Senior C++ Software Engineer

Darktrace is a global leader in AI for cybersecurity that keeps organizations ahead of the changing threat landscape every day. Founded in 2013, Darktrace provides the essential cybersecurity platform protecting nearly 10,000 organizations from unknown threats using its proprietary AI.

The Darktrace Active AI Security Platform™ delivers a proactive approach to cyber resilience to secure the business across the entire digital estate – from network to cloud to email. Breakthrough innovations from our R&D teams have resulted in over 200 patent applications filed. Darktrace’s platform and services are supported by over 2,400 employees around the world. To learn more, visit http://www.darktrace.com.

Job Description:

Join our dynamic R&D teams in Cambridge, where you'll contribute to the design, development, and optimisation of high-performance, C++-driven systems powering our company’s rapid growth.

Please note this is a hybrid position that requires attendance in the Cambridge office at least 2 days a week.

What will I be doing:

As a Senior C++ Software Engineer, you will own the prototyping and development of new and innovative ideas using modern C++ (C++17/20 and beyond), helping to advance Darktrace’s services through high-performance, low-latency systems. You’ll balance creativity, logical thinking, and practical constraints to deliver efficient, production-grade features.

You'll collaborate closely with a cross-functional team of engineers, designers, project coordinators, and technical strategists to deliver cutting-edge solutions, with a strong emphasis on performance, scalability, and robustness. You will also be responsible, but not limited to:

• Contributing to projects ranging from rapid prototyping in modern C++ to the structured development and optimisation of large-scale native systems,
• Designing and implementing efficient, memory-safe, and high-performance code using advanced C++ concepts (RAII, templates, STL, concurrency, smart pointers),
• Advancing our unique methodology for defending against unknown cyber-attacks through performant and secure native tooling,
• Applying a strong engineering mindset that balances innovation with best practices in system design, code quality, and maintainability,
• Developing deep expertise in C++ and adjacent low-level technologies, with opportunities to specialise in systems programming, performance optimisation, or security-focused development.

What experience do I need:

We seek engineers with a strong C++ focus, a solution-oriented mindset, and an analytical approach to problem-solving. During the interview process, you'll demonstrate your ability to write efficient, production-quality C++ code and reason about system-level behaviour. Additionally, you should be:

• Comfortable working autonomously, making informed design and implementation decisions within complex C++ codebases, while collaborating effectively within a team,
• Knowledgeable or interested in cyber security, low-level systems, and malware forensics,
• Experienced in performance analysis, profiling, and optimisation of native applications (e.g. multithreading, concurrency, CPU/memory efficiency),
• Familiar with modern C++ development tooling (CMake, GCC/Clang, debugging with GDB/LLDB),
• Familiar with Docker and containerisation,
• Knowledgeable about Linux/Unix environments and systems-level development,
• Knowledgeable about cloud computing environments (beneficial but not essential),
• Experience with complementary languages such as Python or Rust is beneficial, but a strong foundation in C++ is essential.

Benefits:

• 23 days’ holiday + all public holidays, rising to 25 days after 2 years of service,

• Additional day off for your birthday,

• Private medical insurance which covers you, your cohabiting partner and children,

• Life insurance of 4 times your base salary,

• Salary sacrifice pension scheme,

• Enhanced family leave,

• Confidential Employee Assistance Program,

• Cycle to work scheme.