Firmware Engineering Lead

Budweiser Brewing Group (AB InBev); Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 holidays per year + bank holidays &

Pension (up to 8% employer contrib.)

Private medical insurance

26 weeks paid parental leave

Beer allowance

Volunteer days

Life assurance

Job summary

Budweiser Brewing Group (AB InBev) seeks a Firmware Lead Engineer to lead the embedded software platform for a connected-appliance ecosystem. You will architect firmware, integrate with hardware, sensors and cloud services, and drive production readiness.

You will manage a Firmware Developer, ensure robust testing and release discipline, and collaborate with hardware, cloud and external R&D partners to deliver reliable firmware at scale.

Qualifications

• Embedded C++ on RTOS with hardware interfaces.
• Bring-up, debugging, and testing firmware on physical devices.
• Connected products with device-to-cloud integration experience.
• Modular software design and system-level trade-offs.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve firmware architecture for the device platform.
• Develop/review embedded C++ on ESP32-C5; manage hardware integration.
• Guide event-driven messaging and typed contracts for component integration.
• Integrate firmware with sensors, actuators, UI, diagnostics and monitoring.
• Work with hardware abstraction layers; ensure testability of device code.
• Integrate Wi‑Fi, BLE provisioning and cloud services (telemetry, commands, state).
• Support secure device operation and OTA updates.
• Lead firmware delivery from design to production release; drive defects to resolution.
• Coordinate with product, hardware, cloud, mobile teams and external partners.
• Line manage and mentor the Firmware Developer; set quality expectations.
• Establish coding, testing, review and release practices to reduce defects.

Skills

Embedded C++

RTOS

Firmware debugging

Device-to-cloud

Technical leadership

Testing & release discipline

AI-assisted development

ESP32/ESP-IDF

Cloud integration

Tools

ESP32/ESP-IDF

TLS provisioning

OTA updates

BLE provisioning

Azure IoT / AWS IoT

Job description

Seniority Level: Associate

#DreamBig

Purpose:

Brewing the world’s most loved beers and building brands consumers love, AB InBev is where ownership, ambition, and action thrive. Our portfolio of iconic brands includes global classics like Stella Artois, Budweiser, and Corona, and well-known favorites such as Camden Hells, Beck’s, and Leffe. We empower you to dream big, lead change, and create a long-lasting legacy. We value relentless problem-solvers who take accountability, embrace challenges, and turn bold goals into results through resilience and hard work.

About PerfectDraft:

PerfectDraft combines connected appliances, apps, cloud services, and eCommerce, with firmware at the heart of product reliability, safety, and customer experience. Our multidisciplinary engineering team values ownership, clear communication and practical problem-solving to deliver reliable products at global scale. We embrace AI-assisted development to improve productivity and quality. The Firmware Lead Engineer must use these tools responsibly, validate generated code, and remain accountable for its correctness, security, and on-device behaviour.

The role:

Lead firmware engineering and delivery for a new connected-appliance platform, from architecture and hardware integration through validation and production release. Work hands-on within the architectural direction set by the Head of Domain, shaping implementation decisions and coordinating delivery across the squad, contractors and external R&D partners. The role combines technical leadership with line management of one Firmware Developer. You will help make the platform reliable, testable and ready for production, integrating device behavior with connectivity and cloud services.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Define and evolve firmware architecture for the device platform, working within agreed domain standards.
• Develop and review embedded C++ software for the ESP32-C5 platform, keeping hardware access, connectivity, and product behavior in clear modules.
• Guide implementation of the platform’s event-driven messaging and typed contracts so components can integrate without unnecessary coupling.
• Integrate firmware with sensors, actuators, cooling and keg-management functions, the user interface, diagnostics and monitoring.
• Work with the hardware abstraction layers to keep device-specific access separate from product logic and support consistent testing.
• Integrate Wi‑Fi, BLE provisioning and cloud services, including telemetry, device commands and reported or desired state.
• Support secure device operation and update flows, including provisioning, TLS and over‑the‑air updates.
• Lead firmware delivery from design and hardware bring‑up through integration, validation, field testing and production release.
• Debug behaviour across firmware, hardware, connectivity and cloud interfaces; drive defects through to resolution and use field evidence to improve the platform.
• Support applicable regulatory and certification work, working with hardware, quality and programme teams on firmware evidence and fixes.
• Coordinate firmware work with product, hardware, cloud and mobile teams, external R&D partners and contractors.
• Line manage and mentor the Firmware Developer, setting clear expectations for engineering quality and delivery.
• Establish practical coding, testing, review, and release practices that make firmware maintainable and reduce defects reaching production.

Who we’re looking for:

• Strong hands‑on experience developing embedded software in C++ and working with real‑time operating systems and hardware interfaces.
• Proven ability to bring up, debug, and test firmware on physical devices.
• Experience with connected products, networking protocols, and device-to-cloud integration.
• Ability to design modular software and communicate system‑level technical trade‑offs.
• Experience leading technical delivery, mentoring engineers and coordinating cross‑functional teams and external partners.
• Strong focus on testing, release discipline, risk management, and continuous engineering improvement.
• Confident use of AI‑assisted development tools, with accountability for code quality, correctness, security, and production readiness.
• Nice to have: ESP32/Espressif IDF, modern C++23, Azure IoT/AWS IoT, BLE provisioning, secure boot, flash encryption, OTA updates and device certification.
• Success measures: Reliable firmware delivery aligned with milestones, maintainable interfaces, robust connectivity, early defect resolution and readiness for certification and production.
• Practical skills and relevant experience are prioritised over formal qualifications; a degree is not required.

Benefits & Perks:

• 25 holidays per year + bank holidays & holiday trading options
• Pension (up to 8% employer contribution) & income protection
• Comprehensive health & wellbeing benefits (fully funded private medical insurance, dental insurance, gym discounts, Employee Assistance Programme)
• 26 weeks paid parental leave for eligible primary caregivers
• A beer allowance to enjoy our brands
• 2 volunteer days a year to support your local community
• Life assurance & charitable giving

Why build your career with us

We recruit for mindset, ambition, cultural fit, and growth opportunities.

UNIQUE CULTURE

We are proud to be part of something bigger than ourselves and are passionate about building upon our company’s long legacy. We believe in collaboration and candor, which results in a dynamic culture with open communication.

BRANDS EVERYONE LOVES

We are part of the collective, global history of beer. We are the proud makers of more than 500 iconic brands, from beloved international classics to local favorites.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Our people grow at the pace of their talent. We empower our people to learn, expand their perspectives, and unlock career growth. In an environment where commitment to excellence pays off, our people are able to deepen their impact and create a long-lasting legacy.