Senior Software Engineer

QinetiQ · Farnborough, United Kingdom · On site · yesterday

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Posted October 13, 2026 · Read from QinetiQ
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Package: £64,350 - £71,500 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits

Role ID: SF20762

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Senior Software Engineer at our Farnborough site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll play a key role in developing the next generation of software solutions that support advanced defence and radar technologies. Working within a highly skilled engineering team, you'll help design, develop and deliver software that interacts directly with specialist hardware systems, influencing technical direction while mentoring engineers and driving engineering excellence.

Day-to-day, you'll contribute across the full software development lifecycle, from architecture and design through to implementation, optimisation, testing and deployment. You'll work closely with software, hardware and systems engineers to solve complex technical challenges and deliver high-quality solutions for nationally significant programmes.

Your responsibilities will include:

Designing, developing and maintaining high-quality software solutions across Windows and Linux environments

Developing low-level software, device drivers and hardware interfaces for specialist systems

Contributing to software architecture, technical strategy and long-term product development

Leading code reviews and promoting software engineering best practice across the team

Supporting Agile delivery activities including sprint planning, estimation and technical decision-making

Mentoring and supporting engineers while fostering a culture of continuous improvement

Essential experience of the Senior Software Engineer:

Strong software development experience using C and C++

Experience developing software within Linux environments

Experience designing and architecting software solutions for complex systems

Experience developing software that interfaces directly with hardware devices and platforms

Knowledge of device driver development and low-level software engineering principles

Experience working within Agile, DevOps or modern software delivery environments

Essential qualifications for the Senior Software Engineer:

Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience

Significant software engineering experience operating at Senior Software Engineer level

Demonstrable experience providing technical leadership, mentoring or architectural guidance

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Farnborough site with a minimum average site attendance of three days per week.

At our Farnborough site exciting work takes place at our state-of-the-art facility, with high-energy laser technologies, our 5m pressurised wind tunnel which has a simulation capability that is unique in the UK and our large research and development projects is a real hub of creativity, research and innovation. Join our talented teams of Engineers, IT & Cyber Specialists, Project Managers, Group Functions Teams and many more to provide future defences in the UK.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Our Recruitment Process:

At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing internal_recruitment@qinetiq.com. One of our recruitment team will contact you.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

Our Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance

Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days

Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance

Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more

We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

#UKI

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Employer
QinetiQ
Location
Farnborough, United Kingdom · On site