Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Southampton

***If the screening questions aren't answered we will be unable to consider your application***

We’re looking for a Principal Software Engineer – Autonomy to lead the development of high level autonomy capabilities across the Kraken fleet of autonomous vehicles.

This is a genuinely hands on, R&D led role where you’ll be shaping how our vehicles think, decide and behave in the real world. You’ll work across vessel guidance, mission frameworks, behaviours, obstacle avoidance and broader autonomy features, including applying modern AI techniques where they make sense.

You’ll be comfortable moving between blue sky experimentation and mission critical production software, helping take ideas from prototype to deployment on real vehicles.

What you’ll be doing

No two days are the same, but you’ll typically be:

• Leading the design and development of high level autonomous behaviours for unmanned vehicles
• Designing, implementing and optimising algorithms for obstacle avoidance, path planning and mission level autonomy
• Building robust autonomy software using C++, Python, ROS2, DDS and Linux based systems
• Collaborating closely with perception, navigation and hardware teams to integrate end to end autonomy solutions
• Writing clean, well structured and well documented code
• Testing and validating autonomy software in simulation and on real vehicles
• Providing technical leadership and mentoring to other engineers and researchers
• Balancing R&D exploration with reliable, production ready delivery

What we’re looking for

You don’t need to tick every box, but we’re ideally looking for someone with:

Essential experience

• Strong, hands on experience with C++ and Python, including software architecture and algorithms
• A solid understanding of autonomous systems (motion planning, state estimation, behaviour-based control, etc.)
• Experience working in Linux environments, including debugging and performance tuning
• Knowledge of real-time systems, distributed computing and middleware
• Experience delivering software in both R&D and production settings
• A natural problem-solver who enjoys iterating and improving complex systems
• Clear communication skills and the confidence to explain complex ideas simply

Nice to have

• Proven experience with ROS / ROS2 and/or DDS
• Sensor fusion experience (LiDAR, RADAR, cameras, IMUs)
• Exposure to deep-learning-based perception
• Experience with simulation tools (Gazebo, CARLA, Unreal Engine, etc.)
• Embedded or real-time systems experience
• Familiarity with cloud robotics, Docker and/or Kubernetes
• Experience with PX4 / MAVLink
• Background in defence, aerospace or maritime autonomy

Why join us?

You’ll be working on genuinely cutting edge autonomy, seeing your work move from code to real-world vehicles. We value thoughtful engineering, curiosity, collaboration and giving people the space to do their best work.

If you’re excited by autonomy, enjoy solving hard problems, and want to shape the future of unmanned systems, we’d love to hear from you.

• Be part of a growing business where your input really matters.
• Collaborative team, flexible working and plenty of autonomy.

What we provide:

• 25 days holiday per year, plus paid bank holiday
• After two years’ consecutive service, one additional day’s annua leave up to a maximum of five additional days annual leave
• Holiday buy/sell, up to five days per calendar year
• Flexi working, core hours 10:00 to 15:00, subject to departmental requirements
• Private Medical Insurance with optional family cover
• Pension scheme with a 5% employer contribution, there is no cap on the employee contribution level
• Life assurance 3x salary
• Group Income Protection 3x salary, subject to eligibility
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing mental health and wellbeing support
• Professional membership reimbursement

Important to know: Due to the nature of our work many of our roles require a UK nationality and the ability to obtain a security clearance. Applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment must meet the requirement of right to work in the UK and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to Government security checks.

Kraken Works Limited is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and offers equal opportunities to all. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexitime
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Fareham, Hampshire: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Can you evidence five years' continuous residency in the UK?
• What are your salary expectations and notice period?
• Can you evidence strong, hands on experience with C++ and Python, including software architecture and algorithms?
• Can you evidence a solid understanding of autonomous systems (motion planning, state estimation, behaviour based control, etc?

Language:

• Fluent English (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person