Overview

Contract Software Engineer – Aerospace & Defence, Motherwell, Scotland

£45–£60 per hour (DOE) • 37.5 hours per week • Initial 6-month contract (likely extension up to 23 months)

Are you an experienced Software Engineer seeking your next contract in a high-integrity, mission-critical industry? This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-respected aerospace and defence business based in Motherwell, working on cutting-edge technologies that support UK defence capabilities.

Why This Opportunity

• Long-term contract potential – initial 6 months with strong likelihood of extension up to 23 months.
• Hybrid working – initial period on-site followed by a flexible remote/on-site pattern.
• High-impact projects – contribute to major UK defence systems and aerospace technologies.
• Professional environment – join a multidisciplinary team of experts and gain exposure to advanced engineering standards.

Working Pattern

• First 3 months: Full-time onsite in Motherwell
• After 3 months: Hybrid model – 1 week onsite, 3 weeks remote (subject to business needs)

Daily Rate

£45 – £60 per hour, depending on experience (Outside IR35)

Key Responsibilities

• Develop innovative, high-quality software products aligned with established aerospace and defence standards.
• Collaborate within a cross-functional engineering team throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Translate system requirements into robust software designs, implement, test, and support integration and deployment.
• Take technical ownership of deliverables and contribute to mentoring junior team members.
• Support design assurance, configuration management, documentation, and release processes to meet quality and compliance requirements.

What You'll Bring

• Background in Instrumentation & Control Engineering or a related discipline.
• Practical experience or working knowledge of:
• PLC programming
• SCADA systems
• Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
• Strong understanding of engineering standards and quality processes within high-assurance industries.

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of the work:

• Applicants must be UK citizens, born in the UK
• Must be eligible to undergo and pass security vetting procedures

This role offers a rare chance to apply your technical skills to nationally significant projects in a secure and well-established engineering environment. If you're a contractor looking to make an impact in the aerospace and defence sector – this is your next move.

Apply directly or get in touch: alison.francis@holtengineering.co.uk