Principal Software Engineer

Job Description:

The Opportunity

Are you a Software Engineer with C++ experience looking for your next challenge?

Here at Leonardo, we are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to take on pivotal technical work within our Integrated Sensors & Protection line of business, working on a range of defence projects.

Direct industry experience is not required; we are happy to explore all backgrounds and help develop all our software engineers.

What you will do:

We want to develop a new generation of features and capabilities using innovative software solutions and we need you to create them. You will be a key part in a community of world-class software engineers who will continuously improve, collaborate and innovate with other engineers to create market-leading products within the defence industry.

What we are looking for:

• Several years of C/C++ software engineering experience in aerospace, defence, or other mission/safety-critical domains.
• Networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, UDP, and socket programming
• RTOS concepts, such as multi-threading and inter-process communication (IPC)
• DDS Middleware
• Experience with development tools including:
  • Microsoft Visual Studio
  • CMake
  • Git
  • Ubuntu Linux
• Experience with embedded SoC platforms, such as Xilinx, Texas Instruments, or similar processors
• Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills on embedded platforms
• Embedded Linux custom target hardware development and debugging experience
• Experience of using Iterative development lifecycles (for example tailored Agile.)
• Experience using tools associated with Iterative development lifecycles (Jira / DevOps.)
• Familiarity with development to design and coding standards.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Python scripting for development support
• Experience with Unit Test Frameworks
• Skills in technical risk identification and mitigation across software components.
• Hands-on delivery with lifecycle experience from requirements through to certification.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and coach engineers, uplifting capability and promoting software engineering excellence.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines, working closely with systems, hardware, and firmware teams to ensure coherent integration.

This is not an exhaustive list, we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

What you will get:

• Flexible working: We offer our employees the time and flexibility they need to enjoy a balanced life through flexible hours and part time options
• Flexible benefits: Our company-funded approach to flexible benefits allows employees to make choices appropriate for them. Each employee has access to a wide choice of lifestyle, health and wellbeing options best suited to their individual lifestyle goals.
• Above average employer pension contributions
• Annual bonus
• Annual leave: We offer 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays and 12 flexi days
• Network groups : To demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion we have network groups for
• Carers (employees who care for someone who is either older, disabled or seriously ill)
• Enable (supporting people with disabilities)
• Equalise (development of a gender balanced workforce)
• Pride (promoting equality for all LGBTQ+ individuals)
• We also work in partnership with AFBE (Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers).

To find out about all of our Company benefits please visit:

Security Clearance:

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information and guidance, please visit -

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

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Primary Location:

GB - Basildon

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid