen, cycle-to-work scheme, and more. The flexitime system lets you bank an extra day off each month, and there’s a strong focus on continuous learning and development.