Simulation Software Engineer, Radar and EO/IR Sensors
Based in Bristol
Salary from £53,000 to £60,000 + bonus + overtime | Hybrid, 2 to 4 days on site
Most simulation software sits in a test pipeline and never gets used. Yours will show how a missile seeker sees the world.
This team builds physics-driven scene generation, a simulated view of the world as a radar or electro-optical sensor actually sees it. Those simulations are used to test and certify new weapon systems, and to show how in-service systems will cope with new and emerging threats. Real programmes and real users depend on them.
Before you read on: you must be a British citizen (dual nationals with British citizenship are fine) to be eligible for security clearance. This is a fixed rule and can’t be negotiated.
What you’ll do
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Build simulation software for radar, RF and EO/IR sensors, sometimes from scratch, sometimes making existing product lines faster and better
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Work on 3D rendering and scene generation tools that model how sensors perceive targets, terrain and atmosphere
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Plug your simulations into software-based and hardware-in-the-loop test environments
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Work with programme stakeholders to pin down requirements, risks and technical options
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Spend real time on research, including AI and new modelling techniques, and help decide where the simulation capability goes next
You’ll be in a small software team with plenty of independence. You only need experience in one of radar/RF or EO/IR, and you’ll get the chance to work in both.
What you’ll need
Essential:
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Solid hands-on development experience in Python, or MATLAB and Simulink
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A degree in Physics, Engineering, Maths or similar, or equivalent professional experience
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Good engineering habits: unit and system testing, Git, CI/CD, code that someone else can maintain
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Domain knowledge in at least one of:
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Radar and RF sensing, e.g. SAR, range-Doppler processing, passive RF, signal and image formation
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EO/IR sensing and imaging, e.g. modelling optical propagation through the atmosphere, active or passive imaging
Desirable:
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Experience in simulation, sensor modelling or synthetic environments
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3D rendering or graphics work
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Exposure to laser directed energy (LDEW) or active illumination sensing chains
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Experience in defence or another regulated engineering field
Your experience can come from industry, a PhD or research post, or a serious independent project. What counts is that you can show it.
What’s in it for you
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£53,000 to £60,000 depending on experience
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Bonus up to £2,500
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Pension up to 14% combined
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Up to 15 extra flexi days a year, plus paid overtime
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Subsidised meals, free parking and a healthcare cash plan
