Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer – Full Time – Heybridge

The Principal Software Engineer is part of the Software Systems Capability function, responsible for specifying, designing, validating, and testing software components, including low‑level requirements for the software and source code. The role ensures on‑time delivery and quality of software and associated artefacts, achieved through decomposition of designs and development of tests and analysis to validate implementation against requirements.

• Review and agree high‑level software requirements, including their testability.
• Analyse and translate high‑level requirements into validated design for software components.
• Capture applicable design constraints and quality attributes that apply to the component.
• Design and implement software components to meet high‑level requirements and design constraints/standards.
• Allocate software requirements to test vehicles defined in the verification plan.
• Analyse software components for functional behaviour, using modelling and simulation to demonstrate design compliance.
• Develop and review software tests that evidence satisfaction of software requirements.
• Analyse existing software for architectural or design issues and drive improvement of the existing code base.
• Analyse verification test results against software requirements.
• Provide targeted testing of software‑level functionality to support problem investigation and closure of customer issues.
• Liaise with other disciplines to understand functional performance capabilities of system components to facilitate effective component design.
• Support capacity planning and the development of long‑term strategic goals for the department, in conjunction with department managers.
• Develop, implement, document, and maintain policies, procedures, guidelines, tools, and training as required.
• Produce reports to document work carried out.
• Provide advice to project teams and contribute to knowledge reuse within the organisation.

• Strong knowledge of software design, system architecture, and embedded software testing at the module level.
• Degree (or equivalent) qualified.
• Strong knowledge of modern C++ in relation to real‑time systems, including refactoring legacy code to improve robustness.
• Working appreciation of associated engineering disciplines.
• Proficiency with design and analysis tools.
• Professional courage to highlight areas of concern and risk, ensuring product suitability in a safe and functional manner.
• Ability to interpret test results and provide informed conclusions, including understanding measurement uncertainty.
• Demonstrated ability to manage tasks to completion, keeping relevant stakeholders informed.
• Ability to identify and manage risk in collaboration with team members.

• Highly self‑motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to understand the level of analysis required.
• Good time‑management skills, able to prioritise and execute tasks in a high‑pressure environment.
• Dynamic response to evolving objectives while coordinating with a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, able to explain ideas in both technical and user‑friendly language.
• Ability to research application issues and seek solutions outside the immediate area.
• Team‑oriented collaborative environment or able to work as a sole contributor on defined projects.
• Working knowledge of marine automation systems, including industry standards.
• Willingness to pursue training courses and workshops to develop capability.
• Capability to train others and deliver training material when required.

Rolls‑Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non‑discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.