Lead design and development of Android applications using Kotlin/Java, own key features (including ATAK plugins), ensure secure, maintainable, well-tested code, drive architectural decisions, mentor junior engineers, collaborate with Test/Infrastructure/Product teams, and keep up with evolving Android OS features.
We’re building the UK's next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience.
We specialise in turning advances in sensing, AI, and communications into operational capability for the edge, where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Our work focuses on accelerating the deployment of technology, improving decision-making for frontline teams, and protecting people and critical assets in demanding environments.
Headquartered in Bristol, Rowden employs around 160 people and operates over 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. We have a growing international footprint and are one of Europe’s fastest-growing engineering businesses.
We specialise in turning advances in sensing, AI, and communications into operational capability for the edge, where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Our work focuses on accelerating the deployment of technology, improving decision-making for frontline teams, and protecting people and critical assets in demanding environments.
Headquartered in Bristol, Rowden employs around 160 people and operates over 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. We have a growing international footprint and are one of Europe’s fastest-growing engineering businesses.
About the role
Our software team is growing! We’re looking for a motivated and talented Senior Android Developer to help solve interesting, real-world problems for our customers. You will be an integral part of our development team, solving challenging technical problems and owning the development of key features on a variety of projects including ATAK plugins, AI integrated apps, and network configuration tools.
You’ll also contribute to a hands-on engineering culture, sharing knowledge and lessons with the wider engineering team, and learn some new things yourself along the way.
Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.
More information about security clearance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels
Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.
More information about security clearance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels
Key areas of responsibility
As a Senior Android Developer at Rowden, you’ll be responsible for:
- Designing, developing, and maintaining Android applications using Kotlin.
- Leading technical design discussions and contributing to architectural decisions.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams including Test, Infrastructure, and Product.
- Ensuring compliance with secure company coding standards.
- Writing clean, maintainable, and well-tested code with an emphasis on reliability and performance.
- Providing mentorship and guidance to junior and mid-level engineers.
- Participating in code reviews, system design, and technical documentation
- Promoting a culture of good software engineering practices across the team.
- Maintaining knowledge of new and evolving features of the Android OS.
Key skills, experience and behaviours
We are looking for someone who is passionate about technology and who actively invests in their technical skills and abilities. You will be constantly learning and developing in this role, but some key skills and experience you should have already include:
Essential
- 5+ years of professional Android development experience with Kotlin/Java.
- Experience with GitHub and GitHub Actions for CI/CD (or equivalent).
- Good experience of software development in an agile environment (including agile management, version control, issue tracking, code review and continuous integration methods and tools).
- Experience creating clean, maintainable, low complexity, self-describing code.
- An understanding of software security principles and implementation.
- Knowledge of industry-wide technology trends and best practices.
Desirable
- Exposure to Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK), plugin development.
- Hardware integration via RS232, Bluetooth, REST APIs etc.
- Network Analysis with WireShark.
- Reverse engineering with tools such as JADX and APK Studio.
- Experience with multiple languages including Python, C++, Rust and Go.
About you
The ideal candidate will have a strong balance of technical skills and experience as well as behavioural competencies that we believe are key to success in the role. You should:
- Be an enthusiast for solving challenging, real-world technical problems.
- Be passionate about learning new things and helping others to do the same.
- Have good interpersonal and communication skills.
- Be willing to voice up when you disagree with a technical approach or find areas for improvement.
Working at Rowden
We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are!
We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible, hybrid-working model, with an average 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility, part-time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants.
Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.
Finally, if you feel that you don’t meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we’d still love to hear from you!
About
What matters to us? Our focus is on the end user. We exist to deliver the best possible outcomes for the users of our systems. Pace matters. The problems we solve are urgent. Our diverse skills and backgrounds make us better. Our team prides itself on being inclusive and multidisciplinary. We are radically honest. Saying what we mean, even when it isn’t easy. We are pragmatists. We provide realistic, focused solutions that get to the point. We improve continuously. We are relentless in our drive to make things better.
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