Lead Software Engineer

Job Title: Lead Software Engineer

Location: Warton, Hybrid, 3 to 4 days per week on site

Referral Bonus: £2,000

Grade: F

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your Line Manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptionalindividual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your Line Manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your Line Manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your Line Manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

As a Lead Software Engineer within the TLS Foundation Team, you'll play a key role in establishing and developing software delivery capability across the FCAS/GCAP programme. You'll support the formation of software teams, helping to shape organisational frameworks, processes and tools that enable effective software delivery.

Working across a complex stakeholder environment, you'll be responsible for guiding software development activities from concept through to delivery while building collaborative relationships across engineering, programme and customer communities. You will also present programme updates, technical information and recommendations to senior stakeholders, helping to support informed decision-making throughout the software development lifecycle.

Core duties

• Support early software team formation, including the development of organisational frameworks, processes and tools that enable effective software delivery
• Lead software teams through planning, delivery and reporting activities, ensuring progress is communicated to key stakeholders
• Design, develop and test TLS software solutions based on system requirements and models
• Present programme updates, technical information, risks and recommendations to senior stakeholders
• Collaborate with integration teams and wider engineering stakeholders to support successful software delivery

Essential Skills

Experience across the full software development lifecycle, including requirements, design, coding, testing and delivery

Experience developing software using languages such as C, C++, Java, Rust or similar

Experience leading software engineering teams

Experience working with and presenting to senior stakeholders

The TLS Foundation team

The TLS Foundation Team is responsible for establishing and developing software capability across the Through Life Services (TLS) area of the FCAS/GCAP programme. Working as part of a major national and international collaborative programme, the team supports the development, integration and delivery of software solutions that will underpin next-generation defence capability.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of future aerospace and defence technologies while collaborating with engineering teams across the wider TLS and Software business. You will have the opportunity to work on a variety of systems, including safety and security-related solutions, within a complex and innovative environment.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

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 applicantsmust as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicantsmust 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 2026

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