Software Development Lead

Job title: Software Development Lead

Location: Warton – We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £54,793+ depending on experience

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead and define software development activities in line with departmental priorities and technology roadmaps.
• Coordinate collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams, internal experts, and external partners to deliver high-quality engineering outcomes.
• Champion best-practice software engineering methods and promote adoption of relevant industry standards.
• Ensure robust engineering governance, working with Technical Authorities and domain specialists in Ground Test, Flight Test, and Flight Operations.
• Oversee project delivery to agreed time, cost, and quality targets, managing risks and providing clear progress reporting to stakeholders.
• Prepare business cases and investment proposals to support software research and capability development initiatives.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies through Technology Watch activities to inform future capability roadmaps.
• Provide effective line management, conducting performance reviews and supporting career development from early careers through to senior specialists.

Your skills and experiences:

Essential:

• Strong understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and core software engineering principles, including SOLID design practices.
• Proven experience developing software in multiple high-level programming languages (e.g. C, C++, Java, Python).
• Proficiency in Model-Based Software Engineering (MBSE) and design tools such as Enterprise Architect or Cameo.
• Experience in leading and managing engineering teams, from small groups to larger multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to develop proposals, bids, and business cases, supporting strategic investment and project planning activities

Desirable:

• Knowledge of open systems architectures, such as the Pyramid Reference Architecture (PRA), FACE, ECOA, IMS, or DDS.
• Experience with modern software-driven architectures, including containerisation, microservices, and virtual machines.
• Ability to align software architecture with broader system architecture, ensuring coherent end-to-end design integration.
• Hands-on experience performing Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) integration and testing.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines in collaborative environments on Windows and Linux, using open-source toolsets (e.g. GitLab).

Benefits:

You’ll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and a Company contributed Share Incentive Plan. You’ll also have access to additional benefits such as flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work and employee discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Systems Technology & Capability Delivery Team:

Join the Systems Technology & Capability Delivery Team within FalconWorks, where we’re shaping the future of aerospace innovation. Our mission is to identify emerging technologies, mature early concepts, and deliver real value into next-generation Air Sector products.

This is a fast-paced, creative environment, different from traditional, requirements-led development, where ideas move rapidly from concept to application.

We’re looking for curious, adaptable, and self-driven engineers who are passionate about technology and thrive in collaborative, multi-disciplinary settings. You’ll work closely with specialists across domains such as Mission Systems, Autonomy, Simulation, and Test & Evaluation, as well as external partners from academia, SMEs, and industry.

As a Software Development Lead, you’ll help turn bold ideas into reality, leading innovative software solutions from concept to demonstration, and playing a key role in defining the technologies that will power future air systems.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 17th November 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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