Chief Software Architect

Salary: £45,000 - 65,000 per year

• We require strong experience with C/C++ or Rust, ideally in embedded or systems environments.
• We require experience working across Linux and/or Windows platforms.
• We require a good understanding of modern engineering practices, including CI/CD, Dev Ops, and automated testing.
• We ideally value exposure to real-time or embedded systems, including RTOS.
• We require proven ability to define and deliver robust, scalable architectures.
• We require experience with UML or SysML modelling and structured design approaches.
• We value a passion for clean design, modularity, and code reuse.
• We require experience leading or mentoring engineers in a technical capacity.
• We require the ability to influence across teams and projects.
• We require a track record of delivering complex solutions to high standards.
• We value experience within secure, regulated, or high-integrity environments.
• We value knowledge of secure software or cryptographic systems.
• We value familiarity with standards such as MISRA or similar.
• We require a degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field.
• We require eligibility for UK high-level security clearance, with British citizenship required.

• We provide technical leadership across multiple concurrent projects.
• We define and guide software architecture and design decisions.
• We lead, mentor, and support a team of talented software engineers.
• We partner closely with systems, hardware, and firmware teams.
• We champion best practice engineering standards, tools, and processes.
• We drive modular design, reuse, and long-term maintainability.
• We support early-stage project planning, estimation, and proposals.
• We help build a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• We influence technical direction across our engineering programmes.
• We solve complex problems on critical, real-world systems.
• We contribute to the delivery of secure and advanced systems.

• CI/CD
• Dev Ops
• Embedded
• Firmware
• Hardware
• Support
• Linux
• Rust
• Security
• UML
• Windows
• Architect

We are a highly respected engineering organisation working at the forefront of secure and advanced systems, offering a pivotal technical leadership opportunity on critical, real-world programmes. This is a fully onsite role in Berkshire due to the secure nature of our work, and we provide flexible working hours, including early Friday finishes, alongside a strong focus on work‑life balance. We invest in engineering capability and continuous improvement, and our package includes a salary of £85,000 to £95,000, an annual bonus scheme, private medical cover, a strong pension contribution, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays with the option to buy more, life assurance, and a flexible benefits package.

We offer a collaborative team culture with knowledge sharing, autonomy, and the chance to shape architecture, standards, and tools across multiple programmes.

last updated 25 week of 2026