High integrity software engineer
Engineering and manufacturing
Level 6 -
Developing software to support safety critical industries.
Reference: OCC0013
Status:
SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 2126/02 Aircraft engineers (professional)
- 2134/03 Software developers
Technical Education Products
Employers involved in creating the standard:
BAE Systems, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Leonardo, Rolls Royce plc
Summary
This occupation is predominately found in safety critical industries where software failure may cause serious damage or danger to life including aerospace, nuclear, automotive and process control sectors. The occupation can be found in large, medium and small employers across the world. High integrity software engineers may work on specific safety critical software products. They may also work on bespoke tooling and associated integrated environments and infrastructure. Employment fields include:
- aerospace manufacturers
- nuclear reactor controls manufacturers
- automotive safety critical software systems
- industrial process control systems
The broad purpose of the occupation is to design, develop and test, real-time safety-critical software. They develop embedded high integrity systems software and stand-alone applications used in sector specific support. They develop and test tools that support the creation of high integrity software. They support customers and suppliers by maintaining and improving software utilities and tools. They develop processes for the development and test of products. They review performance, design, test and use project management and continuous improvement techniques. They proactively find solutions to problems and identify areas for business improvement.
High integrity software engineers are typically office-based. They may be required to work in simulation rig testing facilities, or in operational environments.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation may interact with customers. They may also interact with system operators, other specialist engineers, technicians, partners and suppliers. They also interact with colleagues across other areas in their organisation. For example, manufacturing, project management, quality assurance, finance, human resources, procurement and safety.
They typically report to senior engineers, senior specialists or chief engineers depending on the organisation.
An employee in this occupation is responsible for working ethically and professionally. They may work to regulatory requirements for sector specific industries. They must meet statutory and company regulations. For example, health and safety, environment and sustainability, cost, quality, accuracy and efficiency. High integrity software engineers work individually and as part of a team. They are responsible for the safety and security of the product they create. Depending on the size and structure of the organisation they may manage software technicians or teams of engineers.
Employers involved in creating the standard:
BAE Systems, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Leonardo, Rolls Royce plc
Typical job titles include:
Keywords:
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
Duties
Duty D1
Define and maintain the engineering plan detailing the implementation of software engineering solutions. In collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and organisational stakeholders.
Duty D2
Identify, evaluate, derive, analyse and maintain software requirements for customer and projects.
Duty D3
Define and maintain the architecture and design of software products, tools, utilities and applications to meet project requirements.
Duty D4
Implement high integrity software design from combinations of new, modified and existing components to meet project requirements.
Duty D5
Develop, define and execute testing of high integrity software products to verify functionality and performance.
Duty D6
Analyse and review the high integrity software outputs.
Duty D7
Undertake and complete build, configure and release of the high integrity software product.
Duty D8
Verify that software processes and procedures comply with standards throughout the life cycle. These include local, national and international regulatory, legislative, customer and company standards. For example, cyber security, development, environmental, anti-bribery and corruption. Official Secrets Act, export control, safety standards.
Duty D9
Review the in-service performance of software products, processes and systems. Assess the cause of any faults or problems and propose solutions.
Duty D10
Manage stakeholders by communicating project status, technical and commercial information. For example, communicate success, risks and issues to all levels of the business.
Duty D11
Define, monitor and co-ordinate the continuous improvement of software processes and methods.
Occupational Progression
This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.
In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.
It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.
Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.
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