R&D Software Engineer

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

• 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

FDM is an award-winning global leader in tech and business talent solutions, backed by more than 35 years of industry experience. We have centres across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, and a global workforce of over 2500 employees. FDM has shown exponential growth throughout the years, firmly establishing itself as an award-winning employer, currently listed on the FTSE4Good Index and as a 2026 Financial Times UK 'Best Employer'.

Diversity and Inclusion

FDM Group is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, provincial or local laws.

Why join us?

• Career coaching, mentoring and access to upskilling throughout your entire FDM career
• Initial upskilling pre-assignment that has been accredited by TechSkills
• Assignments with global companies and opportunities to work abroad
• Opportunity to obtain certifications from Microsoft, Salesforce, Cisco and more