Senior Software Engineer - GCS

We’re looking for a Senior Software Engineer – GCS to help design and develop user‑facing Ground Control Station (GCS) software that enables operators to remotely monitor and control autonomous vehicles beyond visual line‑of‑sight.

This is a hands‑on software role focused on building robust, intuitive, mission‑critical user interfaces using C++, Qt, QML, and JavaScript. You’ll work closely with operators, autonomy engineers, and hardware teams to ensure complex autonomous operations are presented clearly, safely, and effectively to end‑users.

You’ll be involved across the full lifecycle — from UX experimentation and prototyping through to production‑ready deployment on operational systems.

• Designing and developing user‑facing GCS software for autonomous vehicle monitoring and control
• Building and maintaining UI applications using C++, Qt, QML, and JavaScript
• Working directly with operators to gather requirements, validate usability, and refine the user experience
• Creating prototypes and storyboards to explore and iterate interface concepts
• Applying modern UI/UX principles to mission‑critical software
• Ensuring software robustness through:
• • Unit testing
  • Integration testing
  • User acceptance and end‑to‑end testing
• Optimising performance and reliability for operational use
• Collaborating with autonomy, systems, and hardware teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Writing clean, maintainable, well‑documented code
• Providing technical guidance and mentoring to junior developers

• Strong experience with C++ and Qt, ideally including QML and JavaScript
• Solid understanding of UI design principles, particularly for mission‑critical systems
• Experience defining software requirements and designing scalable architectures
• Strong grasp of software testing methodologies
• Proven ability to engage directly with end‑users to gather and refine requirements
• Ability to work independently and manage complex workloads effectively
• Clear verbal and written communication skills

• Experience with UX and storyboarding tools (e.g. Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD)
• Background in remote control systems, robotics, or defence‑related industries
• Knowledge of the maritime environment, nautical charts, or survey software
• Familiarity with HTML/CSS and WebSockets
• Experience with cloud‑based systems and containerisation

• Takes ownership and delivers high‑quality software
• Communicates clearly and collaborates effectively across disciplines
• Balances usability, safety, and technical complexity
• Approaches challenges pragmatically and iteratively
• Maintains professionalism when working with operators and customers

• Work on real operational control software for autonomous platforms
• Shape how operators interact with complex autonomous systems
• Influence user experience on mission‑critical products
• Collaborate with experts across autonomy, hardware, and systems engineering

• 25 days holiday per year, plus paid bank holiday
• After two years’ consecutive service, one additional day’s annua leave up to a maximum of five additional days annual leave
• Holiday buy/sell, up to five days per calendar year
• Flexi working, core hours 10:00 to 15:00, subject to departmental requirements
• Private Medical Insurance with optional family cover
• Pension scheme with a 5% employer contribution, there is no cap on the employee contribution level
• Life assurance 3x salary
• Group Income Protection 3x salary, subject to eligibility
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing mental health and wellbeing support
• Professional membership reimbursement

Due to the nature of our work many of our roles require a UK nationality and the ability to obtain a security clearance.  Applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment must meet the requirement of right to work in the UK and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to Government security checks.

Kraken Works Limited is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and offers equal opportunities to all.  Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.