Lead Embedded Software Engineer - Aerospace/Defense

Leonardo UK; United States; Hybrid; USD 119,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time to Recharge

Pension scheme

Free online courses

Referral bonus

Private healthcare

Flexible hours

Job summary

Leonardo UK seeks a Lead Software Engineer to assume technical authority roles across EW and Future Combat Air programmes. You will define architecture, lead cross-disciplinary teams, and ensure DO-178C compliance throughout software lifecycles.

The role offers hybrid working, a strong benefits package, and opportunities to mentor engineers while driving architectural decisions and software integrity across critical projects.

Qualifications

• Several years of embedded software engineering experience in aerospace, defence, or other mission/safety-critical domains.
• Ability to set technical direction, defining software architecture and design strategies aligned with platform and system goals.
• Experience ensuring compliance with DO-178C standards or equivalent, and adherence to internal governance processes.
• Strong skills in technical risk identification and mitigation across software components.
• Hands‑on delivery of DO‑178C software or equivalent, with lifecycle experience from requirements through to certification.
• Background in technical leadership, including architectural design, risk mitigation, or technical governance.
• Mentor and coach engineers, uplifting capability and promoting software engineering excellence.
• Familiarity with legacy systems, export controls, interoperability, and long‑term product evolution.
• Collaborate across disciplines with systems, hardware, and firmware teams for coherent integration.
• Champion design integrity, acting as accountable technical lead during audits and reviews.

Responsibilities

• Take on pivotal Technical Authority roles within EW and Future Combat Air programmes.
• Define software architecture and design strategies aligned with platform and system goals.
• Mentor engineers and enforce DO-178C compliance through lifecycle stages.

Skills

Embedded software engineering

Technical direction

DO-178C compliance

Technical risk mitigation

Hands-on DO-178C delivery

Technical leadership

Mentoring engineers

Legacy systems familiarity

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Design integrity champion

Tools

DO-178C tools

Job description

Leonardo UK seeks a Lead Software Engineer to assume technical authority roles across EW and Future Combat Air programmes. You will define architecture, lead cross-disciplinary teams, and ensure DO-178C compliance throughout software lifecycles.

The role offers hybrid working, a strong benefits package, and opportunities to mentor engineers while driving architectural decisions and software integrity across critical projects.