Software Team Leader

Job Title: Software Team Leader

Location: Rochester - Onsite

Salary: Up to £65,000 depending on experience

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

You will lead software engineering delivery for complex, safety‑critical defence systems, owning outcomes from planning through to integration and acceptance. This role combines hands‑on technical leadership with team leadership, ensuring high‑quality software is delivered predictably against project milestones. You will shape how work is delivered, grow and support engineers, and provide clear technical oversight across your work packages. Working closely with project management, systems engineering and adjacent teams, you will influence priorities, manage dependencies, and help drive successful delivery of mission‑critical capability.

Core duties: 

• Providing technical and people leadership for software engineering teams delivering safety‑critical systems within the Rochester business
• Owning the end‑to‑end planning and delivery of software work packages, with accountability for scope, schedule, budget, risks, and technical dependencies, proactively managing trade‑offs to meet programme objectives
• Building, sustaining and evolving software teams with the right blend of skills and experience, ensuring capability and capacity align with current delivery needs and future programme demands
• Maintaining clear delivery oversight, including progress tracking and financial assurance, to support accurate and predictable reporting

• Collaborating closely with systems, project and discipline leads to align technical delivery with programme objectives

   

Essential Skills:

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline such as Software Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace, Physics or Mathematics
• Proven experience leading and developing software engineering teams delivering complex or safety‑critical systems
• Demonstrated ability to plan, assign and deliver work packages while balancing technical quality, schedule and cost
• Practical experience across multiple stages of the software lifecycle, such as requirements, design, implementation, integration and verification

• Working knowledge of relevant engineering tools (e.g. DOORS, Siemens Polarion, CAMEO) and programming in C/C++ and/or Assembler, with scripting in Python)

   

The Software Team

You will join a collaborative software engineering team delivering safety‑critical defence systems. The team works closely with systems and project functions to provide technical oversight and predictable delivery. You will be supported through structured learning and development, with opportunities to broaden your experience across programmes and progress into senior technical or leadership roles.

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 we