Principal Engineer – Software (C4/HMI) – Defence

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Principal Engineer to lead the design and development of user‑interface components for a complex defence communications and command‑and‑control (C2) system. The role sits within a multidisciplinary team in Abu Dhabi, delivering mission‑critical software that supports operational capabilities.

Key responsibilities

• Produce UI product and system requirement specifications based on end‑user input and operational analysis.
• Develop design concepts and implementation specifications with a strong focus on usability.
• Create, evaluate and modify prototypes, operational scenarios and process maps, emphasizing task analysis and interaction.
• Contribute to software architecture, detailed design and integration across distributed systems.
• Maintain software design artefacts, participate in technical reviews and design discussions.
• Ensure software quality through automated unit tests, integration/system/acceptance testing support and code/peer reviews.

Required profile

• Degree in Software Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of software development experience, preferably in communications, defence or mission‑critical distributed systems.
• Strong foundation in software engineering fundamentals and disciplined design and testing approaches.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Java development.
• Experience with GIS frameworks such as LuciadLightspeed or NASA World Wind.
• Strong knowledge of Web UI technologies: HTML, JavaScript and CSS.
• Understanding of UML and software modelling.
• Familiarity with Human Factors / Human Systems Integration analysis techniques.