Lead Software Architect

@ ALTEN

Company Description

Are you passionate about engineering? Do you want to make a difference? ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating in over 30 countries. We partner with industry leaders in sectors such as Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, and more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement and sustainable transformation. Our teams 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.

Job Description

Help design the next generation of underwater surveillance systems by leading the software architecture of complex distributed platforms. At ALTEN, as a Lead Software Architect, you will define architecture, guide design decisions, and ensure system robustness in a safety-critical defence domain. Your work will involve applying your expertise in C/C++, Java, and safety-critical frameworks to support defence operations worldwide.

Key Details

• Location: On-site – Manchester (5 days/week)
• Experience Level: 8+ years in Software Engineering
• Clearance: SC Clearance required (UK residency minimum 5 years)

Key Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the software architecture for a large distributed system.
• Oversee design reviews, mentor engineers, and lead architectural governance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align architecture with system needs.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards such as DO-178, DEF STAN, IEC 61508, IEC 62304, or ISO 26262.
• Contribute to Software FMEA, risk analysis, and high-integrity coding practices.
• Produce technical documentation and artefacts to support project delivery and certification.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 8 years in software engineering roles.
• Expertise in C/C++ and Java development.
• Experience designing safety-critical or safety-related software in regulated industries.
• Strong understanding of software lifecycles, unit testing, static analysis, and high-integrity coding.
• Proficient in Software FMEA and architectural-level fault handling.
• Skilled in writing technical documentation for complex systems.
• Must hold or be eligible for valid SC clearance.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with UML, SysML, or other modelling methods.
• Background in defence projects or mission-critical systems.
• Knowledge of IP networking protocols and secure communications.
• Familiarity with virtualization and containerization technologies (e.g. Docker, VMware).
• Experience with Atlassian tools (JIRA, Confluence, Bitbucket) and CI/CD pipelines (e.g. Jenkins, JFROG Artifactory).

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field is required. Alternatively, candidates with a technical military background in high-integrity, embedded, or defence systems are welcome. Ideal candidates will hold active SC Clearance or be eligible to obtain one (minimum 5 years residency in the UK required).

Additional Information

Join ALTEN to benefit from personalized career development, inspiring projects, and a community of innovative engineers. Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, pension scheme, cycle-to-work scheme, and a social, team-oriented work environment with flexible work arrangements (role dependent).

In Short You Get

• A personalized career path and supportive management style.
• Exciting engineering projects and cutting-edge technologies.
• Diverse projects across multiple industries.
• Competitive salary and attractive benefits.
• Flexible work arrangements and social company culture.

Key skills/competency

Software Architecture, C/C++, Java, Safety-Critical, Defence, Distributed Systems, Technical Documentation, UML, SC Clearance, Risk Analysis