Embedded Software Engineer - Linux / C++ / Embedded
Cambridge, UK - Onsite (4-5 days per week)
£65 - £85 per hour (SC Cleared, mid-senior level)
Initial 6 months (strong likelihood of extension)
Active SC clearance required (mandatory)
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Software Engineer to join a highly technical engineering environment delivering advanced systems within the UK defence and national security sector.
This role is suited to a mid-senior level engineer with a strong Linux and embedded software background who can integrate quickly into an established team and provide immediate impact. The position is fully onsite in Cambridge (minimum 4 days per week).
This is not an FPGA-focused role. The requirement is for a broad, capable software engineer with strong low-level and systems experience.
Key Responsibilities:
- Development of software in Linux-based environments
- C++ application development for complex systems
- Embedded C development for hardware-adjacent systems
- Python development for tooling, automation and test
- Development and maintenance of GUI applications
- Integration, debugging and system-level testing
- Working closely with electronics and systems engineers in a multidisciplinary team
- Supporting delivery within a secure, defence environment
Essential Experience:
- Active SC clearance
- Strong C++ development experience
- Embedded C experience
- Linux development environment experience
- Python scripting and automation experience
- GUI development experience (Qt or similar beneficial)
- Experience working within defence, aerospace or national security environments
- Ability to work onsite in Cambridge 4-5 days per week
Desirable Experience:
- Experience integrating software with custom hardware
- Real-time systems exposure
- Knowledge of secure development practices
- Experience working within consultancy or R&D environments
Candidate Profile:
- Broad technical exposure across systems and software
- Able to contribute quickly with minimal supervision
- Strong debugging and problem-solving capability
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, technically demanding environments
