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# Principal Software Engineer (Safety-Critical)

- **Company:** Spectrum IT Recruitment
- **Location:** London, United Kingdom (Remote available)
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** £80,000 - £100,000
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** C++ (Programming Language), Embedded C, Embedded Software, Python (Programming Language), Software Architecture, Software Engineering, Systems Integration, Real Time Systems, DO-178B
- **Published:** November 11, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.hiredonline.co.uk/jobs/225821136-principal-software-engineer-safety-critical/spectrum-it-recruitment

## About the Role

Experience developing software in mission-critical or safety-critical real-time environments is essential. Ideally, you'll bring experience in autonomous systems, robotics or flight software, within aviation, aerospace, drones/UAVs, autonomous vehicles, MOD/defence or similar.

This role could also be suited to Quant Engineers with experience working across real-time systems., * Senior, Lead or Principal-level experience, with development skills in Embedded C, C++ and Python.

 * Experience with embedded software, real-time systems and hardware/software integration.
 * Strong technical leadership and Agile/Scrum facilitation skills.
 * Understanding of software architecture, testing and controlled development lifecycles.
 * Familiarity with DO-178C, ISO 26262 or IEC 61508 (nice to have)