Software Product Manager

Arca Resourcing Ltd; Rugby; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology recruitment agency is seeking a Software Product Manager to lead the strategy and architecture of an advanced engineering platform. Ideal candidates will have strong fluency in real-time systems, ownership of technical platforms, and experience with robotics middleware. This permanent role offers a hybrid working model based in Rugby, with a mid-senior level experience requirement and full-time employment.

Qualifications

• Fluent in real‑time systems and robotics/automotive middleware.
• Experience in shaping strategy for distributed systems.
• Technical ownership experience in complex engineering platforms.

Responsibilities

• Own the long‑term vision and roadmap for the engineering platform.
• Support architectural decisions for simulators and distributed compute.
• Drive platform reliability and establish workflows for testing and governance.

Skills

Strong understanding of distributed computer systems

Experience with RTOS, deterministic loops

Knowledge of robotics/autonomy middleware

Understanding of automotive comms

Familiarity with HIL/SIL/MIL

Awareness of C++ constraints

Experience owning a technical platform

Ability to work across engineering teams

Skilled at structuring complex backlogs

Job description

Software Product Manager – Real‑Time / Distributed Systems Platform

We’re looking for a Software Product Manager to own the strategy, architecture and delivery of a next‑generation engineering platform used across simulators, HiL rigs, robotics systems and distributed real‑time environments.

This role is ideal for someone who’s fluent in real‑time systems and robotics/automotive middleware who wants end‑to‑end ownership of a complex technical platform. You’ll define the roadmap, shape the architecture, translate engineering requirements into actionable features and guide the growth of a small but expanding team.

What You’ll Do

• Own the long‑term product vision and roadmap for a multi‑site, distributed engineering platform.
• Shape strategy across distributed systems, robotics middleware and simulator/test‑rig connectivity.
• Translate deeply technical requirements into clear, prioritised platform features.
• Support architectural decisions spanning simulators, HiL rigs, embedded controllers and distributed compute.
• Enable seamless integration between physical and virtual systems: simulators, HiL, robotics, zonal/central compute, MIL/SIL and multi‑site environments.
• Drive platform reliability: determinism, availability, data correctness and robust fault‑tolerance.
• Establish workflows for versioning, dependency management, automated integration testing and release governance.
• Support hiring and development of junior engineers and help shape the team culture.

You’ll thrive here if you have…

Technical Fluency

• Strong understanding of distributed computer systems and real‑time constraints.
• Experience with RTOS, deterministic loops, scheduling.
• Knowledge of robotics/autonomy middleware (ROS2, DDS, ZeroMQ, LCM, gRPC).
• Understanding of automotive comms (CAN/CAN‑FD, SOME/IP, TSN Ethernet).
• Familiarity with HIL/SIL/MIL, FMI/FMU and real‑time simulation environments.
• Awareness of C++ constraints, embedded platforms and real‑time software design.
• Experience owning a technical platform or major subsystem end‑to‑end.
• Ability to work across cross‑functional engineering teams and technical stakeholders.
• Skilled at structuring and prioritising complex, deeply technical backlogs.

Domain Background (any of the following):

• Automotive software / simulation
• Robotics or autonomy
• Real‑time control systems
• Aerospace, motorsport or industrial automation

Nice to Have

• Experience with multi‑site distributed test environments
• Exposure to digital twin or virtual development toolchains
• Understanding of cybersecurity considerations for high‑availability systems

This is a permanent role based out of the Rugby / Warwickshire area (Hybrid – 2 days on‑site per week) - if you would like to have a confidential conversation to explore this opportunity further, please apply for considersation.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Software Development and Robotics Engineering