Embedded Software Lead

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

Engage in the development of advanced real‑time embedded software systems with ALTEN Ltd. Join our team as an Embedded Software Lead, where you’ll design and deliver high‑performance software that enables complex sensor‑driven systems to understand their surroundings and present information clearly through intuitive graphical interfaces. You’ll work across embedded, real‑time and performance‑critical environments, combining modern C++ development with Qt/QML user interfaces to deliver robust, production‑ready solutions.

Location: Portsmouth
On‑site: Hybrid
Seniority: Lead Role
Security Clearance: Candidates must be willing to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and maintenance of embedded and backend software using modern C++ (C++14/17/20)
• Develop and integrate real‑time software components for performance‑critical systems
• Implement algorithms for sensor data processing and fusion, combining inputs from multiple sources
• Design and integrate Qt/QML user interfaces with C++ back‑end systems
• Ensure software quality through code reviews, testing, debugging and performance optimisation
• Collaborate closely with systems, embedded and UI/UX engineers
• Contribute across the full software lifecycle, from requirements and architecture through to implementation and documentation
• Provide technical leadership and guidance within the software team

Required Skills

• Strong experience in embedded software development
• C++ experience within real‑time, embedded or performance‑critical environments
• Qt / QML development experience (mandatory)
• Experience designing software that interfaces with sensors and hardware‑level systems
• Strong understanding of software architecture and system performance considerations

Soft Skills & Collaboration

• Confident technical communicator with leadership capability
• Comfortable working across multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Proactive, quality‑focused mindset
• Able to balance technical delivery with mentoring and guidance

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with sensor‑based systems (e.g. vision, radar, navigation or perception)
• Background in real‑time or safety‑critical environments
• Exposure to embedded Linux or performance‑optimised systems
• Experience leading or mentoring engineers within a software team

Why join us? 

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get: 

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme 
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. 

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.