AI Software Engineer- National Security and Defence

• Translating client needs into well-designed technical solutions, and speaking directly to customers to do so
• Delivering secure, high-quality software across a wide and varied range of technologies and problem types
• Using AI-assisted development and agentic tooling to accelerate delivery, while reviewing and validating everything that is produced
• Building security into every stage of delivery, including threat modelling, automated testing and build, dependency management and code scanning
• Reflecting on each solution and improving the approach next time
• Mentoring colleagues and helping automate good practice so that mistakes are not repeated

At Principal level, all of the above, plus:

• Owning key customer relationships and helping to win and grow new ones
• Leading teams and acting as a technical leader and mentor to more junior engineers
• Taking ownership of products, technology direction and architecture
• Taking a meaningful share of the running of the business alongside the founders

• Strong, proven background in solutions architecture or solving customer problems with technology, with evidence of doing so
• Depth of experience in complex, strongly typed languages (for example TypeScript, C++, Rust, C# or Java). Backgrounds from games, consultancy and smaller technology companies are very welcome
• A security-first mindset, including working knowledge of threat modelling frameworks such as MITRE and an understanding of secure coding, DevSecOps and shift-left practices
• Demonstrable ability to learn and adapt very quickly. Specific tools matter less than technique and pace of learning
• Pragmatic judgement and the ability to reflect honestly on past solutions
• A positive, curious outlook on AI-led engineering and on the way the role of a software engineer is changing

Additional for Principal:

• Leadership, mentoring and team management experience
• Appetite for business development, customer ownership and product leadership

Security clearance (SC or DV) is highly desirable but not essential. Candidates without clearance must be willing to work in security-cleared environments and to go through the vetting process. Experience of air-gapped environments is advantageous.

• Venture model: engineers with strong ideas can be backed with time, a team and funding to build products, with a share of the upside if the product succeeds or is spun out
• Cutting-edge AI engineering: work at the front of AI-assisted delivery across secure and commercial sectors
• Progression based on capability: a clear route to Principal and beyond, driven by what you can do rather than years served
• Variety: a broad mix of clients, technologies and problems rather than a single narrow stack
• Streamlined hiring: a maximum of two interview stages, with no lengthy technical test process

Package

• Principal: £85,000 to £100,000, with scope above this for exceptional leadership experience
• Senior: £60,000 to £85,000, depending on experience
• £4,000 annual training budget
• Private healthcare
• Bonus scheme
• Referral scheme
• 5 per cent employer pension contribution

A fast-growing, AI-led engineering consultancy is expanding its senior technical team. The business has secured significant programmes across secure and commercial clients and is using AI-assisted engineering to deliver at a pace and scale far beyond traditional teams. It is hiring Senior and Principal Software Engineers who want to shape how that model works, not simply operate within it.