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Software Development Engineer (Aviation Control & Autonomy)

Thomas SearchFarnborough, Hampshire🇬🇧United KingdomPosted 31 Jul 2026

Why This Role Stands Out

You'll be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge autonomy solutions for military aviation, gaining invaluable experience in a dynamic, hybrid environment. This role is ideal for experienced C/C++ developers with a strong engineering background who thrive on complex challenges and want to shape the future of aviation technology.

Quick Overview

Work Type
Hybrid
Schedule
Full Time
Level
Mid Senior

Job Description

Software Development Engineer (Control & Autonomy)

As a Software Development Engineer, you'll play a key role in designing, developing and delivering autonomy solutions that support complex military aviation systems, helping shape the future of crewed and uncrewed operations.
Day-to-day, you'll take ownership of technical work packages, contribute to research and development activities, and support the integration and testing of autonomy and control technologies from concept through to live trials.

Your responsibilities will include:
  • Applying software & systems engineering principles to the development of control and autonomy solutions
  • Leading or contributing to algorithm development for autonomous and decision-support systems
  • Developing production-level autonomy software using C, ideally C++, with exposure to Matlab
  • Analysing and modelling uncrewed systems within synthetic environments
  • Supporting hardware integration, testing and formally assessed trials in the UK and overseas
  • Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners to deliver operational capability
Essential experience of the Software Development Engineer (Control & Autonomy):
  • Proven C programming experience, ideally C++, within complex or safety-critical systems
  • Knowledge of systems engineering principles
  • Background in control, autonomy or complex software-based systems
  • Experience with modelling, simulation or algorithm development
Essential qualifications for the Software Development Engineer (Control & Autonomy):
  • Degree in a STEM discipline such as Engineering, Physics or Applied Mathematics
This role is full time (37 hours per week) based at Farnborough. Travel to other sites, including trial locations in the UK and overseas, will be expected

Our Benefits
  • Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
  • Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
  • Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
  • Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
  • We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
  • Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community
Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

Skills

MATLAB
C
C++

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