Senior Advanced Software Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Lead software development activities for advanced QKD software systems and associated ground segment applications.
• Drive high-level unit testing, test automation, system integration and performance testing activities.
• Coordinate with ESA and international partner countries to align technical requirements, project deliverable and development milestones.
• Establish and implement Agile development workflows, including SCRUM practices.
• Design, implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines to support efficient and reliable software delivery.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior software engineers, promoting best practices and high engineering standards.
• Ensure compliance with secure coding practices, software quality standards and development processes.
• Drive the development and continuous improvement of automated testing frameworks, working closely with Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) resources.
• Oversee defect tracking, test management and software verification activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve development efficiency, test coverage, software reliability and overall engineering performance.

Technical Skills & Expertise

Programming Languages

Tools & Technologies

Methodologies & Engineering Practices

Programming Languages

• Java
• C++
• Python

Tools & Technologies

• Test management tools and frameworks.
• Defect tracking and management systems.
• Automated software testing frameworks.
• Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
• DevOps tooling and software development automation.

Methodologies & Engineering Practices

• Agile software development (SCRUM).
• Advanced unit, integration and system testing.
• Performance and security testing.
• Test automation strategy and framework development.
• Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) principles.
• Secure software development and quality assurance.
• Continuous integration, delivery and improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Proven experience leading software development teams or technical workstreams, ideally within high-security or high-assurance environments.
• Strong hands-on software engineering experience with Java, C++ and Python.
• Demonstrable expertise in software testing strategies, automation frameworks and integration testing.
• Experience designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Strong understanding of secure coding principles, software quality assurance and performance testing.
• Experience coordinating technical activities across multidisciplinary or internationally distributed teams.
• Familiarity with ESA programmes, standards and engineering processes would be advantageous.
• Excellent problem-solving, leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A proactive approach to driving technical excellence, innovation and continuous improvement.

Why Join This Mission?

• Take a technical leadership role in an innovative international space programme.
• Contribute to the development of next-generation quantum key distribution and secure communication technologies.
• Work closely with ESA and international industry partners.
• Influence software engineering standards, testing strategies and development processes.
• Mentor engineering talent and shape the technical direction of a specialist software team.
• Play a key role in delivering advanced technology for the future of secure space communications.

Ready to lead the development of next-generation quantum communication systems? Join the mission and help shape the future of secure space technology.

Any offer is subject to full BPSS Screening ( Baseline Personnel Security Standard), including proof of Legal Right to Work, Criminal Records Check, and Drugs Screening.