Ultra

Principal Software Engineer

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK Full time

We are Ultra Precision Control Systems

Ultra PCS is a leading developer of mission and safety critical equipment in the defence and aerospace industry. Our team of experts are at the heart of our success, which is why we are dedicated to fostering a safe working environment and a positive culture where every staff member feels valued and respected.

We solve our customers' problems, providing engineering solutions to safety and mission critical challenges in the air and on the ground. Our solutions can be found in the latest military aircraft and vehicles, in civil aircraft, and in unmanned vehicles.

We help to ensure our customers get to where they need to be safely, achieve their objectives and keep on going back.

Flexible Working

Wherever possible, we will consider a variety of working options to suit your lifestyle, whether that be hybrid home/office working, flexible working and part or full time employment. It's the 'innovating' and 'empowering' values that we ASPIRE to be. We welcome the challenge to work in new ways and have trust in you when getting the job done because we recognise, our business is our people.

Job Description

Ultra Precision Control Systems are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join the engineering function. We are searching for a dynamic highly skilled Principal Software Engineer with a wide breadth of skills who is interested in applying those skills and furthering their development skillset on a variety of software projects.

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will be expected to derive requirements, produce software architecture, develop test specifications, perform coding, debugging and testing on a variety of platforms from microcontrollers, to asymmetric multi-processor systems. You will participate in all phases of full software development lifecycle.  This role will suit a self motivated developer who is keen to take on a new challenge and who has a variety of programming languages and keen to learn new skills.

We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer with proven track record in embedded real-time safety critical experience. Experience with C/C++ working within aerospace safety standards required.

Key Responsibilities

Software Development:

  • Requirements definition, design, development, and verification for a variety of integrity levels, from safety critical to proof of concept.
  • Coding to internal coding standards and ensuring high quality robust solutions.
  • Conduct design and code reviews to maintain high-quality standards.
  • Debugging in embedded environments.

Required Skills and Experience

Technical Expertise:

  • High proficiency in C and C++ and cross compiling and debugging on embedded targets.
  • Experience in working to DO-178C DAL B/A
  • Proficiency in real-time software design and RTOS concepts.
  • CI/CD workflow.  Experience with Git, Containerised development environments, CI/CD
  • Familiarity with debugging tools, hardware interfaces, and safety analysis techniques.

Personal Attributes:

  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to collaborate in a wider team.
  • Excellent communication skills, capable of effectively liaising with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Desirable Qualifications:

  • Experience with aerospace systems or similar high-reliability domains.
  • Familiarity with other safety-critical standards (e.g., ARP4754, ARINC 653, DO-254, DO-248).
  • Understanding of hardware/software integration and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing.

Benefits:

Every employee is critical to our success and as such we offer a range of flexible employee benefits along with career development opportunities.

  • Flexible working within core working hours

  • 25 days holiday (185 hrs) with the option to buy/sell 5 days (37 hrs) plus bank holidays

  • 4 times your annual salary in life assurance

  • Flexible benefits package

  • Pension Scheme - Less than 5 years' service up to 5.5% employer contributions, 5 years' service + up to 7.5% employer contributions. 

  • Sports and Social club

  • Supportive and friendly working environment with regular team events

You couldn’t be joining the team and Ultra at a more exciting time. Therefore if this sounds of interest, please follow the application process

Nationality Requirements

Candidates must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government National Security Vetting criteria.

Diverse & Inclusive Employer

Ultra PCS is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be your best and authentic self.

We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers.

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates.