Lead Software Architect

This is an opportunity to take a pivotal technical leadership role within a highly respected engineering organisation working at the forefront of secure and advanced systems.

If you’re someone who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing technical direction, and developing high-performing teams, this role offers the chance to make a genuine impact on critical, real-world programmes.

You’ll be joining an environment where technical excellence is valued, innovation is encouraged, and your expertise will directly shape how systems are designed and delivered.

• High-impact work on complex, mission-critical systems
• Real technical ownership across multiple programmes
• Influence and autonomy to shape architecture, standards, and tools
• Strong team culture focused on collaboration and knowledge sharing
• Flexible working hours (including early Friday finishes) despite being fully onsite
• A business that genuinely invests in engineering capability and continuous improvement

As a Lead / Chief Software Architect, you’ll sit at the heart of engineering delivery, providing technical leadership, architectural direction, and mentoring across a portfolio of projects.

You’ll:

• Define and guide software architecture and design decisions
• Provide technical leadership across multiple concurrent projects
• Lead, mentor, and support a team of talented software engineers
• Partner closely with systems, hardware, and firmware teams
• Champion best practice engineering standards, tools, and processes
• Drive modular design, reuse, and long-term maintainability
• Support early-stage project planning, estimation, and proposals
• Play a key role in building a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement

• Strong experience with C/C++ or Rust, ideally in embedded or systems environments
• Experience working across Linux and/or Windows platforms
• Good understanding of modern engineering practices (CI/CD, Dev Ops, automated testing)
• Ideally, exposure to real-time or embedded systems (RTOS)
• Proven ability to define and deliver robust, scalable architectures
• Experience with UML / SysML modelling and structured design approaches
• Passion for clean design, modularity, and code reuse

• Experience leading or mentoring engineers in a technical capacity
• Comfortable influencing across teams and projects
• A track record of delivering complex solutions to high standards

• Experience with in secure, regulated, or high-integrity environments
• Knowledge of secure software or cryptographic systems
• Familiarity with standards such as MISRA or similar

• Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field
• Must be eligible for UK high-level security clearance (British citizenship required)

• Private medical cover
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (option to buy more)
• Life assurance
• Flexible benefits package
• Flexible working hours with a strong focus on work-life balance

This is a fully onsite role in Berkshire, due to the secure nature of the work conducted. However, the organisation recognises the importance of flexibility, offering adjustable start/finish times and a supportive approach to balancing work and life commitments.

If you’re ready to step into a role where your technical leadership will be valued, your ideas will shape outcomes, and your work will genuinely matter, apply today