R&D Software Engineer
Job Description
Our client, a leading technology company in the Defence & Security sector, is currently seeking a talented Research & Development Software Engineer to join their innovative team on a permanent basis. This role is based at Portsdown Technology Park in Portsmouth and offers the exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge immersive training solutions and simulations.Key Responsibilities:Build and maintain prototypes, proof-of-concept systems, and technical demonstratorsTake early-stage feasibility prototypes forward into working implementations, validating technical assumptions and documenting findingsImplement integrations between AI services, APIs, backend systems, XR applications, simulation environments, and third-party platformsDevelop microservices, wrappers, connectors, and service interfaces to support solution componentsSupport applied AI development including LLM services, speech services, classification models, RAG pipelines, and AI-enabled application featuresPrepare and maintain demo-ready technical builds for internal and customer-facing demonstrationsSupport the preparation of technical handoff to delivery teams, including setup guides, implementation notes, configuration instructions, and known-issue logsTest and validate solution components against defined requirements or acceptance criteria, recording issues, limitations, and dependencies clearlyJob Requirements:Degree in software engineering, computer science, AI, games technology, simulation or a related technical disciplinePractical software development experience in Python, C++, or C#Ability to build, test, and debug software, integrations, and small services independentlyUnderstanding of APIs, data formats, and basic system integration conceptsWillingness to work across different technical areas including AI, XR, backend services, tooling, and prototypingStrong problem-solving ability and enthusiasm for learning in a fast-paced R&D environmentExcellent communication skills to articulate technical issues and blockers clearlyDesirable Skills:Experience with AI/ML tools, LLMs, speech services, RAG systems, or AI APIsExperience with Unreal Engine, Unity, or other real-time 3D development environmentsFamiliarity with Docker, FastAPI, REST APIs, Git, and deployment workflowsExperience with simulation, defence, XR, training systems, or serious gamesFamiliarity with cloud services or local/offline model deploymentExperience preparing demos, prototypes, or proof-of-concept systems for technical or customer audiencesBenefits:Competitive salaryFamily medical and dental cover25 days annual leave, birthday day off + bank holidaysAdditional 5 days annual leave after 1 year of employment5 additional reservist volunteering days on full pay2 volunteering days on full payPension NEST 7%Cycle to work schemeEV schemeCareer development opportunities and progression pathwaysEmployee assistance packageFlexible workingCompany annual socials and wellbeing initiativesIf you are an experienced Software Engineer eager to contribute to transformative digital immersive training solutions within the Defence & Security sector, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our client's dynamic and supportive team in Portsmouth.TPBN1_UKTJ