JOB DETAILS

Embedded Software Lead

CompanyALTEN
LocationPortsmouth
Work ModeOn Site
PostedApril 30, 2026
About The Company
𝐀 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐓 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 ALTEN is committed to meeting the expectations of its stakeholders and anticipating their requirements in the fields of innovation, R&D, and technological information systems. Founded in 1988 and present in 30+ countries, the Group has established itself as the global leader in Engineering and IT Services. ALTEN operates with major players in the Aeronautics, Space, Defence, Naval & Security, Automotive, Rail & Mobility, Energy & Environment, Life Sciences – Health, Industrial Equipment & Electronics, Telecoms, Banking, Finance & Insurance, Retail & Services, Public Services & Government sectors.    OUR VISION: BUILDING TOMORROW’S WORLD TODAY We are convinced that engineers are the architects who build tomorrow’s world today. As a global leader in Engineering and IT Services, we support businesses in their technological and sustainable transformation. We commit to making a positive impact over time and on people, pushing the boundaries of innovation, and always staying one step ahead. We are driven by one ambition: to think about the future in the present. A LEADING GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY PARTNER ALTEN is involved in all projects with a technological dimension for the Technical, Research & Development Divisions and IT Systems Divisions of major corporate, telecoms and service clients, requiring the involvement of high-level Consultant-Engineers. To achieve this, the Group has put in place a world-renowned technical organization of excellence. 🔹 12 Industries covered 🔹 21 Delivery Centers 🔹 6,500+ Clients FULL COVERAGE OF TECHNOLOGIES The Group covers a wide range of expertise in Engineering and IT Services in order to meet our clients’ needs. We bring together and coordinate at the transnational level, specialists and consultants, experts in their profession who support our clients in their issues of digital transformation, innovation, product development, supply chain, etc.
About the Role

Company Description

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

Job Description

Engage in the development of advanced real‑time embedded software systems with ALTEN Ltd. Join our team as an Embedded Software Lead, where you’ll design and deliver high‑performance software that enables complex sensor‑driven systems to understand their surroundings and present information clearly through intuitive graphical interfaces. You’ll work across embedded, real‑time and performance‑critical environments, combining modern C++ development with Qt/QML user interfaces to deliver robust, production‑ready solutions.

Location: Portsmouth
On‑site: Hybrid
Seniority: Lead Role
Security Clearance: Candidates must be willing to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the design, development and maintenance of embedded and backend software using modern C++ (C++14/17/20)
  • Develop and integrate real‑time software components for performance‑critical systems
  • Implement algorithms for sensor data processing and fusion, combining inputs from multiple sources
  • Design and integrate Qt/QML user interfaces with C++ back‑end systems
  • Ensure software quality through code reviews, testing, debugging and performance optimisation
  • Collaborate closely with systems, embedded and UI/UX engineers
  • Contribute across the full software lifecycle, from requirements and architecture through to implementation and documentation
  • Provide technical leadership and guidance within the software team

Qualifications

Required Skills

  • Strong experience in embedded software development
  • C++ experience within real‑time, embedded or performance‑critical environments
  • Qt / QML development experience (mandatory)
  • Experience designing software that interfaces with sensors and hardware‑level systems
  • Strong understanding of software architecture and system performance considerations

Soft Skills & Collaboration

  • Confident technical communicator with leadership capability
  • Comfortable working across multidisciplinary engineering teams
  • Proactive, quality‑focused mindset
  • Able to balance technical delivery with mentoring and guidance

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.

Desirable Skills

  • Experience with sensor‑based systems (e.g. vision, radar, navigation or perception)
  • Background in real‑time or safety‑critical environments
  • Exposure to embedded Linux or performance‑optimised systems
  • Experience leading or mentoring engineers within a software team

Additional Information

Why join us? 

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get: 

  • A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
  • A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Cycle & Tech Scheme 
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Life insurance & Pension Scheme
  • Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
  • Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. 

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

  • Contract Type: Permanent
  • Region: South West UK
  • Compensation: GBP 50000 - GBP 65000 - yearly
  • Key Skills
    C++Embedded software developmentQtQMLReal-time systemsSensor data processingSoftware architectureCode reviewsDebuggingPerformance optimisationTechnical leadershipEmbedded LinuxSafety-critical systemsHardware-level systems
    Categories
    TechnologyEngineeringSoftwareConsultingSecurity & Safety
    Benefits
    Private Medical InsuranceCycle & Tech SchemeEmployee assistance programmeLife insurancePension SchemeFlexible way of working
    Job Information
    📋Core Responsibilities
    Lead the design, development, and maintenance of advanced real-time embedded software systems using modern C++. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate sensor-driven components and intuitive Qt/QML user interfaces.
    📋Job Type
    full time
    💰Salary Range
    £50,000 - £65,000
    📊Experience Level
    5-10
    💼Company Size
    36416
    📊Visa Sponsorship
    No
    💼Language
    English
    🏢Working Hours
    40 hours
    Apply Now →

    You'll be redirected to
    the company's application page