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High Integrity Software Engineer

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Primary Secondary Post-16

Imagine building the computer brains for things where mistakes could be really, really serious like an aeroplane autopilot, a medical device that helps someone breathe, or the control system for a nuclear power plant. That's what a High Integrity Software Engineer does! Your job is to design, write, and test software that absolutely has to work perfectly, every single time, without any errors. It's not just about making the software do what it's supposed to, but making sure it's super reliable and safe, even if unexpected things happen. This means following very strict rules and using special techniques to prove the software is correct and can be trusted. You'll spend a lot of time thinking about all the ways something could go wrong and building in safeguards to prevent it. This often involves detailed planning, coding in specific programming languages, and rigorous testing. You might work on different parts of a big project, like the software for a self-driving car's emergency braking system or the controls for a satellite. It's a challenging but very rewarding career because you're creating technology that truly makes a difference to safety and critical operations, and it requires a keen eye for detail and a real passion for problem-solving.

High Integrity Software Engineer

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📊 Statistics

Average Starting Salary

For a High Integrity Software Engineer in the UK, a starting salary can typically be around 30,000 to 45,000 pounds per year, especially for graduates or those with a few years experience. More experienced engineers can earn much more.

Experienced Salary Range

With more experience, a High Integrity Software Engineer in the UK can expect to earn between 50,000 and 80,000 pounds annually. Very senior roles, especially in specialised fields, can reach 90,000 pounds or more.

Job Market Demand

The demand for High Integrity Software Engineers in the UK is growing, particularly in sectors like aerospace, defence, automotive, and medical devices. These are often complex and safety critical industries always looking for skilled people.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Avionics Software Engineer

Imagine helping to design the computer programs that make aeroplanes fly safely. You'd be working on the 'brains' of aircraft, making sure everything runs perfectly, just like the computers in a car or a phone, but for something that flies!

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Medical Device Software Engineer

This is about creating the software for machines that help people stay healthy, like heart monitors or special equipment in hospitals. You'd be making sure these important devices work flawlessly and are super reliable.

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Automotive Safety Software Engineer

Think about the computer programs that make sure cars are super safe, like the ones for airbags, anti-lock brakes, or even self-driving features. You'd be designing software that has to work perfectly every single time to keep people safe on the roads.

Build Your Foundations

Ace Your School Subjects

Focus on Maths and Science at school, as these are super important for understanding how computers work and solving complex problems.

Maths helps you with logic and problem-solving, which are key in programming. Science, especially physics or computer science if available, will give you a good start in understanding systems. Aim for good grades in these subjects to open doors to further education.

Get to Know Computers

Start exploring how computers work, not just how to use them. Try coding with simple languages or building small projects.

You could try online tutorials for languages like Python, which is very beginner-friendly. Look for free resources like Codecademy, Scratch, or BBC Bitesize. Understanding basic programming concepts like variables, loops, and conditions will give you a head start.

Join Tech Clubs

If your school has a coding club, robotics club, or science club, join it! It's a great way to learn more and meet others who love tech.

Being part of a club lets you work on projects with others, learn from more experienced students or teachers, and see different ways people approach problems. It's also a chance to find out about local competitions or workshops.

Further Your Education

Choose A-Levels Wisely

When you're choosing your A-Levels (or equivalent qualifications), pick subjects like Maths, Further Maths, Physics, and Computer Science.

These subjects are often required or highly recommended for university degrees in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related fields. Strong grades in these will make your university applications much stronger.

Go to University

Study for a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related engineering field at university.

Look for courses that include modules on software design, testing, safety-critical systems, or embedded systems. Some universities might even offer specific programmes or pathways related to high-integrity software. A good degree is almost always a requirement for this specialised job.

Do a Work Placement

If your university course offers a 'sandwich year' or summer placements, try to get experience at a company that develops high-integrity software.

Work placements are brilliant for getting real-world experience and seeing what the job is actually like. Look for companies in aerospace, defence, medical devices, or automotive industries. It's also a great way to make contacts and potentially secure a job after you graduate.

Start Your Career

Apply for Junior Roles

Look for entry-level positions like 'Junior Software Engineer' or 'Graduate Software Engineer' in companies that work on critical systems.

Companies in sectors like aerospace, automotive, medical devices, or rail often have dedicated graduate schemes. These programmes are designed to give you a broad range of experience and training specifically in developing reliable and safe software.

Learn Industry Standards

Once you're in a job, focus on understanding and applying the strict industry standards and regulations for high-integrity software.

You'll learn about specific standards like DO-178C for aerospace, IEC 61508 for industrial functional safety, or ISO 26262 for automotive. These are crucial for ensuring the software meets the highest levels of safety and reliability required for critical applications.

Keep Learning and Growing

The world of technology changes fast, so keep updating your skills and knowledge throughout your career.

Attend workshops, get certifications in specific tools or methodologies (like Agile or specific programming languages), and read up on new technologies and best practices. Staying curious and continuously learning is essential to excel in this highly specialised and critical field.

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🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in High Integrity Software Engineer. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

A High Integrity Software Engineer focuses on creating reliable and robust software, which aligns with the 'Design and development engineer' role, as it involves the conceptualisation, creation, and refinement of systems and products, often including software elements, with a strong emphasis on quality and integrity.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

University

You can take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course. 

Subjects include:

  • engineering product design
  • industrial design
  • computer-aided design engineering
  • engineering design and manufacture
  • materials science
  • maths and physics

Mechanical, electrical and civil engineering qualifications might also be accepted by employers.

Courses accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) may help your career development later on.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths

More Information

Apprenticeship

You might be able to apply for a Product Design and Development Engineer, or Robotics Engineer, Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This can take around 4 and a half years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You could apply directly for design and development engineer roles.

You'll need experience and qualifications in a particular branch of engineering, for example:

  • mechanical
  • aerospace
  • energy
  • automotive
  • manufacturing

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about engineering careers and training from the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) and Neon.

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