Embedded Engineer

Darwin Recruitment; Southampton (MA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment seeks an Embedded Software Engineer for a defence/electronics group in Southampton. You will own end-to-end software development across a range of products, from bootloaders to embedded control, in a close-knit team with SoC architects and FPGA specialists.

The role requires a 3+ year embedded background, strong C++ skills, Linux experience, MISRA C++17 familiarity, and CI/CD practice. UK security clearance (SC/DV or eligibility) is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline
• 3+ years of embedded software design and development experience
• Proficiency in C++ with strong coding standards
• Experience with unit testing and mocking frameworks
• Strong foundations in data structures and algorithms
• Experience working in Linux environments and scripting
• Understanding bootloader principles in embedded devices
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines to streamline development
• Knowledge of SOLID principles and common design patterns
• Experience applying OOD across the software lifecycle

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end software development across product range
• Collaborate with SoC architects and FPGA specialists
• Contribute to embedded control, video processing and EO systems
• Ensure robust, maintainable software and tests

Skills

C++

Unit testing

Data structures & algorithms

Linux

Bootloader

CI/CD

SOLID

OOD

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or related

Tools

MATLAB

HDL

MISRA C++17

Job description

Embedded Software Engineer

Location: Southampton
Salary: Competitive
Industry: Defence / Electronics

Overview of the role:

We are working with an established electronics and defence technology business with a broad portfolio of advanced hardware and software products. They are looking to hire an Embedded Software Engineer to take end-to-end ownership of software development across their product range, covering sectors including electro-optic systems, video processing, and embedded control. This is a full-time, permanent position sitting within a close-knit embedded software engineering team, working alongside SoC architects and FPGA specialists, and reporting directly into the Software Engineering Manager.

Requirements

Essential:

• A Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline
• At least 3 years of practical, hands-on experience in embedded software design and development
• A high level of proficiency in C++, with a thorough understanding of its associated best practices and coding standards
• A proven ability to write testable code, with solid experience in unit testing methodologies and the use of mocking frameworks
• Strong theoretical and applied foundations in data structures and algorithms, with a track record of using these to solve complex, real-world engineering problems
• Confident working within Linux environments, including system administration, scripting, and command-line operations
• A solid grasp of bootloader principles and their role in embedded device initialisation and lifecycle management
• Practical experience working with CI/CD pipelines and applying them to streamline software development and delivery
• In-depth knowledge of SOLID principles and a strong command of common software design patterns, applied to produce robust and maintainable codebases
• Extensive experience applying Object-Oriented Design (OOD) principles across the full software architecture lifecycle

Required / Highly Preferred:

• Demonstrable experience developing software to the MISRA C++17 coding standard
• Knowledge of FPGA development processes and Hardware Description Languages (HDL)
• Familiarity with video protocols and associated data formats
• A working understanding of electro-optic systems and their core functionalities
• Experience using MATLAB for data analysis, modelling, or simulation purposes
• Current UK Security Clearance at SC or DV level, or a confirmed eligibility and willingness to undergo vetting

Beneficial:

• Working knowledge of graphics APIs, particularly OpenGL or Vulkan
• Familiarity with GPU computing frameworks such as CUDA or OpenCL
• Exposure to Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence techniques, particularly where applied within embedded or defence environments