Principal Aviation Software Development Engineer

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Retirement savings plan

Paid annual leave

Training and conference funding

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Aviation Software Development Engineer in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. You will architect, design, and develop safety-critical software for aviation systems, leading projects and mentoring engineers in a hybrid setup with on-site presence and task-based remote work.

The role emphasizes DO-178C compliance, embedded C/C++, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, high-quality software for aircraft systems.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science or Software Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years in software development with aviation embedded systems.
• Proven leadership or principal engineer experience.
• Deep knowledge of safety-critical development processes and DO-178C.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and development of safety-critical aviation software.
• Write high-quality C/C++ or Ada for embedded real-time systems.
• Define software requirements, specs, and design documentation.
• Develop unit, integration, and system tests.
• Ensure compliance with DO-178C and other standards.
• Collaborate with systems, hardware, and safety teams.
• Conduct code reviews, static analysis, and debugging.
• Mentor junior engineers and guide teams.
• Improve software processes and tools.
• Support software qualification and certification efforts.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

RTOS

DO-178C

MBSE

Leadership

Software architecture

Code reviews

Mentorship

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Tools

Git

Build systems

Debuggers

Compilers

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the aerospace industry, is looking for a Principal Aviation Software Development Engineer to join their innovative team in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga . This senior role will be instrumental in architecting, designing, and developing safety-critical software for advanced aircraft systems. You will lead complex software projects, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, reliable software solutions that meet stringent aviation standards. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in embedded software development, a deep understanding of software safety standards (e.g., DO-178C), and proven leadership capabilities. This hybrid role offers the opportunity to work closely with teams on-site in Nelspruit while retaining flexibility for remote work on specific tasks.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and development of safety-critical software for aviation systems.
• Write high-quality, efficient, and maintainable code in C/C++ or Ada for embedded real-time systems.
• Define software requirements, specifications, and design documentation.
• Develop and execute comprehensive software unit, integration, and system tests.
• Ensure compliance with rigorous software development standards, such as DO-178C.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, hardware engineers, and safety experts to define software functionalities and interfaces.
• Perform code reviews, static analysis, and debugging to ensure software integrity.
• Mentor and guide junior software development engineers.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of software development processes and tools.
• Support software qualification and certification efforts.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in software development, with a significant focus on aviation embedded systems.
• Proven experience in a leadership or principal engineer role, guiding software development projects.
• In-depth knowledge of safety-critical software development processes and standards (e.g., DO-178C).
• Expertise in embedded C/C++ programming and real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Experience with software architecture design patterns and methodologies.
• Proficiency in software development tools, including compilers, debuggers, version control (Git), and build systems.
• Strong understanding of software testing principles and practices.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers an industry-leading salary package, complemented by significant annual bonuses and long-term incentive plans.
• Comprehensive benefits include premium medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with robust retirement savings plans.
• We provide an exceptional amount of paid annual leave, plus company holidays.
• Continuous learning is encouraged through generous funding for training, conferences, and further education.
• This hybrid role offers flexibility, allowing for a balance between office-based collaboration and remote work.
• Join a highly respected organization at the forefront of aviation innovation and contribute to critical software development.