Head of Software

We specialise in turning advances in sensing, AI, and communications into operational capability for the edge, where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Our work focuses on accelerating the deployment of technology, improving decision-making for frontline teams, and protecting people and critical assets in demanding environments.

Headquartered in Bristol, Rowden employs over 200 people and operates over 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. Recognised in the Financial Times FT1000 as one of Europe's fastest-growing engineering businesses, there has never been a better time to join,

 
Role purpose

Rowden is growing, in headcount and in impact. Alongside rapid prototyping and R&D, we are deploying production systems at increasing scale, relied on by customers in demanding operational environments. Our software engineering has to deliver both: the speed to prove new ideas and the depth to turn them into dependable systems.

That growth coincides with a generational shift in how software is built. AI tools are already helping us build, test and develop faster. This is a chance to shape how a growing engineering company works, pairing sound technical judgement with new tools to deliver better software at greater scale.

It’s a rare, potentially career-defining opportunity to join a fast-growing industrial technology company working at the intersection of hardware, software and AI.

Your mission is to build the software function that gives Rowden the speed and capability to deliver, and to set the standard for good software engineering as we scale. Clear vision, disciplined delivery and secure development should be the default, and teams should move at pace without burning out or relying on a handful of individuals.

You will unblock delivery by working directly with teams on hard design, integration, performance and reliability problems, spotting needless complexity and helping find a better way. You will stay technically active where it adds real value and grow strong technical leaders by solving real problems alongside them. You will also step into whichever programme most needs your judgement, while keeping a clear view of capacity, risk and the wellbeing of your people.

And you will shape what comes next. Working with our principal engineers and functional leadership, you will set a clear vision for software engineering at Rowden, covering architecture, practices, tooling and skills, and turn it into a practical roadmap that integrates with hardware and systems practice and holds up as we grow.

Candidates must be eligible for DV clearance.

More information about security clearance is available here: