Software Architect

Software Architect

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne — Hybrid Working

Salary: £70,000 basic + bonus

Relocation Package Available

The Role

This is a senior, architecture-level position within the R&D function of a high-growth defence technology business, reporting to the Head of R&D. This is not a hands-on coding role day to day — you will be the person who designs and governs the software architecture and CI/CD process that the wider engineering team builds within.

You will own the framework that ensures software developed across robotics payloads, vehicle automation, computer vision, sensor integration, digital twins and simulation is scalable, maintainable, compliant and defensible to safety-critical standards.

This is a genuine R&D environment, so pragmatism matters. You will need to let first-off prototypes move forward on the right evidential path without demanding full compliance upfront, while ensuring the architecture and process can scale to full qualification when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement end-to-end software architecture and CI/CD pipelines for remote and autonomous systems
• Establish unit testing, verification and validation processes, and build the evidence base required to satisfy defence safety-critical standards
• Integrate software architecture across control systems, computer vision, sensor fusion, simulation and digital twin platforms
• Support final system integration, commissioning and real-world field trials with global military end users

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Strong background in software architecture design and implementation for safety-critical or compliance-driven systems
• Hands-on experience with C/C++ and Python in Linux real-time environments
• Ability to read electrical schematics and work across hardware/software boundaries
• Experience implementing CI/CD processes for safety-critical software
• Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent (2:1 minimum)

Advantageous:

• Familiarity with ROS/ROS2
• Experience with machine learning, OpenCV, or CODESYS/PLC environments
• Background in automotive safety systems, defence, robotics or autonomous vehicle development

The Package

• £70,000 basic salary
• Bonus
• 8% matched pension
• Free breakfast and lunch daily in the on-site canteen
• 35-hour working week: Tuesday–Thursday on-site, Monday/Friday from home, half-day finish on Fridays
• Up to £5,000 relocation allowance available for the right candidate
• Company-supported security clearance (required for the role)

Apply

If you are an experienced Software Architect who has governed CI/CD and safety-critical software processes in a complex engineering environment, and want to shape something from the ground up in a high-growth defence technology business, we would like to hear from you.

Contact KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions in confidence — specialists in electronics and embedded engineering.