Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

We’re creating the UK’s next-generation engineering powerhouse, delivering critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience. 

We turn advances in sensing, AI and communications into operational capability at the edge, where connectivity may be limited or unavailable. Our work accelerates technology deployment, improves frontline decision-making, and protects people and critical assets in demanding environments. 

Based in Bristol, Rowden currently employs around 200 people and operates more than 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. With a growing international presence, we are one of Europe’s fastest-growing engineering businesses.

The role

We’re growing our team and looking for a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to enable us to continue to build out our test frameworks, tooling and emulated environments that underpin assured software across complex, mission‑critical systems.

You’ll take responsibility for software quality within your projects, playing a key part in ensuring Rowden’s software is robust, reliable, and meets the standards expected by our mission-focused customers.

This is an engineering role as much as a testing one. You’ll design and build new automation frameworks from the ground up, and develop our emulated test capability, such as network and link emulation, simulated devices and nodes, and stand-ins for cloud services, so that we can test distributed, data-synchronising systems repeatably and under realistic, degraded conditions without needing the full hardware estate.

You’ll work across a diverse set of projects, including bespoke mobile applications, geospatial tooling, cloud platforms, sensing and provisioning systems. Many of these integrate closely with hardware, so experience working across software and hardware ecosystems is essential.

You’ll operate confidently across multidisciplinary environments, contribute to complex deliveries and help shape how we approach quality in challenging, real-world conditions. You will play a pivotal role in delivering our next generation of critical technologies that bridge the gap between frontline operators and the commercial advancements they need to succeed.

While this role offers hybrid working options, it requires a minimum of 3 days per week on-site at our Bristol HQ, with occasional travel to support integration and testing activities.

More information about security clearance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels