Software Quality Assurance Engineer (Safety-Critical)

We're looking for an experienced Safety-Critical Software Quality Assurance Engineer to join a growing technology business developing complex, high-integrity autonomous systems.
Experience working on safety-critical and mission-critical software, alongside experience of autonomous systems is essential. Ideally, your background will include aviation, aerospace, autonomous vehicles, drones/UAVs, flight software, MOD/defence or a similarly demanding engineering environment.
You'll play a key role in ensuring software development and verification processes are followed correctly, maintaining compliance with industry standards and driving quality across the engineering lifecycle.
Location: Oxfordshire - hybrid working. 3 days per week in office.
What you'll be doing:

• Reviewing and auditing software development and verification processes across safety-critical autonomous systems.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant standards and internal quality procedures.
• Identifying process gaps, managing non-conformances and supporting corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Reviewing quality documentation and assurance evidence to support compliance.
• Working closely with engineering teams to maintain high standards of software assurance.

Essential requirements:

• Proven experience in Software Quality Assurance (SQA), with a focus on process assurance and compliance beyond software testing or verification alone.
• Experience working on safety-critical and mission-critical software systems.
• Experience working with autonomous systems.
• Knowledge of DO-178C, ISO 26262 or IEC 61508.
• The confidence to challenge and influence engineering teams, when required

Please apply via the advert or email your CV to for a confidential chat.
Please note, sponsorship is not available for this role.

Spectrum IT Recruitment (South) Limited is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.