Control and Software Validation Lead

As a Controls & Software Validation Lead, you will join our Brentwood team to support our activities within the alternative fuels, marine, and industrial engineering sectors. You will lead the capture, validation, and delivery of software requirements for advanced control systems across innovative engineering projects. Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will drive software verification activities, support certification efforts, and ensure that control system functionality is thoroughly tested and validated before deployment into operational environments. - Location: Brentwood - On Site: Hybrid - Clearance: Clearable - Experience Level: Mid- Level (5-9 years of experience) Key Responsibilities: - Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to capture, refine, and manage hardware and software requirements - Produce certification-ready documentation covering functional specifications, safety logic, interlocks, and software testing activities - Develop and integrate PLC and ECU source code into released software modules - Develop and execute Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test strategies and test cases - Coordinate software validation activities with engineers and technicians - Act as the interface between software, engineering, and test teams to resolve technical and integration issues - Support safety assessments, risk analysis activities, and requirements capture exercises - Monitor and analyse system performance data from deployed applications - Manage data logging and performance monitoring activities - Work closely with Project Managers and Principal Engineers to ensure software deliverables meet programme schedules - Support wider technical activities across the business as required Required Skills: - Strong experience in software development, software validation, requirements management, or control systems engineering - Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering environments - Practical experience with SIL and/or HIL testing environments - Ability to translate customer and engineering requirements into testable specifications - Experience supporting regulatory, certification, or audit-driven projects - Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional communication skills - Ability to manage software requirements through the full development lifecycle - Experience working independently while collaborating effectively within project teams Required Qualifications: - A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience. - 5–10 years of relevant technical experience in software development, validation, controls engineering, or requirements management - Experience working within regulated engineering environments - Understanding of structured software development and verification processes Desirable Skills: - Experience with Azure DevOps - Experience using MATLAB and Simulink - Knowledge of PLCs, ECUs, and embedded control systems - Familiarity with safety and risk assessment methodologies such as FMEA, HAZID, and HAZOP - Experience supporting certification and approval activities - Knowledge of alternative fuel, propulsion, marine, industrial, or energy systems