Contract Embedded Software Engineer - Defence

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