Head of Discipline - Software Engineering

Salary: £40,000 - 80,000 per year

Requirements:

• A degree or equivalent experience in software engineering, computer science, systems engineering or a related STEM discipline, with significant software leadership experience in complex, governed environments
• Strong practical understanding of software lifecycle models, configuration control, build management, CI/CD, automated testing, release management and assurance expectations
• Credible software engineering leader with strong technical judgement, professional authority and the confidence to challenge weak estimates, poor discipline or uncontrolled change
• Pragmatic and fair decision-maker who balances delivery pressure, functional priorities, project needs, governance, assurance and auditability
• Strong people leader and coach, able to develop engineers, support performance and translate software risks into clear technical, project and business consequences

Responsibilities:

• Lead our Software Engineering discipline, ensuring competent people, robust software methods, disciplined technical execution and effective lifecycle control across all products and projects
• Own and maintain our software engineering standards, lifecycle methods, coding practices, toolchains and assurance expectations across our products and projects
• Ensure our software delivery supports safety, security, qualification, accreditation, configuration control and customer acceptance requirements
• Provide competent software resources, technical planning input, independent challenge and subject matter leadership to Engineering Leads and Project Managers
• Define and assure lifecycle gate and technical review artefacts, including baselines, build records, verification evidence, defect status and release readiness
• Maintain compliance with applicable standards and drive continuous improvement through technical reviews, audits and governance activities

Technologies:

• CI/CD
• Support
• Security

More:

We are SEA, and we provide state-of-the-art applications for naval ship and fleet protection, as well as undersea surveillance systems. Our systems are in service across the globe, delivering rapid response to threats and system effectiveness and interoperation, and we support an ever-growing number of navies worldwide. This Head of Software Engineering role is based at either our Bristol, Beckington or Barnstaple sites with regular travel to all three, and we offer flexible working. We encourage innovation, flexibility and out-of-the-box thinking, and in return we offer generous rewards, a fantastic work/life balance, excellent career and training opportunities, and a wide range of benefits including hybrid/flexible working, 25 days annual leave plus buy and sell, up to 16 days flexi leave accrual, half day Fridays, private medical health insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, a Health Cash Plan, an all staff bonus, a group pension plan of up to 8% employer contribution, cycle to work scheme, wellbeing centre, sports and social activities, employee discounts, life assurance, publication and recruitment bonus rewards, LinkedIn Learning, electric vehicle charging points, private seated lunch areas, an onsite bistro in Barnstaple, free hot and cold beverages, onsite showers, toiletries provision and free onsite parking. The salary is up to 90k depending on experience.

last updated 35 week of 2026