Hybrid Senior Firmware Engineer

at Smartbox Assistive Technology

• Job title: Senior Firmware Engineer
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Tech skills: Linux, Python, RTOS
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Bristol, United Kingdom

About the role

• Senior Firmware Engineer developing embedded firmware for assistive communication technology. Leading project delivery and innovation, while mentoring team members in a hybrid work environment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver complex, multi‑disciplinary projects, meeting scope, time, budget, and quality requirements, while coordinating others as needed.
• Develop reliable, portable firmware with a long and stable lifecycle.
• Design, develop and maintain embedded firmware in C for Zephyr RTOS and Embedded Linux, including board bring‑up, drivers, and HALs.
• Set and uphold coding, documentation and review standards, ensuring best practices in architecture, modularity, fault tolerance and testability.
• Implement strong automated testing following the Test Pyramid, including unit, component, subsystem and hardware‑in‑the‑loop tests, with CI automation to prevent regressions.
• Build and maintain automated test harnesses, GUIs and utility tools (e.g. Python, C#) to support development, validation and manufacturing.
• Create libraries and demo applications in C‑compatible languages (C#, C++) to validate firmware subsystems and support integration with other teams.
• Lead investigation and debugging of complex issues across hardware and firmware using appropriate diagnostic tools.
• Oversee verification through lab testing, user trials and real‑world use, ensuring evidence supports regulatory compliance.
• Analyse and resolve quality issues quickly, feeding insights back into designs, documentation and processes.
• Contribute to strategy for reliable, mission‑critical hardware and firmware, clearly communicating trade‑offs and supporting sound decision‑making.
• Work closely with teams such as Eye Tracking, Quality, Production and Repairs to solve issues, refine designs and improve reliability and serviceability.
• Mentor engineers, providing coaching and support to foster growth and contribute to a positive, collaborative culture.

Requirements

• Degree or equivalent experience in an engineering subject (Electronics, Computer Science, Software), Physics, Mathematics, or other scientific subject.
• 8+ years of experience in embedded software development in C.
• A strong knowledge of Computer Science fundamentals in data structures, algorithm design, problem-solving, and complexity analysis.
• A strong grounding in embedded software architecture, with a focus on maintainability, modularity, fault-tolerance and testability.
• Confident and experienced with automated testing, including unit, integration and system tests, mocking and automation frameworks.
• A strong understanding of API design and the creation of clear, stable abstractions for hardware/firmware interaction.
• Skilled at debugging in constrained environments and using hardware/software debugging tools.
• A proven track record of innovation and quality software development throughout the entire software product lifecycle.
• Ability to solve complex technical problems in elegant and maintainable ways, demonstrating systems thinking across hardware, firmware and application layers.
• Experience with embedded platforms (for example: Embedded Linux, Arduino, STM32, Nordic, Zephyr RTOS).
• A passion and drive for excellence in software craftsmanship.
• Linux, Bash/shell, CI (Continuous Integration) experience.
• Ability to read electronics schematics and collaborate effectively with hardware engineers during bring-up and debugging.
• Technical leadership through influence – able to guide architecture and standards, mentor others, and improve team-wide practices.
• Practical, proactive mindset – comfortable taking initiative and working through ambiguity in a fast-moving team.
• Proven experience in people or team management, with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop others.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships at all levels.
• Skilled in providing constructive feedback, conducting performance reviews, and supporting staff development.
• Proven ability to foster high-performing, engaged, and collaborative teams.

Benefits

• Free healthy snacks in our kitchens.
• Two office days per week, with the rest from home.
• Laptop and home‑working kit provided.
• Balance your time in a way that helps you perform at your best (with line manager approval).
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• We invest in your growth and reward long service with extra holiday.
• Daily online trainers and discounted gym options.
• Unlimited access to the Yulife wellbeing and rewards app.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for support on family, health, money, and work.
• Company pension, group life assurance, and income protection.
• Free theatre and cinema tickets to Malvern Theatres, plus regular social events.
• Cycle-to-work scheme (from day one) and EV scheme (after 2 years).
• Discretionary annual bonus.
• Discounts across shopping, fitness, entertainment, travel and more through Corporate Perks.