Embedded Engineer

Russell Tobin; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Russell Tobin in Cambridge, UK is seeking an experienced Software Engineer to maintain and expand Python-based backend data collection systems. You will integrate prototype hardware devices and improve the reliability and efficiency of data collection and processing workflows across audio, video, and sensor modalities.

This hands-on role focuses on backend development, systems integration, automation, and troubleshooting in a physical laboratory environment, collaborating with software,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• Approximately 8–10 years of professional software engineering experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with large Python codebases.
• Proficient in Linux environments and shell scripting (Bash).
• Experience with distributed systems, RESTful APIs, and concurrency.
• Familiarity with hardware integration, data collection, and lab automation.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and enhance Python backend applications and data collection systems.
• Build software components to integrate hardware devices, wearables, and sensors.
• Improve efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of data collection workflows.
• Develop RESTful services and distributed systems.
• Automate data validation and transformation for research formats.
• Deploy, test, and evaluate upgrades to distributed data platforms.
• Build and maintain monitoring tools for system health and performance.
• Troubleshoot software, networking, and hardware integration in a lab environment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to scope requirements and priorities.
• Contribute to code reviews and engineering best practices.

Skills

Python

Linux

Networking

Distributed systems

FastAPI

RESTful APIs

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

Git

Windows administration

Job description

Location: Cambridge, UK

Work Arrangement: Fully onsite – 5 days per week

Contract Duration: 12 months

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

Job Type: Contract

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Software Engineer to maintain and expand software systems supporting a specialist data collection laboratory. You will develop Python-based backend applications, integrate prototype hardware devices, and improve the reliability, accuracy, and efficiency of data collection and processing workflows.

You will work closely with software engineers, audio/video engineers, recording technicians, and research teams to build and maintain robust software solutions that support data collection across multiple modalities, including audio, video, and sensor data.

This is a hands‑on engineering role focused on backend development, systems integration, automation, and troubleshooting rather than machine learning model development.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and enhance Python-based backend applications and data collection systems.
• Build software components and controllers to integrate hardware devices, prototype wearables, and third‑party sensors.
• Improve the efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of data collection and processing workflows.
• Develop and maintain RESTful services and distributed systems.
• Automate data validation, processing, and transformation into required research formats.
• Deploy, test, and evaluate upgrades to distributed data collection platforms.
• Build and maintain monitoring tools to track system health and performance.
• Troubleshoot software, networking, and hardware integration issues in a physical laboratory environment.
• Conduct root‑cause analysis and resolve technical issues during live data collection sessions.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional engineering and research teams to scope requirements, prioritise tasks, and deliver maintainable software.
• Contribute to code reviews, engineering best practices, and continuous improvements to existing systems.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Approximately 8–10 years of professional software engineering experience.
• Strong hands‑on experience developing and maintaining large Python codebases.
• Proficiency in Linux environments and shell scripting, including Bash.
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals, including IP networking, TCP/IP, VLANs, and network topology.
• Experience developing and supporting distributed systems, RESTful APIs, and concurrent applications.
• Experience with FastAPI or a similar Python backend framework.
• Understanding of time synchronisation and its application in distributed systems.
• Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to work onsite and collaborate closely with engineers and technical specialists.
• Experience integrating hardware devices, embedded systems, wearable technology, or sensors.
• Familiarity with audio, image, and video formats or multimedia data collection.
• Experience with data acquisition systems, instrumentation, or laboratory automation.
• Knowledge of relational databases and graph or NoSQL databases.
• Experience with software and hardware testing frameworks.
• Experience with Windows systems administration.
• Basic network programming experience.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on Python backend engineer with strong Linux, networking, and distributed systems knowledge. You should be comfortable working across software and hardware interfaces, troubleshooting issues in a physical lab environment, and building reliable systems for accurate data collection and processing.

Candidates whose experience is primarily frontend development, machine learning research, or high‑volume big data processing without strong Python backend and networking skills may be less suited to this role.