Lead Software Engineer

Role overview

We are recruiting a Lead Software Engineer to guide a cryptographic software IP team through the full development lifecycle, from design and verification to customer delivery. The role combines hands-on technical leadership with people management, shaping architectural direction and helping grow a high-quality engineering function in a fast-moving deep-tech environment.

Responsibilities

- Plan and allocate work with other engineering leaders and project managers to deliver against the product roadmap. - Coordinate and deliver application and embedded software IP design projects from conception through to customer integration. - Line-manage a software engineering team, including hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, coaching, and resolving conflicts. - Mentor colleagues and act as the internal point of contact for software design expertise. - Define architectural solutions for complex algorithmic and system-level challenges, collaborating with verification engineers on test plans. - Engage with customers on integration questions and contribute to technical sales conversations.

Requirements

- Degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience. - At least 10 years of experience in software design and/or verification. - Expert-level C programming in an embedded environment. - Track record of building software IP blocks from initial specification through to customer delivery. - Understanding of cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and key management systems. - Strong communication skills and confidence planning development cycles with project managers.

Nice to have

- Familiarity with post-quantum cryptography standards such as NIST PQC. - Rust experience in embedded environments, plus Arm or RISC-V knowledge. - Knowledge of side-channel attack resistance and countermeasures. - Confidence with GitLab CI or similar continuous integration practices, plus Python proficiency.

Benefits and work setup

- Competitive salary with a share option scheme and flexible or hybrid working arrangements. - Private health insurance for you and your family, 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays and two wellness weeks. - A working-from-home budget, 50% gym membership discount, and a collaborative team environment.