Lead Firmware Engineer

A UK-based engineering company is looking for a Lead Embedded Software Engineer to take ownership of embedded software development for their next generation of products.

This is a senior, hands-on role combining technical leadership with deep embedded development, working across the full product lifecycle.

The Role

You will lead a small team of engineers while remaining hands-on, responsible for:

• Embedded C & C++ development across real-time systems
• Owning and evolving software architecture
• Leading delivery of firmware from concept through to production
• Debugging complex system-level issues across hardware and software
• Defining and improving development, testing, and release processes

This is not a pure management role, you’ll still be heavily involved in solving technical challenges and writing code.

What You’ll Be Working On

• Real-time systems (RTOS + some bare-metal)
• Communication between system components
• Performance-critical embedded environments
• Systems that are deployed at scale in the real world

What They’re Looking For

• Strong experience in embedded C & C++
• Proven experience with RTOS and real-time systems
• Experience owning or contributing to software architecture
• Comfortable working closely with hardware and debugging issues
• Previous experience leading or mentoring engineers

Nice to Have

• Experience improving development processes / DevOps
• Exposure to modelling tools (e.g. MATLAB / Simulink)
• Interest in modern tooling (e.g. AI-assisted development)

Package

• Salary circa £80k–£85k
• Bonus + pension
• Flexible working (including 9-day fortnight)
• Hybrid working
• Strong engineering culture and product focus