Embedded Software Engineer

Embedded Software Engineer – Linux / C++ / Embedded

Cambridge, UK – Onsite (4–5 days per week)

£65 – £85 per hour

Initial 6 months (strong likelihood of extension)

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 Embedded Linux and low-level software background who can integrate quickly into existing projects and provide immediate technical impact. The environment includes hardware-adjacent software running on advanced SoC platforms.

The position is fully onsite in Cambridge (minimum 4 days per week).

This is not an FPGA design role. However, experience working closely with FPGA-based platforms, particularly Zynq UltraScale+ devices, is highly valuable.

Key Responsibilities

• Development of software within Embedded Linux environments
• C++ application development for complex, hardware-integrated systems
• Embedded C development for hardware-adjacent functionality
• Development and maintenance of Qt-based GUI applications
• Python development for tooling, automation and test frameworks
• Working with Embedded Linux build systems (Yocto and ideally PetaLinux)
• Software integration on FPGA-based SoC platforms (e.g. Zynq UltraScale+)
• Integration, debugging and system-level testing
• Close collaboration with electronics, FPGA and systems engineers
• Supporting delivery within a secure defence environment

Essential Experience

• Active SC clearance
• Strong C++ development experience (including GUI development)
• Embedded C experience
• Linux development environment experience
• Experience with Embedded Linux build systems (Yocto preferred)
• Python scripting and automation
• Experience working within defence, aerospace or national security environments
• Ability to work onsite in Cambridge 4–5 days per week

Highly Desirable / Project-Relevant Experience

Candidates do not need all of the below, but a combination of these skills is important to enable rapid onboarding onto existing programmes:

• Experience with PetaLinux
• Experience developing for Zynq UltraScale+ or similar FPGA-based SoCs
• Strong Qt C++ GUI development experience
• Experience integrating software with custom hardware platforms
• Real-time systems exposure
• Secure development practices
• Consultancy or R&D environment experience

Candidate Profile

• Broad technical exposure across embedded systems and software
• Comfortable working close to hardware
• Able to contribute quickly with minimal supervision
• Strong debugging and system-level problem-solving capability
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, technically demanding environments