Senior Firmware Engineer at Hive

Centrica; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Energy allowance 15%

Pension plan

Company healthcare

Holiday buy/sell (up to 5 days)

Job summary

Centrica Hive in the UK is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer to own the firmware for our consumer IoT devices, from concept through to delivery. This UK-based hybrid role offers occasional site travel and the chance to work on scalable, secure firmware powering heating, home automation and energy products.

You will lead a small firmware team, design robust architectures, implement features, apply modern software practices, and collaborate with product managers to shape the roadmap.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in embedded C/C++ development within real-time operating environments, including FreeRTOS and other resource-constrained systems.
• Proven experience developing connected IoT products using ESP-IDF, Wi-Fi, BLE, Zigbee, and 802.15.4, with Silicon Labs MG2x and Zigbee Application Framework experience highly desirable.
• Solid understanding of embedded security, including secure boot, OTA updates, provisioning, certificate-based identity management, and secure device communications.
• Experience building cloud-connected devices, leveraging MQTT and AWS IoT Core services, including TLS, X.509 authentication, and device shadow technologies.
• Strong focus on software quality and performance optimisation, with expertise in memory and flash management, automated testing, and CI/CD practices for embedded systems.
• Forward-thinking approach to engineering, including the use of AI-powered tools to accelerate delivery, improve productivity, and enhance software quality, alongside knowledge of emerging technologies such as Matter and Thread.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical lead for a small firmware engineering team, providing direction, guidance, and ownership of firmware development activities.
• Design and implement robust, scalable firmware architectures that support current and future Hub platform capabilities.
• Develop, test, troubleshoot, and optimise firmware features to deliver high-quality, reliable customer experiences.
• Champion modern software engineering practices, ensuring solutions are maintainable, secure, and built to the highest standards.
• Drive consistent code quality through peer reviews, mentoring, and knowledge sharing across the engineering team.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and key stakeholders to define requirements, prioritise work, and shape the product roadmap.
• Support a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and technical excellence within the wider engineering community.

Skills

Embedded C/C++

Real-time OS (FreeRTOS)

IoT development

Security (embedded)

Tools

ESP-IDF

AWS IoT Core

MQTT

Job description

Aug 26, 2026

Join us, be part of more.

We’re so much more than an energy company. We’re a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. We're energisers. One team of 21,000 colleagues that's energising a greener, fairer future by creating an energy system that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, whilst living our powerful commitment to igniting positive change in our communities. Here, you can find more purpose, more passion, and more potential. That’s why working here is #MoreThanACareer. We do energy differently - we do it all. We make it, store it, move it, sell it, and mend it.

About your team:

At Hive, our mission is to make it greener.

With a little help from our friends at British Gas we’re helping customers to be waaaaay smarter with their heating and giving them control of their homes like never before. Through our range of thermostats, EV chargers, solar panels and energy-saving light bulbs, we’re here to help every home reach its eco-energy potential, from little switches that make a big difference.

An opportunity to play your part - At Hive, we're passionate about creating smart, connected technology that makes everyday life easier, greener, and more efficient. As a Senior Firmware Engineer, you'll play a key role in designing, developing, and maintaining the firmware that powers our growing range of consumer products. Taking ownership of the code from concept through to delivery, you'll build reliable, robust, and high-performing systems using modern software engineering best practices. Working closely with product stakeholders and cross-functional teams, you'll help shape priorities, solve complex technical challenges, and deliver innovative experiences that have a real impact on millions of customers. If you enjoy combining technical excellence with creativity and collaboration, this is an opportunity to help define the future of connected living.

Location : UK-based hybrid role, Occasional travel to site.

The day to day –

• Act as the technical lead for a small firmware engineering team, providing direction, guidance, and ownership of firmware development activities.
• Design and implement robust, scalable firmware architectures that support current and future Hub platform capabilities.
• Develop, test, troubleshoot, and optimise firmware features to deliver high-quality, reliable customer experiences.
• Champion modern software engineering practices, ensuring solutions are maintainable, secure, and built to the highest standards.
• Drive consistent code quality through peer reviews, mentoring, and knowledge sharing across the engineering team.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and key stakeholders to define requirements, prioritise work, and shape the product roadmap.
• Support a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and technical excellence within the wider engineering community.

What are the must haves –

• Strong expertise in embedded C/C++ development within real-time operating environments, including FreeRTOS and other resource-constrained systems.
• Proven experience developing connected IoT products using ESP-IDF, Wi-Fi, BLE, Zigbee, and 802.15.4, with Silicon Labs MG2x and Zigbee Application Framework experience highly desirable.
• Solid understanding of embedded security, including secure boot, OTA updates, provisioning, certificate-based identity management, and secure device communications.
• Experience building cloud-connected devices, leveraging MQTT and AWS IoT Core services, including TLS, X.509 authentication, and device shadow technologies.
• Strong focus on software quality and performance optimisation, with expertise in memory and flash management, automated testing, and CI/CD practices for embedded systems.
• Forward-thinking approach to engineering, including the use of AI-powered tools to accelerate delivery, improve productivity, and enhance software quality, alongside knowledge of emerging technologies such as Matter and Thread.

What's in it for you?

• Enjoy a generous market salary, along with fantastic growth opportunities and a vibrant work environment!
• Added Car Allowance program to make your commute and adventures even better.
• Power up your pay with a 15% Employee Energy Allowance, surpassing the government's price cap!
• Secure your future with our comprehensive pension plan, designed for peace of mind.
• Elevate your health with our fully-funded company healthcare plan, prioritizing your well-being.
• Recharge with a generous 25-day holiday allowance, plus public holidays, and even purchase up to 5 extra days for extended relaxation!
• Experience unparalleled work-life balance with an exceptional selection of flexible benefits, from tech treats and eco-friendly car leases to travel insurance for your adventures!

Why should you apply?

We’re not a perfect place – but we’re a people place. Our priority is supporting all of the different realities our people face. Life is about so much more than work. We get it. That’s why we’ve designed our total rewards to give you the flexibility to choose what you need, when you need it, making sure that you and your family are supported not only financially, but physically and emotionally too.

If you're full of energy, fired up about sustainability, and ready to craft not only a better tomorrow, but a better you, then come and find your purpose in a team where your voice matters, your growth is non-negotiable, and your ambitions are our priority.

Help us, help you. We would love for you to share any information about yourself throughout our recruitment process so that we can better understand you and help shape your journey.

Centrica is a leading energy services provider in the UK, committed to delivering zero carbon electricity and innovative solutions for a sustainable future.