Embedded Software Engineer

Cortech Talent Solutions Ltd; Dundee; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Death in service at 4 x your annual

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced parental leave policies

Birthday day off

Paid bereavement and sick leave

Company salary sacrifice pension

Cycle to work scheme

Regular social breakfasts, lunches and

Job summary

Cortech Talent Solutions Ltd is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to design, build and debug software for sensor integration in marine environments. You’ll work with hardware and data science teams across the full lifecycle from requirements to deployment.

The role involves developing embedded software in Python and C/C++, working with RTOS, microcontrollers, and IoT communication protocols such as MQTT and LoRaWAN. Onsite 2-3 days a week in Glasgow or Dundee.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Typically 2+ years developing embedded software and firmware.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C/C++ for embedded systems.
• Experience with microcontrollers/MCUs (ARM Cortex-M, ESP32) and RTOS.
• Familiarity with communication protocols (MQTT, UART, SPI, I2C, Ethernet, Bluetooth).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and debug embedded software and firmware for sensor integration and monitoring systems.
• Write clean, efficient code for embedded systems (Python and/or C/C++).
• Work with microcontrollers, RTOS, and communication protocols.
• Implement data transmission and device control (MQTT, UART, SPI, I2C, Ethernet, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN).
• Integrate software with sensors, actuators and modules.
• Develop and run unit, integration and system tests.
• Troubleshoot and debug hardware/software issues with hardware team.
• Support full development lifecycle from requirements to deployment.
• Stay current with embedded software and IoT practices for marine/industrial environments.

Skills

Embedded software

Python

C/C++

RTOS

MQTT

LoRaWAN

ARM Cortex-M

Hardware integration

Debugging

Education

Bachelor's or equivalent in Computer Science / Electrical Engineering

Tools

Git

JTAG

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Schematic reading

Job description

Location: Central Glasgow OR Dundee (you can choose)

Onsite: 2-3 days a week

** This role is Exclusive to Cortech **

About the role:

As Embedded Software Engineer, you design, build and debug the embedded software and firmware that run inside hardware sensor integration, control systems and communication for our stunning, monitoring and biomass products operating in demanding marine environments.

You report to the Head of Software and work closely with the Head of Hardware/Devices’ engineering team, whose devices you bring to life in software, and with the Lead of ML & AI on integrating models at the edge.

You’ll be involved across the full lifecycle from requirements through implementation, testing and field deployment working directly with hardware engineers, data scientists and aquaculture specialists.

What you’ll be doing

• Design, develop and debug embedded software and firmware for aquaculture monitoring and control systems sensor integration, automated systems, water quality and biomass monitoring devices.
• Write clean, efficient, well-documented code for embedded systems (Python and/or C/C++ as appropriate).
• Work with microcontrollers, microprocessors and real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Implement communication protocols (MQTT, UART, SPI, I2C, Ethernet, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN) for data transmission and device control.
• Integrate software with hardware components including sensors, actuators and communication modules.
• Develop and run unit, integration and system tests to ensure embedded software quality and reliability.
• Troubleshoot and debug combined software and hardware issues, working with the Head of Hardware/Devices’ team.
• Support the full development lifecycle from requirements through implementation, testing and deployment.
• Stay current with embedded software and IoT best practice relevant to marine and industrial environments.

You’ll ideally have:

• A degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven experience (typically 2+ years) developing embedded software and firmware.
• Strong programming skills for embedded systems (Python and/or C/C++).
• Experience with microcontrollers and microprocessors (e.g. ARM Cortex-M, ESP32, NVIDIA Jetson).
• Solid understanding of communication protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, Ethernet, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, MQTT, Modbus).
• Experience with embedded debugging tools and techniques (JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analysers).
• Ability to read and work from hardware schematics and datasheets.

It would be great if you also have:

• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and IoT services.
• Familiarity with data acquisition and processing techniques, and control systems/algorithms.
• Experience with version control (Git) and agile development.
• Aquaculture, agri-tech or environmental monitoring sector experience.

The successful candidate will be:

• Comfortable working across the hardware/software boundary.
• A strong problem-solver, methodical in debugging combined hardware/software issues.
• Collaborative, working closely with hardware engineers and scientists.
• Self-starting and comfortable with ambiguity.

What we offer:

Competitive salary, based on experience

30 days annual leave (including bank holidays)

Death in service at 4 x your annual salary

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced parental leave policies

Birthday day off

Paid bereavement and sick leave

Company salary sacrifice pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Regular social breakfasts, lunches and team events