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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Software Architect (UK) - **Company:** MERIDIAN SPACE INC - **Location:** London, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), C++ (Programming Language), Cloud Engineering, Configuration Management, Serialization, Distributed Systems, Monitoring of Systems, JSON, Python (Programming Language), Linux Kernel, Message Broker, Netconf, Routing, Network Protocols, Software Architecture, Ansible, Prometheus, Software Engineering, TCP/IP, Web Applications, YAML, Computer Network Technologies, Istio, Grafana, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), Containerization, Kubernetes, Information Technology, Low Latency, Apache Kafka, Api Design, Restful APIs, Terraform, Open Network Automation Platform, Grpc, Docker, Golang, Programming Languages, Microservices - **Published:** September 24, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=f6226e0993cb2284 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. * Minimum 10 years of professional software engineering experience, spanning cloud architectures, distributed systems, and edge environments. * Strong proficiency in a mix of modern programming languages including C/C++, Golang, Python, Java, or Rust. Cloud-Native & Infrastructure: * Extensive hands-on experience with cloud-native orchestration and containerization frameworks (Kubernetes, Docker, Helm). * Experience with infrastructure-as-code, configuration management (Ansible, Terraform), and network automation protocols (NetConf, YANG). Distributed Systems & Observability: * Deep familiarity with modern distributed systems tooling, including RESTful APIs, gRPC, message brokers (Kafka, NATS), and data serialization formats (JSON, YAML). * Demonstrated expertise in system observability, telemetry, and monitoring stacks (Prometheus, Grafana). High-Performance Networking: * Knowledge of high-performance packet processing techniques (e.g., DPDK, eBPF) and low-latency systems tuning. * Proficiency in network protocols and architecture, including TCP/IP, UDP, routing, and network performance optimization., * Master's degree in computer science, software engineering, telecommunications, or a related field. * Deep understanding of 3GPP 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standards, particularly Release 17/18 architecture encompassing both the Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) and 5G Core (5GC). * Experience with advanced telecom software architectures, including Policy Control Function (PCF/PCRF), IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), and VoLTE/TAS solutions. * Experience working in ESA, defense, or similarly regulated environments. ## Description As our Principal Software Architect, you will own the software architecture and full-stack development for the distributed platforms driving the Meridian Ground Segment. In this pivotal leadership role, you will define the software blueprint that transforms complex telecommunications theory into a living, breathing, high-performance global network. You will bridge cloud-native infrastructure with high-performance edge environments to deliver a robust, highly available terrestrial backbone. This includes: * Designing, developing, and maintaining full-stack software solutions for the Meridian Ground Segment, bridging distributed cloud environments with edge networking products. * Architecting scalable software frameworks for the entire ground network, encompassing the radio access processing nodes, the centralized packet routing and core control planes, the constellation-aware network orchestration functions, and the unified operations and administration platforms. * Driving the transition of network applications into scalable, cloud-native microservices utilizing container orchestration, service mesh routing, and modern API design. * Overseeing the software design and integration of virtualized and containerized environments, leveraging high-performance data plane technologies (such as DPDK, SR-IOV, or eBPF) and real-time Linux kernel tuning to ensure near line-rate processing for distributed network nodes. * Leading software design reviews and providing technical mentorship to engineering teams to ensure the delivery of resilient, telecom-grade platforms. * Interfacing directly with customers, external partners, and domain-expert network architects to shape technical requirements and drive the execution of ground network features. ## Related Videos - [Exploring the Power of gRPC-Gateway for Writing RESTful Services](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2072-exploring-the-power-of-grpc-gateway-for-writing-restful-services) - [Unlocking the potential of Digital & IT at Vodafone](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/602-unlocking-the-potential-of-digital-it-at-vodafone) - [CI/CD with Github Actions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/856-ci-cd-with-github-actions) - [Tips and Tricks for Working with JSON](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1229-tips-and-tricks-for-working-with-json) - [Boosting OpenSearch Performance: gRPC Search in Action](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1964-boosting-opensearch-performance-grpc-search-in-action) - [Boosting OpenSearch Performance: gRPC Search in Action](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1935-boosting-opensearch-performance-grpc-search-in-action) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Software Engineer Salary London](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/252-software-engineer-salary-london) - [Top-Paying Tech Jobs (with Salaries)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/372-top-paying-tech-jobs-with-salaries)