Software Engineer (Linux)

Kinneir Dufort; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Flexible hybrid working

Private healthcare

Enhanced parental leave

Pension scheme

25 days annual leave

EAP & wellbeing

Cycle to Work

Death in service

Learning & development

Free lunch monthly

Free breakfast & social events

Job summary

Ensera Design in Bristol is seeking an embedded Software Engineer to join our world-class team, building a greenfield medical device on embedded Linux.

You’ll design and implement embedded software in C/C++ on Linux platforms, collaborate with hardware, MCU, UI and test engineers, and contribute to Linux architecture decisions while the project takes shape. The role offers mentoring from Senior Engineers and scope to specialise further in safety-critical domains.

Qualifications

• Around 3-5 years’ experience developing software on embedded Linux platforms.
• Solid understanding of Linux internals, IPC, filesystems, and networking.
• Experience with embedded build systems (Yocto, Buildroot, or similar).
• Strong C/C++ experience; scripting experience is beneficial.
• Experience working in structured, quality-focused development environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement embedded Linux software in line with agreed system and security architecture
• Support Linux platform bring-up and configuration within scope
• Contribute to the embedded build system (e.g. Yocto or equivalent)
• Define and maintain interfaces between Linux, MCU firmware, UI, and connectivity components
• Support debugging of system‑level faults and performance issues
• Share knowledge and mentor more junior members of the team

Skills

Embedded Linux

C/C++

IPC/Networking

Linux internals

Mentoring

Tools

Yocto

Buildroot

Qt

Job description

About the role

Bold ideas start with bold people. At Ensera Design, we are a world-class user-centered innovation and product development consultancy working across medical and consumer health. Join our multidisciplinary team to build robust, secure firmware that powers life-enhancing products.

We are currently seeking an embedded Software Engineer to join our talented team and contribute to delivering exceptional solutions for our clients.

You’ll join a multidisciplinary team developing a greenfield medical device from the ground up.

Day to day, your focus will be designing and implementing embedded software in C/C++ on embedded Linux platforms. You’ll sit alongside hardware, MCU, UI and test engineers, with real input into the Linux architecture and design while the project is still taking shape.

You’ll have a team of Senior Software Engineers around you who’ll mentor you throughout. Due to the nature of Ensera Design’s work, you’ll have the opportunity to either branch out into other specialisms or go deeper into the one you’re already in.

About you

You’re an engineer who has worked across safety-critical systems and/or medical devices in the past with a desire to develop within an embedded Linux environment. You’ll be a strong communicator with a desire to learn from others, share your own knowledge and mentor junior engineers.

You’ll be interested in working on safety-critical applications across the full development lifecycle and in accordance with safety and reliability standards such as IEC 62304.

What you’ll do

• Design and implement embedded Linux software in line with agreed system and security architecture
• Support Linux platform bring‑up and configuration within scope
• Contribute to the embedded build system (e.g. Yocto or equivalent)
• Define and maintain interfaces between Linux, MCU firmware, UI, and connectivity components
• Support debugging of system‑level faults and performance issues
• Share knowledge and mentor more junior members of the team

Your skills and experience

You don’t need to tick every box but if you hit most of the essentials, we’d love to hear from you.

Essential

• Around 3-5 years’ experience developing software on embedded Linux platforms
• Solid understanding of Linux internals, IPC, filesystems, and networking
• Experience with embedded build systems (Yocto, Buildroot, or similar)
• Strong C/C++ experience; scripting experience is beneficial
• Experience working in structured, quality-focused development environments

Desirable

• Experience with Qt or other embedded UI frameworks
• Experience integrating Linux systems with MCUs over UART, SPI, or CAN
• Secure boot, system update, or platform hardening experience
• Experience with communication protocols (UART, SPI, I²C, CAN)
• Experience working in regulated or safety-critical domains

The salary for this role is up to £53,000, in line with our Consultant band (£40,800 to £53,000). Please note we ask you to provide your expected salary within the band as part of your application, this helps us understand how you view your experience against the role’s scope.

Why work with us?

Ensera Design offers interesting and varied work combined with a supportive team culture to provide a stimulating environment where you will have the opportunity to develop and learn from others. We offer flexible working policies where working patterns are agreed with our line managers, taking into account the role, needs of the individual, and the team.

We recognise that we are only as good as our people and we know how important it is to support our team.

• Performance-related company‑wide bonus.
• Flexible hybrid working in line with our core hours (Mon‑Thu, 9:30am‑12:00pm & 2:00pm‑4:00pm; Fri, 9:30am‑12:00pm).
• Private healthcare for you and your family.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• Salary exchange pension scheme.
• 25 days of annual leave, plus the option to purchase up to one working week and additional days for length of service.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme and digital wellbeing platform.
• Cycle to Work & Electric Vehicle Lease schemes.
• Death in service (x4 gross salary).
• Training and development opportunities, including dedicated learning days and regular knowledge‑sharing sessions.
• A free lunch the first Monday of every month alongside our company‑wide meeting.
• Free breakfast every Wednesday, and plenty of opportunities to socialise, including team‑organised activities, summer and Christmas parties, and more.

About us

We are based in an iconic Grade II listed building in the heart of Bristol. Our vibrant workspace houses state‑of‑the‑art labs, a design studio, usability suites, and collaborative meeting spaces. Nestled in a lively neighbourhood with independent shops, we’re just a short walk from Park Street, the Harbourside, and St. Nick’s Markets.

We are proud of our values:

• Find a way: We work as one team, combining our knowledge and experience to unite around a shared goal. We trust each other and do what’s needed to get things done and exceed expectations.
• Pull together: We believe anything is possible. When faced with challenges we take the initiative, using our creative spirit and determination to find bold solutions and deliver results that move us forward.
• Care: We act with integrity, take pride in our work, and support each other. We each play our part to make a positive impact for our customers, our colleagues, and our planet.

Our diverse, multidisciplinary team spans research, design, human factors, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, and beyond. Together, we deliver cutting‑edge solutions for clients ranging from global leaders to innovative start‑ups, with a particular focus on medical devices, drug delivery, orthopaedics, and diagnostics.

We know that different perspectives lead to better ideas, stronger collaboration, and more meaningful outcomes.

If you meet the skills and experience for this role, we welcome your application - whatever your background, identity, or path into design. What matters to us is that you share our belief in purposeful, people-first design.