Software Engineer – Embedded & PC Applications

Sagentia Defence; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Employee Assistance Program

Private medical care

Free lunch

Job summary

Sagentia Innovation in Cambridge seeks a versatile Software Engineer to develop across embedded software and PC applications, delivering robust software close to hardware for medical, industrial, and scientific projects.

Work with electronics, mechanical, systems, and human factors specialists to create safe, effective software solutions. The R&D centre in Harston hosts dynamic, multi-year programs with travel to client sites in Europe or the USA.

Qualifications

• Professional software development experience spanning embedded systems, PC applications, or both.
• Strong C/C++ for embedded; experience with C#, .NET, Python, or modern C++ for PC apps.
• Knowledge of microcontrollers, embedded Linux, RTOS or bare-metal, and interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, or CAN.
• Experience debugging and integrating software across hardware, systems, and user-facing applications.
• Ability to contribute independently while collaborating within a multidisciplinary team.
• Exposure to regulated, safety-critical, or high-integrity environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop software across embedded devices, hardware interfaces, and Windows or Linux PC applications.
• Integrate software with electronics, sensors, instruments, robotics, and automated systems.
• Contribute to software architecture, implementation, debugging, verification, and documentation.
• Take ownership of technical tasks with guidance and collaboration.
• Support design reviews, testing activities, and continuous improvement of engineering practices.

Skills

Embedded systems

PC applications

C/C++

C#

Python

Embedded Linux

RTOS

UART SPI I2C USB

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in CS/Software Engineering

Job description

Software Engineer – Embedded & PC Applications

Department: Software

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Cambridge

Description

Sagentia Innovation is a science and engineering company providing product advisory and development services across sectors including medical, food and beverage, consumer, defence, industrial systems, chemicals, and energy.

We partner with clients from leading global brands to start-ups to identify growth opportunities through innovative solutions, taking pride in their success.

Our projects span surgical robots for minimally invasive surgery, non-invasive prenatal testing, precision agricultural machinery, and mobile apps for implantable devices, among others.

Role Overview

We are looking for a versatile Software Engineer who can move confidently between embedded software and PC application development.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex engineering problems, working close to hardware, and building robust software that helps bring innovative products to life.

You will work across cutting-edge medical, industrial, and scientific technology projects, collaborating with electronics, mechanical, systems, and human factors specialists to deliver safe, effective, and innovative software solutions for our clients.

A Day in the Life

While you will be hands-on with code, you will also have the opportunity to influence solution architecture, define technical approaches, prototype new ideas, and help shape the engineering direction of client projects.

Projects range from focused proof-of-concept developments through to multi-year product development programmes. You will work as part of talented, collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams, gaining exposure to best practice in software, electronics, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, and product development.

Your work will be based at Sagentia Innovation's R&D centre located in Harston, Cambridge with opportunities for short travel to client sites in Europe or USA.

You will enjoy a fast-paced, varied environment where no two projects are the same, and where your ability to bridge embedded systems, PC software, and real-world engineering challenges will make a visible impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop software across embedded devices, hardware interfaces, and Windows or Linux PC applications.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to integrate software with electronics, sensors, instruments, robotics, and automated systems.
• Contribute to software architecture, implementation, debugging, verification, and technical documentation throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Take ownership of technical tasks and deliver high-quality solutions with appropriate guidance and collaboration.
• Support design reviews, testing activities, and continuous improvement of engineering practices.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Required Skills & Experience

• Professional software development experience spanning embedded systems, PC applications, or ideally both.
• Strong C/C++ skills for embedded development, alongside experience with technologies such as C#, .NET, Python, or modern C++ for PC applications.
• Practical knowledge of microcontrollers, embedded Linux, RTOS or bare-metal systems, and communication interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, or CAN.
• Experience debugging and integrating software across hardware, systems, and user-facing applications.
• Ability to contribute independently to technical work while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Exposure to regulated, safety‑critical, or high‑integrity development environments would be advantageous.

What We're Looking For

You may be the right fit if you are naturally curious, hands‑on, and comfortable working across different layers of a system, from low-level device drivers and hardware interfaces through to desktop applications, user workflows, and test tools.

We value engineers who:

• Enjoy learning new technologies and applying them to real‑world challenges.
• Can quickly understand complex systems and identify practical solutions.
• Communicate clearly with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Are adaptable and thrive in project environments that require a breadth of engineering skills.
• Are ready to take increasing ownership of technical challenges while continuing to develop their expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated professional experience developing software in a commercial engineering environment.
• The technical confidence to contribute independently, balanced with a willingness to learn from experienced colleagues and continue growing professionally.

Benefits

Alongside a stimulating work environment we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that includes, bonus, EAP, private medical care and free lunch.