Chief Software Architect

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.