Principal Firmware Engineer

Unipart Group; Stockport; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology consultancy in the railway sector is looking for a Principal Firmware Engineer to develop high-quality firmware for embedded systems. The role includes leading development, mentoring junior engineers, and working on safety-critical projects. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant field and significant experience in embedded C development, along with knowledge of communication protocols and coding standards.

Qualifications

• Significant commercial experience in microcontroller firmware development.
• Broad grasp of the C language and object-oriented programming techniques.
• Familiarity with electronics debugging tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead in the production of high-quality firmware for embedded systems.
• Define and lead the development of unit-test software.
• Produce material to support developers.

Skills

Embedded C development

C programming

Microcontroller experience

Communication protocols (RS232/422/485, TCP/IP)

Coding standards (EN50128, MISRA-C)

Debugging techniques

Test-Driven Development

Python scripting

Education

Degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Job description

Job Advert

At Park Signalling we utilise our specialist engineering skills and knowledge to deliver products and services including
consultancy and projects. We deliver design and development, application engineering, prototype manufacture, repair and
consultancy at any stage in the life-cycle of a system or product. We design, manufacture and supply a range of products for the
needs of the world-wide railway signalling, telecommunications and industrial control system industry. As a signalling
consultancy, we are unique in the product knowledge that we hold. This know-how is current, relevant and easily transferable to
all types of fail-safe control systems and products.

We are now recruiting for a Principal Firmware Engineer to join our busy Engineering team in Stockport. As a Principal Firmware
Engineer at Park Signalling, you will play a key role in developing solutions that underpin our railway products, designed to meet
stringent safety and reliability standards for years to come. This role offers the opportunity to contribute across the full
systems lifecycle, showcasing your expertise on a range of innovative and high-impact projects. You will lead the design,
development, review, and testing of firmware for signalling solutions. In this senior position, you will be expected to mentor and
support the development of junior team members, whilst maintaining a strong awareness of business operations. Your contributions
will not only shape new products but also support and enhance existing solutions in the field.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

* Lead in the production of high-quality firmware for embedded systems using the C language

* Define and lead the development of unit-test software and other software to support development and testing.

* Provide technical leadership and policy for firmware and software development

* Produce material to support developers in their Coding and “development” activities.

* Application of communication protocols e.g. serial RS232/422/485, TCP/IP, I2C, SPI, CAN.

* Application of coding standards e.g. company design guides, EN50128, MISRA-C.

* Create clear documents and UML-based diagrams.

* Lead in the design of systems, software and firmware.

* Lead in “code reviews” of their work and that of colleagues.

* Contribute to estimates of workload and the solutions to technical problems.

* Communicate effectively, in speech and writing.

* Build effective working relationships with the team and with other key stakeholders based on mutual trust and respect that
ensure the resolution of problems locally.

* Help create a positive, enthusiastic, supportive working environment.

* Support in the development of other engineers




Candidates must be qualified to a minimum of degree level in Computer Science/Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Automation or
other relevant fields where electronic design played a significant role in your development. You will be expected to be able to
describe and discuss their prior experience, be effective communicators, and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of what they
have previously done.




Candidates will be able to demonstrate the following skills:




* Significant commercial experience in microcontroller firmware development in Embedded C

* Broad grasp of the C language and Awareness of object-oriented programming techniques.

* Application of communication protocols e.g. serial RS232/422/485, TCP/IP, I2C, SPI, CAN.

* Application of coding standards e.g. company design guides, EN50128, MISRA-C.

* Able to work with abstractions and Strong refactoring ability (breaking functions into smaller parts).

* Familiarity with electronics debugging tools and techniques.

* Evidence of working towards Standard Operating Processes and a Quality Management System.

* Experience in development practices such as Test-Driven Development, Pair Programming

* Experience in developing/debugging on ARM-based embedded platforms.

* Experience in object-oriented programming using languages such as C# or C.

* Experience in Test Driven Development and Test automation using scripting languages such as Python