Software Architect

Software Architect: Robotics Defence Technology R&D

Newcastle upon Tyne + Hybrid Work from Home – Relocation Paid

Up to £75,000 basic + 10k signing bonus + Excellent Benefits package

Shape the software foundations of a fast-growing robotics defence technology business. As Software Architect, you'll set the architecture and CI/CD framework that an entire R&D engineering team builds on, from robotic payloads to autonomous vehicles.

The role

You'll report to the Head of R&D in a senior, architecture-level position. This isn't a day-to-day coding job. You'll design and govern how software is built, tested and evidenced across robotics payloads, vehicle automation, computer vision, sensor integration, digital twins and simulation. Your aim is to keep that software scalable, maintainable and defensible to safety-critical standards.

This is a real R&D environment, so pragmatism matters. You'll let early prototypes move quickly on a proportionate evidence trail, without demanding full compliance on day one. You'll also make sure the architecture and processes can scale to full qualification when the time comes.

What you'll do

• Define and implement end-to-end software architecture and CI/CD pipelines for remote and autonomous systems.
• Set up unit testing, verification and validation processes, and build the evidence base needed to meet defence safety-critical standards.
• Bring together control systems, computer vision, sensor fusion, simulation and digital twin platforms into one coherent architecture.
• Support system integration, commissioning and field trials with global military end users.

What you'll bring

Essential

• A strong background in designing and implementing software architecture for safety-critical or compliance-driven systems
• Hands-on C/C++ and Python experience in Linux real-time environments
• The ability to read electrical schematics and work confidently across the hardware/software boundary
• Experience implementing CI/CD for safety-critical software
• A degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent (2:1 or above)

Desirable

• Familiarity with ROS/ROS2
• Experience with machine learning, OpenCV or CODESYS/PLC environments
• A background in automotive safety systems, defence, robotics or autonomous vehicles

What's on offer

• £70,000 basic salary plus bonus
• £10,000 signing bonus
• Annual bonus
• 8% matched salary sacrifice pension
• A 35-hour week: on-site Tuesday to Thursday, home working Monday and Friday, with a half-day finish on Fridays
• Up to £5,000 relocation allowance for the right candidate
• Company-sponsored security clearance (required for the role)

Interested?

If you've governed CI/CD and safety-critical software processes in a complex engineering environment, and you want to build something from the ground up, we'd like to hear from you.

Get in touch in confidence with KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions, specialists in electronics and embedded engineering.