Software Engineer (C++) for Autonomous Systems

Software Engineer (C++) — Autonomous Systems, London

Please note that we can only consider people who have either resided in the UK for at least 5 years or citizens of a NATO member.

From shipping games to shipping autonomy. There's more crossover than you think!

I'm working on behalf of a fast-growing autonomy company delivering next-generation software-defined defence and security capability, to find multiple Software Engineers for their London engineering team.

If you've spent years building performant, real-time C++ systems, engine work, networking, distributed backends and simulation, then you'll likely have the experience needed to make the transition into the autonomy realm..... Oh and if you enjoy practicing LeetCode or similar in your spare time.. You'll almost definitely have what it takes.

My client builds hardware-agnostic autonomy software that runs mission planning, multi-platform coordination, and navigation across uncrewed systems at scale — replacing small numbers of expensive, hardware-locked platforms with cheap, software-defined systems deployed in volume. They've recently secured a major UK government contract as prime contractor, leading a consortium delivering next-generation autonomous capability for a branch of the UK Armed Forces.

You'll fit right in if your background includes:

• Real-time, performance-critical C++ — engine programming, netcode, distributed backends, simulation systems
• Shipping and maintaining software people actually use, not just prototypes — AAA titles, live-service platforms, production infrastructure
• Comfort working close to hardware, or coordinating multiple systems/clients in real time under imperfect conditions

We're open to engineers who've come from game studios, robotics, telecoms, and simulation backgrounds — the constraints translate more directly than you'd expect. Multi-client state sync, bandwidth-vs-latency trade-offs, distributed system coordination — if you've solved these problems for players, vehicles, or infrastructure, you can solve them for autonomous platforms.

What you'd actually be doing:

• Writing modern C++ for software that's deployed and operational
• Architecting scalable, reliable systems working in Docker/Linux environments
• Working in lockstep with a US engineering counterpart team, alongside London colleagues from top-tier tech and defence companies
• Helping build the London team as it scales — mentoring, shaping process, contributing to a high-performing culture

What we're looking for:

• 5+ years hands-on modern C++ — or exceptional OOP fundamentals and a genuine appetite to go deep on it
• Real product-lifecycle experience — you've built something that shipped
• Linux/Docker comfort; bonus points for Python, distributed systems, or Bazel
• Eligible to hold UK Security Clearance
• Open to engineers relocating from NATO nations

If "high-stakes and genuinely deployed" sounds more interesting than your next sprint, get in touch for a confidential conversation.