Embedded Firmware Engineer

Computer Futures - London & S.E(Permanent and Contract); Newport; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology recruitment firm located in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer to design and develop Real Time Embedded software for aviation. The ideal candidate will have 10-15 years of experience in low-level C programming, strong microcontroller knowledge, and the ability to work independently. This role offers a hybrid working arrangement with substantial lab collaboration.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

5% employer pension contribution

Annual bonus scheme

Early finish Fridays

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of experience in Embedded software/firmware for Real Time systems.
• Proven delivery of drivers and hardware integration.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Define software architecture and lead peer reviews.
• Develop firmware in C for microcontrollers.
• Deliver fully documented designs and implementation plans.
• Mentor a graduate software engineer.

Skills

Embedded software development

Expert-level C

Microprocessor/Microcontroller architecture

Version control (Git)

Agile practices

Team communication

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic/protocol analysers

CI/CD

Job description

Overview

Help shape the next generation of intelligent LED cabin lighting for commercial aviation. This is a hands-on role building robust, Real Time Embedded software from the ground up, from architecture and algorithms through to implementation, verification, and delivery for safety-critical use.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture & design: Define software structure, interfaces, and interactions with hardware and other systems; produce design docs and lead peer reviews.
• Build from first principles: Develop bare-metal/RTOS firmware in C for microcontrollers and programmable logic devices.
• Low-level development: Write drivers and Real Time control software; interface with peripherals (eg, temperature sensors, I²C, SPI, UART, CAN).
• Platform fundamentals: Develop and maintain bootloaders, secure update mechanisms, and modular, object-oriented components where appropriate.
• Hands-on debug: Triage HW/SW interactions using oscilloscopes, logic/protocol analysers; comfortable doing fine soldering/rework as needed.
• Verification & documentation: Deliver fully documented designs, implementation plans, and contribute across unit, integration, and system testing.
• Technical leadership: Mentor a graduate software engineer and set engineering standards within the team.

Essential qualifications

• Significant experience (ideally 10-15 years) in Embedded software/firmware for Real Time or bare-metal systems.
• Expert-level C for low-level Embedded development; strong Microprocessor/Microcontroller architecture knowledge.
• Proven delivery of drivers, peripheral bring-up, and hardware integration.
• Lab confidence: oscilloscopes, logic/protocol analysers; comfortable with board-level investigation and occasional soldering.
• Version control (Git) and Agile practices.
• Clear, methodical documentation and the ability to own solutions end-to-end.
• Strong communication and the autonomy to hit the ground running.

Desirable qualifications

• Safety-critical/high-integrity experience (eg DO-178C, ISO 26262, IEC 61508).
• FPGA or other low-level hardware programming exposure.
• CI/CD and automated test familiarity.

Working arrangement

• Onboarding: Expect to be on-site 4 days/week for the first 2-3 months to immerse in the lab, hardware, and product context.
• Thereafter: Hybrid pattern of 3 days a week with ongoing lab collaboration as projects require.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holiday)
• Company-wide Christmas shutdown (allocated from leave allowance)
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Annual bonus scheme based on company and individual performance
• 37.5-hour work week
• Early finish Fridays 1pm every week
• Free annual eye test
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for confidential support

If you thrive on low-level C, enjoy architecting clean solutions, and like rolling up your sleeves in the lab we'd love to hear from you!

Apply now or get in touch for a confidential chat.