Head of Software

Head of Software | Cambridge (hybrid)

This role owns the whole software function at a long-established Cambridge hardware business. Its products sit inside mission-critical control rooms around the world, where failure isn’t an option. The company is now employee owned and is building its next generation of networked video and connectivity products. Software is central to that.

The role

You’ll own every line of software the business ships. That covers embedded Linux on FPGA SoCs, application software on x86 Linux, build systems, CI/CD and test. Software managers and team leads across UK and offshore teams will report into you. You’ll sit on the Engineering Management team and report to the VP Engineering.

This isn’t a caretaker role. You’ll have a clear mandate to review how things are done, challenge assumptions and improve delivery speed and predictability. You’ll also need to keep the reliability the products are known for. Part of the job is bringing several established teams together into one group with shared ways of working. You’ll also drive a platform approach so new products reach market faster.

What you’ll be doing

• Setting software strategy aligned with product, platform and hardware roadmaps
• Leading and developing managers, leads and engineers across UK and offshore teams
• Providing technical governance across embedded, application, build infrastructure and CI/CD
• Reviewing architecture, design and code, and stopping or redirecting work when it isn’t heading the right way
• Representing software with hardware, firmware, product, operations and the executive team
• Retaining, growing and, where needed, hiring strong engineers and leaders

The technical environment

• Embedded Linux on Xilinx and Intel SoCs, often resource constrained, with on-device UIs
• x86 Linux application software, some of it tightly coupled to drivers and hardware
• C and C++, with growing use of Rust and Go
• Cross-compiled, multi-product build systems, with Jenkins, Gerrit and Bitbucket
• Long-lifecycle, high-reliability products with controlled release processes

What you’ll bring

• A strong background in embedded and hardware-adjacent software
• A track record of leading and building high-performing teams, ideally across sites
• Evidence of improving delivery speed, predictability and quality at scale
• Enough technical depth to challenge senior engineers credibly. You won’t code every day, but you’ll still be close to the detail.
• The emotional intelligence to lead change across established teams without losing them

What’s on offer

• 25 days’ holiday, a strong pension and optional private healthcare
• Cycle to work scheme and free on-site parking
• Trust-based hybrid working
• A real stake in an employee-owned business