Embedded Software Engineer
DstlUnited Kingdom10 days ago
Part-timeEngineering, Information Technology
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Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ
At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver. To do this successfully in this job will require attendance at a Dstl location; Government Departments including wider MoD or Delivery and Mission Partner’s premises for 60% of your working time.
Job Summary
We take cutting edge Defence and Security research across the cyber domain and operationalise the research into novel and unique capabilities. These solutions support the military and wider government in solving their real-world problems today with an impact and reach unique to the cyber domain.
We deliver engineering on a bespoke scale for discerning customers in unique deployment circumstances. Therefore, engineers with creativity to work out how to fit what we do to meet the customer’s needs, and spot where our processes can be made more efficient, are an excellent fit.
You may work on multiple projects at once (typically two) and you may find that due to the bespoke nature of the work, you may use different skill sets on each project or even on the same project in different phases.
Much of the detail of what we do is classified. We can promise you will see and work with technologies that very few get to see. We work across government with many partners meaning our work is varied and on any given day you might be solving problems in the laboratory, or with like-minded engineers and scientists from across UK government departments. The impact of what we do for UK forces is rarely detailed in the media but widely recognised if you know where to look.
Dstl will give you the chance to work on unique capabilities, develop your technical knowledge and work with friendly colleagues to protect the UK through supporting current and future cyber operations.
Find out more within the candidate pack on Civil Service Jobs.
Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.
Job Description
In this role you will:
Safety at Dstl
Accountable for ensuring safe and secure work;
Safety at Dstl
Accountable for ensuring safe and secure work;
Qualifications
We need an embedded engineer with some experience/knowledge of some or all the following:
Experience
To be considered for this role we expect you to have:
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
If you are a current Dstl employee you must ensure your line manager is aware of your application and the potential situation regarding release dates, if successful and a start date is not agreed it could result in the job offer being withdrawn
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team [email protected] and we will do all we can to support you.
Sifting will take place from the 6th October 2025 with interviews to be arranged from the 20th November 2025.The closing date for applications is Wednesday 5th October.
Please note if successful for an interview, a 10 minute presentation will be required on "A technical project I'm proud of".
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email [email protected] stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.
At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver. To do this successfully in this job will require attendance at a Dstl location; Government Departments including wider MoD or Delivery and Mission Partner’s premises for 60% of your working time.
Job Summary
We take cutting edge Defence and Security research across the cyber domain and operationalise the research into novel and unique capabilities. These solutions support the military and wider government in solving their real-world problems today with an impact and reach unique to the cyber domain.
We deliver engineering on a bespoke scale for discerning customers in unique deployment circumstances. Therefore, engineers with creativity to work out how to fit what we do to meet the customer’s needs, and spot where our processes can be made more efficient, are an excellent fit.
You may work on multiple projects at once (typically two) and you may find that due to the bespoke nature of the work, you may use different skill sets on each project or even on the same project in different phases.
Much of the detail of what we do is classified. We can promise you will see and work with technologies that very few get to see. We work across government with many partners meaning our work is varied and on any given day you might be solving problems in the laboratory, or with like-minded engineers and scientists from across UK government departments. The impact of what we do for UK forces is rarely detailed in the media but widely recognised if you know where to look.
Dstl will give you the chance to work on unique capabilities, develop your technical knowledge and work with friendly colleagues to protect the UK through supporting current and future cyber operations.
Find out more within the candidate pack on Civil Service Jobs.
Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.
Job Description
In this role you will:
- Bring your background and thinking to guide the research of novel techniques and capabilities to work on a variety of exciting and challenging problems that owing to their sensitivity cannot be done elsewhere.
- Make a difference and have pride in what you do; our work improves the front-line capability of the UK Armed Forces, keeps British citizens safe and support national prosperity.
- Form links across Dstl, Government, industry and academia. We work with an array of partners both at home and abroad including the Armed Forces, other Government departments and industry.
- Develop your career in exciting new areas that are growing to meet groundbreaking challenges.
- Support Group wide technical activities such as technical forums, monthly meets, lightning talks and the mentoring of junior staff. We are proud of our impartial status, doing things for the right reasons.
Safety at Dstl
Accountable for ensuring safe and secure work;
- Must appreciate and be responsible for the health and safety of self and others; both understand and meet defined accountabilities as written in Dstl policy,
- Must demonstrate the expected HS (& EP) behaviours as defined by the Civil Service and Dstl and lead by example,
- Must ensure understanding and maintenance of appropriate training, experience and knowledge (i.e. competent / SQEP) for self and direct reports,
- Develop a working environment that is supportive of and champions the Dstl approach to security, health, wellbeing, safety and environmental (HSEP) management,
- Be aware of the downstream impact of their actions and the actions of their direct reports on those outside of their immediate control.
- Implement Dstl's policies and ensure compliance with the Management System
- Bring your background and thinking to guide the research of novel techniques and capabilities to work on a variety of exciting and challenging problems that owing to their sensitivity cannot be done elsewhere.
- Make a difference and have pride in what you do; our work improves the front-line capability of the UK Armed Forces, keeps British citizens safe and support national prosperity.
- Form links across Dstl, Government, industry and academia. We work with an array of partners both at home and abroad including the Armed Forces, other Government departments and industry.
- Develop your career in exciting new areas that are growing to meet groundbreaking challenges.
- Support Group wide technical activities such as technical forums, monthly meets, lightning talks and the mentoring of junior staff. We are proud of our impartial status, doing things for the right reasons.
Safety at Dstl
Accountable for ensuring safe and secure work;
- Must appreciate and be responsible for the health and safety of self and others; both understand and meet defined accountabilities as written in Dstl policy,
- Must demonstrate the expected HS (& EP) behaviours as defined by the Civil Service and Dstl and lead by example,
- Must ensure understanding and maintenance of appropriate training, experience and knowledge (i.e. competent / SQEP) for self and direct reports,
- Develop a working environment that is supportive of and champions the Dstl approach to security, health, wellbeing, safety and environmental (HSEP) management,
- Be aware of the downstream impact of their actions and the actions of their direct reports on those outside of their immediate control.
- Implement Dstl's policies and ensure compliance with the Management System
Qualifications
- Ideally, you will have a degree in a STEM based subject such as Computing, Physics, ICT, Electronics, etc. or an equivalent qualification, skills or experience but not essential.
We need an embedded engineer with some experience/knowledge of some or all the following:
- C, C++ or Rust – with embedded experience.
- Knowledge of microprocessors/microcontrollers.
- Experience with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and the required maths. EG - Linear Algebra, Signal Processing Algorithms and transformations, matrix computations.
- Experience with Open Component Portability Infrastructure (Open CPI), or a similar embedded Software Defined Radio (SDR) framework.
- Embedded testing methodologies.
- Knowledge of Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS).
Experience
To be considered for this role we expect you to have:
- Worked on complex and non-routine problems, drawing together disparate information and making meaningful technical assessments, ideally in an engineering or technology environment.
- A persistence and tenacity to cohere people and information that assures technical products to a high level.
- Experience of working in an defence environment.
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
If you are a current Dstl employee you must ensure your line manager is aware of your application and the potential situation regarding release dates, if successful and a start date is not agreed it could result in the job offer being withdrawn
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
Benefits
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
- Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 28.97% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme. Option to join Vivup Benefits Payment scheme
- Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
- Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
- Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
- Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
- Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
- Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team [email protected] and we will do all we can to support you.
Sifting will take place from the 6th October 2025 with interviews to be arranged from the 20th November 2025.The closing date for applications is Wednesday 5th October.
Please note if successful for an interview, a 10 minute presentation will be required on "A technical project I'm proud of".
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
- Name : [email protected]
- Email : [email protected]
- Email : [email protected]
Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email [email protected] stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.
Key Skills
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