RF Software Engineer
Possible
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer issued few or no visas recently
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£54,700
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2134 (85% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £54,700, and Cambridge Aerospace is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 2124 (Electronics engineers). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2134 Programmers and software development professionals Most likely code | £38,300 | £43,700 | £49,200 | £54,700 |
2124 Electronics engineers Also possible | £36,400 | £41,600 | £46,800 | £52,000 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
Overview
We are seeking a skilled Software Engineer with experience in embedded systems, autopilot development, and UAV simulation to join our team. The ideal candidate will play a key role in the full software lifecycle, from algorithm development to deployment. You will also set up and maintain Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) test environments to ensure reliability, safety, and robustness of our systems.
Responsibilities
- Develop, modify, and integrate embedded software for UAV systems
- Set up, maintain, and improve SIL and HITL environments for testing and validation
- Deploy and optimise software on onboard computers
- Manage source code and workflows using GitHub (CI/CD, branching, reviews, issue tracking)
- Collaborate with hardware, perception, and flight test teams to ensure smooth integration and debugging
- Contribute to performance optimisation, safety improvements, and documentation
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- Strong proficiency in C++ and Python, with experience in real-time and embedded systems
- Understanding of radar fundamentals (range-Doppler, pulse-Doppler, detection)
- Experience with algorithm development and implementation
- Real-time systems and performance optimisation
- Debugging and problem-solving skills
- Version control (Git) proficiency
- MATLAB or Python for prototyping/analysis
Preferred Qualifications/Experience
- Experience in fast-paced R&D or startup environments, with rapid prototype iteration times
- CI/CD pipeline experience
- SIMD/parallel processing optimisation (NEON, AVX, CUDA)
- Experience with bare-metal, RTOS (ie NuttX, ThreadX, RTIC, Zephyr, FreeRTOS, VxWorks, INTEGRITY), and embedded Linux
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation and stock options
- Private Medical & Dental
- Cycle to work scheme
- Lunchtime catering on site
About Us
The mission of Cambridge Aerospace is to eliminate the risk of existential war in Europe. That risk comes from the air – low-cost drones and cruise missiles now manufactured in colossal volumes by our adversaries, ballistic missiles capable of ending the world as we know it, and a new generation of hypersonic weapons that evade every existing defence.
We’re building low-cost interceptors that defeat these threats, and the surveillance systems to detect and target them – at a cost taxpayers can afford, at the pace the threat demands, and with sovereign supply chains that assure delivery.
We have immense backing from the world’s best venture funds. We’re one of the fastest growing defence technology companies in history. And we’re hiring the best engineers to prosecute the mission.
If you are in the top 1%, willing to work harder than you ever have, build technology better than anyone else, and contribute to the defining challenge of our time, now is the time to join us.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Cambridge Aerospace, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Programmers and software development professionals (SOC 2134) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~399k in sample- Middle half £42,536–76,752
- Median £56,784
- Going rate £54,700
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £38,300–49,200
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About sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Cambridge Aerospace holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2134 going rate of £54,700. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.