R&D Software Engineer
Skills & Technologies
Job Description
About The Role FDM is a global business and technology consultancy seeking a Software Engineer to support our client within the Defence and Secure Technology sector. This is an initial 6-month contract with potential to extend, offered on a hybrid basis in London with two days per week onsite. Candidates must be eligible for UK security clearance (or already hold clearance).
The role will support a new secure innovation project focused on early-stage R&D and rapid prototyping. The role will contribute to the delivery of a Technology Readiness Level 3 proof of concept, demonstrating how security-first engineering and emerging technologies such as AI can enhance collaboration and information sharing in high-trust, defence-aligned environments. This opportunity is well suited to engineers who enjoy experimentation, fast iteration, and working in environments where requirements evolve.
Responsibilities
Design and build rapid proof-of-concept prototypes within a secure system environment
Iterate quickly based on experimentation, feedback, and learning
Apply security-first thinking to collaboration and information-sharing challenges
Contribute to system architecture and design suitable for secure or restricted environments
Integrate AI capabilities, including but not limited to language models, into prototype solutions
Build maintainable and well-structured prototype code using Python, with clear documentation
Collaborate closely with engineers, security specialists, and product stakeholders
About You
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in software engineering, R&D, or prototyping-focused roles
Proven experience in rapid prototyping or R&D-focused software engineering roles
Strong proficiency in Python for building and iterating prototype solutions
Experience integrating AI or advanced analytics, including exposure to language models or similar technologies
Solid understanding of software and systems design principles, including user-centred design
Experience working within secure, restricted, or regulated environments, including air-gapped systems
Ability to work effectively in ambiguous environments where requirements evolve rapidly
Eligibility for UK security clearance or already clearable
Company & Role Analysis
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