Software Engineer, Python, Embedded Systems​/ Firmware​/ IoT

Location:

Farnborough Contract Type:
Full Time, Permanent

Hours:

37 – HybridAALTO, a global leader in Stratospace. Based in Farnborough, AALTO is an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates, and delivers services with its solar-powered, stratospheric platform:
Zephyr.

Zephyr’s persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time. Its current flight-time record of over 67 days in the stratosphere. From above 60,000+ft, or 20km above ground, AALTO can deliver several applications including direct-to-device connectivity and high-resolution Earth observation.

AALTO operates in a new operational layer between most of air traffic and low-Earth orbit, Stratospace. This is where high-altitude platforms led by Zephyr deliver services to commercial and government partners. We can help monitor environments, observe borders, track natural disasters and connect unconnected communities.

Join us as we create a new domain of aerospace:
Stratospace. You’ll be part of a highly-skilled, innovative and passionate group of people – Team AALTO. Together, we can Unlock Stratospace.

About

The Role As a Software Engineer, you’ll develop robust, safety-critical software for airborne systems, working hands-on with complex engineering challenges where quality, reliability and precision matter.

You’ll work primarily in C, with opportunities to use C++ and Python, contributing across requirements, design, implementation, integration, verification and qualification. This is a role for someone who enjoys solving real-world engineering problems, collaborating across disciplines and seeing their work progress from concept through to aircraft-level application.

If you’re motivated by meaningful technical work, high standards and the opportunity to contribute to pioneering aerospace programmes, this is a chance to make a visible impact in a highly collaborative engineering environment.

Responsibilities to include:
· Design, develop, test and maintain high-quality software for safety-critical airborne systems, primarily using C, with C++ and Python where appropriate.
· Contribute across the full software development lifecycle, from requirements capture and design through to implementation, integration, verification and qualification.
· Work closely with Systems, Hardware, Test and Flight Operations teams to solve aircraft-level challenges and deliver integrated engineering solutions.
· Support software integration, debugging, test automation and evidence generation for qualification and certification activities.
· Participate in technical reviews, challenge assumptions constructively and help strengthen engineering best practice.
· Contribute to a culture of technical excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills and Knowledge Required
· Practical software engineering experience, ideally including 3+ years in aerospace or another safety-critical environment.
· Experience contributing to airborne software development within a DO-178C environment, including requirements, design, implementation, integration and verification.
· Strong C programming skills, with experience in C++ and Python.
· Experience working with embedded, real-time or resource-constrained software systems.
· Familiarity with software requirements management, verification, traceability and configuration management processes.
· Strong problem-solving, debugging and analytical skills, with the ability to work methodically through complex technical issues.
· A collaborative communication style and the confidence to work effectively with engineers from multiple disciplines.
· Awareness of related standards such as DO-330, DO-331, DO-332, DO-333, ARP
4754A/B, DO-278, DEF STAN 00-55 or DEF STAN 00-56 would be advantageous.

Why This Role Stands Out
· You’ll…