Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Salary: £36,000 - 76,000 per year

Requirements:

• Strong embedded C/C++ development skills.
• Skilled at defining engineering processes and guiding teams in their application.
• Ability to generate clear specifications, architectures, verification plans and test procedures.
• Proven ability with current microcontrollers and SoC technologies and trends.
• Strong documentation and technical communication skills tailored to internal and external audiences.
• Ability to select the most appropriate technology based on requirements, risk, cost and time.
• Background delivering to safety-related standards (e.g., SIL, ASIL).
• HNC/HND or degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for engineering outcomes.
• Professional and confident communicator with suppliers, customers and internal stakeholders.
• Effective problem solver with a focus on risk reduction and pragmatic decision-making.
• Collaborative team player who encourages knowledge-sharing rather than competition.
• Adaptable, able to work to a plan while managing change effectively.
• Motivated, supportive leader with a track record of developing others.
• Able to maintain a productive, positive and continuous-improvement-focused working environment.

Responsibilities:

• Establish, grow and lead an embedded software engineering capability covering microcontrollers and SoC systems.
• Provide technical authority, governance and oversight across all embedded development activities.
• Define, develop and maintain robust engineering processes, workflows and best-practice guidelines.
• Build shared, reusable modules and libraries to enable quicker, lower-risk delivery on future projects.
• Grow the teams design and verification toolsets in line with business strategy.
• Lead the planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting of embedded software work packages.
• Scope, estimate and review engineering effort to support bids, proposals, and change requests.
• Translate customer and system requirements into clear, maintainable software specifications.
• Develop preliminary architecture concepts and oversee the creation of detailed designs.
• Define verification strategies, validation plans, and test cases, ensuring traceability to requirements.
• Produce high-quality documentation including design descriptions, verification reports, and release records.
• Ensure engineering deliverables meet internal quality standards, compliance requirements and safety standards (e.g., SIL, ASIL).
• Foster strong collaboration between software, firmware, and hardware engineering teams.
• Enable knowledge-sharing and cross-functional development while maintaining specialist expertise.
• Support smooth integration between embedded software and hardware platforms.
• Mentor, coach and develop embedded engineers at all levels.
• Participate in recruitment, selection and onboarding of new team members.
• Manage tasking and provide oversight for internal engineers and specialist contractors.

Technologies:

• Embedded
• Firmware
• Hardware
• Support
• Sonar
• C++
• Security

More:

We are a leading maritime defence client based in Winfrith, Dorset, offering hybrid working arrangements with 3 days per week onsite. Our team is currently seeking a Principal Embedded Software Engineer for various exciting projects, including underwater vehicle control systems and sonar equipment. The successful candidate will play a senior technical role and may take on leadership responsibilities, driving the development of high-quality embedded solutions across multiple technologies. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and innovative working environment that supports professional growth.

last updated 30 week of 2026