Senior Embedded C++ Engineer

Join our team as a Senior Embedded Software Engineer and contribute to the development of mission‑critical embedded software used within defence and other highly regulated engineering environments. You will work on complex real‑time systems where software robustness, determinism, and safety assurance are essential.

This role offers the opportunity to apply deep embedded C++ expertise in high‑integrity programmes, supporting the delivery of reliable software solutions within demanding, process‑driven environments.

Location: London
On-site: 4 days per week
Seniority: Senior (8+ years’ experience)
Clearance: Candidates must be willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded C++ software for real‑time, mission‑critical systems
• Contribute to development within safety‑regulated environments, following high‑integrity software practices
• Develop and integrate low‑level software components and system interfaces
• Support unit, integration, and system‑level testing to ensure deterministic and reliable behaviour
• Collaborate with systems, electronics, and test engineers to integrate software into complex platforms
• Produce clear and traceable technical documentation suitable for regulated engineering environments

Required Skills

• Strong experience with embedded C++ (C++11/14/17 or later)
• Proven background delivering software in defence, safety‑critical, or regulated environments
• Solid understanding of real‑time software constraints and deterministic behaviour
• Experience contributing to verification, validation, and requirements traceability activities
• Familiarity with configuration management and development lifecycle tooling
• Strong debugging and problem‑solving ability within complex systems

Soft Skills & Collaboration

• Clear and confident communicator across multi‑disciplinary teams
• Detail‑oriented, quality‑driven mindset
• Strong ownership of technical delivery and accountability
• Comfortable operating in process‑heavy, high‑assurance programmes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline, or a relevant technical military background with equivalent hands‑on experience.
• Candidates must be eligible to hold UK SC security clearance.

Desirable Skills

• Exposure to safety‑critical standards such as DO‑178 or equivalent
• Experience with Ada within high‑integrity or regulated systems
• Knowledge of MISRA C/C++ or secure coding practices
• Familiarity with automated testing, static analysis, or CI/CD pipelines

Why join us?

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get:

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes.

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.