Lead / Chief Software Architect
Location: Berkshire (Onsite)
Salary: £85,000-£95,000 + Bonus + Benefits
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to take a pivotal technical leadership role within a highly respected engineering organisation working at the forefront of secure and advanced systems.
You'll provide architectural direction across multiple programmes, influence technical strategy, and help shape the future of mission-critical software solutions used in real-world environments.
If you're passionate about solving complex engineering challenges, mentoring high-performing teams, and driving technical excellence, this could be the perfect next step.
Why Join?
- Lead the architecture of complex, high-integrity systems
- Influence technical direction across multiple programmes
- Work alongside talented software, systems, hardware and firmware engineers
- Drive engineering best practice, tooling and development standards
- Join a collaborative culture focused on innovation and continuous improvement
- Flexible working hours with early Friday finishes
- Genuine investment in engineering capability and career development
What You'll Be Doing
- Define and lead software architecture across multiple projects
- Make key design decisions that shape future product development
- Provide technical leadership, coaching and mentoring to engineering teams
- Work closely with Systems, Hardware and Firmware engineers to deliver integrated solutions
- Champion best practices in software development, tooling and quality
- Drive modular design, reuse and long-term maintainability
- Support project planning, technical estimation and bid activities
- Promote a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement
What You'll Bring
Technical Skills
- Strong experience with C/C++ or Rust
- Experience developing software on Linux and/or Windows
- Knowledge of modern development practices, including CI/CD, DevOps and automated testing
- Experience working with embedded or real-time systems (RTOS) is advantageous
Architecture & Design
- Proven experience designing scalable, maintainable software architectures
- Experience using UML, SysML or similar modelling approaches
- Strong appreciation for clean design, modularity and code reuse
Leadership Experience
- Experience leading or mentoring software engineering teams
- Ability to influence technical decisions across projects and stakeholders
- Proven track record of delivering complex engineering solutions
Desirable
- Experience within defence, national security or other highly regulated environments
- Knowledge of secure software development or cryptographic systems
- Familiarity with standards such as MISRA
Qualifications & Eligibility
- Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline
- Must be eligible for high-level UK Security Clearance
- British citizenship required
Benefits
- £85,000-£95,000 salary
- Annual bonus scheme
- Private medical insurance
- Strong pension contribution
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Option to buy additional leave
- Life assurance
- Flexible benefits package
- Flexible working hours and excellent work-life balance
The Environment
Due to the secure nature of the work, this is a fully onsite role based in Berkshire. In return, you'll benefit from flexible start and finish times, early Friday finishes, and a supportive culture that values both professional development and personal wellbeing.
What's My Next Step?
If you're an experienced Software Architect looking to combine hands-on technical leadership with meaningful, high-impact engineering work, apply now.
