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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Software Engineer - **Company:** Leonardo - **Location:** Wickford, UK (Remote available) - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Agile Methodology, JIRA, Unit Testing, C++ (Programming Language), Ubuntu (Operating System), CMake, Software Debugging, DevOps, Programming Tools, Linux on Embedded Systems, Middleware, Firmware, Hardware Design, Iterative and Incremental Development, Inter-Process Communication, Microsoft Visual Studio, Networking Basics, Real-Time Operating Systems, Socket Programming, Software Engineering, Software Systems, TCP/IP, Multithreading, Scripting, Git, Software Coding - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.apply4u.co.uk/jobs/principal-software-engineer/46283961 ## About the Role Job Description: The Opportunity Are you a Software Engineer with C++ experience looking for your next challenge? Here at Leonardo, we are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to take on pivotal technical work within our Integrated Sensors & Protection line of business, working on a range of defence projects. Direct industry experience is not required; we are happy to explore all backgrounds and help develop all our software engineers. What you will do: We want to develop a new generation of features and capabilities using innovative software solutions and we need you to create them. You will be a key part in a community of world-class software engineers who will continuously improve, collaborate and innovate with other engineers to create market-leading products within the defence industry. What we are looking for: Several years of C/C++ software engineering experience in aerospace, defence, or other mission/safety-critical domains. Networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, UDP, and socket programming RTOS concepts, such as multi-threading and inter-process communication (IPC) DDS Middleware Experience with development tools including: Microsoft Visual Studio CMake Git Ubuntu Linux Experience with embedded SoC platforms such as Xilinx, Texas Instruments, or similar processors Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills on embedded platforms Embedded Linux custom target hardware development and debugging experience Experience of using Iterative development lifecycles (for example tailored Agile.) Experience using tools associated with Iterative development lifecycles (Jira / DevOps.) Familiarity with development to design and coding standards. Nice-to-have skills: Python scripting for development support Experience with Unit Test Frameworks Skills intechnical risk identification and mitigationacross software components. Hands-on deliverywith lifecycle experience from requirements through to certification. Demonstrated ability tomentor and coach engineers, uplifting capability and promoting software engineering excellence. Ability tocollaborate across disciplines, working closely with systems, hardware, and firmware teams to ensure coherent integration. This is not an exhaustive list, we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn. What you will get: Flexible working: We offer our employees the time and flexibility they need to enjoy a balanced life through flexible hours and part time options Flexible benefits: Our company-funded approach to flexible benefits allows employees to make choices appropriate for them. Each employee has access to a wide choice of lifestyle, health and wellbeing options best suited to their individual lifestyle goals. Above average employer pension contributions Annual bonus Annual leave: We offer 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays and 12 flexi days Network groups : To demonstrate our ongoing ## Related Videos - [Code to Road in < 12 hours](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1082-code-to-road-in-12-hours) - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Agile work at CARIAD – Creating a customer web application for controlling the vehicle ](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/200-agile-work-at-cariad-creating-a-customer-web-application-for-controlling-the-vehicle) - [Collaboration Quantified: Lessons from Open Source Developer Networks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1422-collaboration-quantified-lessons-from-open-source-developer-networks) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) ## Related Articles - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [The Ultimate Software Engineer Career Path Guide for 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/146-the-ultimate-software-engineer-career-path-guide-for-2023) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs)