At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead firmware engineering for innovative connected appliances and shape product reliability.
- Company: Join AB InBev, a global leader in brewing iconic beer brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 holidays, health perks, a beer allowance, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: No formal degree needed; practical skills and experience valued.
- Why this job: Make an impact with cutting-edge technology in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in embedded C++ software and real-time operating systems required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Purpose: Brewing the world’s most loved beers and building brands consumers love, AB InBev is where ownership, ambition, and action thrive. Our portfolio of iconic brands includes global classics like Stella Artois, Budweiser, and Corona, and well-known favourites such as Camden Hells, Beck’s, and Leffe. We empower you to dream big, lead change, and create a long-lasting legacy. We value relentless problem-solvers who take accountability, embrace challenges, and turn bold goals into results through resilience and hard work.
About PerfectDraft: PerfectDraft combines connected appliances, apps, cloud services, and eCommerce, with firmware at the heart of product reliability, safety, and customer experience. Our multidisciplinary engineering team values ownership, clear communication and practical problem-solving to deliver reliable products at global scale. We embrace AI-assisted development to improve productivity and quality. The Firmware Lead Engineer must use these tools responsibly, validate generated code, and remain accountable for its correctness, security, and on-device behaviour.
The role: Lead firmware engineering and delivery for a new connected-appliance platform, from architecture and hardware integration through validation and production release. Work hands-on within the architectural direction set by the Head of Domain, shaping implementation decisions and coordinating delivery across the squad, contractors and external R&D partners. The role combines technical leadership with line management of one Firmware Developer. You will help make the platform reliable, testable and ready for production, integrating device behaviour with connectivity and cloud services.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Define and evolve firmware architecture for the device platform, working within agreed domain standards.
- Develop and review embedded C++ software for the ESP32-C5 platform, keeping hardware access, connectivity, and product behaviour in clear modules.
- Guide implementation of the platform’s event-driven messaging and typed contracts so components can integrate without unnecessary coupling.
- Integrate firmware with sensors, actuators, cooling and keg-management functions, the user interface, diagnostics and monitoring.
- Work with the hardware abstraction layers to keep device-specific access separate from product logic and support consistent testing.
- Integrate Wi-Fi, BLE provisioning and cloud services, including telemetry, device commands and reported or desired state.
- Support secure device operation and update flows, including provisioning, TLS and over-the-air updates.
- Lead firmware delivery from design and hardware bring-up through integration, validation, field testing and production release.
- Debug behaviour across firmware, hardware, connectivity and cloud interfaces; drive defects through to resolution and use field evidence to improve the platform.
- Support applicable regulatory and certification work, working with hardware, quality and programme teams on firmware evidence and fixes.
- Coordinate firmware work with product, hardware, cloud and mobile teams, external R&D partners and contractors.
- Line manage and mentor the Firmware Developer, setting clear expectations for engineering quality and delivery.
- Establish practical coding, testing, review, and release practices that make firmware maintainable and reduce defects reaching production.
Who we’re looking for:
- Strong hands-on experience developing embedded software in C++ and working with real-time operating systems and hardware interfaces.
- Proven ability to bring up, debug, and test firmware on physical devices.
- Experience with connected products, networking protocols, and device-to-cloud integration.
- Ability to design modular software and communicate system-level technical trade-offs.
- Experience leading technical delivery, mentoring engineers and coordinating cross-functional teams and external partners.
- Strong focus on testing, release discipline, risk management, and continuous engineering improvement.
- Confident use of AI-assisted development tools, with accountability for code quality, correctness, security, and production readiness.
Nice to have: ESP32/Espressif IDF, modern C++23, Azure IoT/AWS IoT, BLE provisioning, secure boot, flash encryption, OTA updates and device certification.
Success measures: Reliable firmware delivery aligned with milestones, maintainable interfaces, robust connectivity, early defect resolution and readiness for certification and production. Practical skills and relevant experience are prioritised over formal qualifications; a degree is not required.
Benefits & Perks:
- 25 holidays per year + bank holidays & holiday trading options
- Pension (up to 8% employer contribution) & income protection
- Comprehensive health & wellbeing benefits (fully funded private medical insurance, dental insurance, gym discounts, Employee Assistance Programme)
- 26 weeks paid parental leave for eligible primary caregivers
- A beer allowance to enjoy our brands
- 2 volunteer days a year to support your local community
- Life assurance & charitable giving
Why build your career with us: We recruit for mindset, ambition, cultural fit, and growth opportunities.
UNIQUE CULTURE: We are proud to be part of something bigger than ourselves and are passionate about building upon our company’s long legacy. We believe in collaboration and candor, which results in a dynamic culture with open communication.
BRANDS EVERYONE LOVES: We are part of the collective, global history of beer. We are the proud makers of more than 500 iconic brands, from beloved international classics to local favourites.
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: Our people grow at the pace of their talent. We empower our people to learn, expand their perspectives, and unlock career growth. In an environment where commitment to excellence pays off, our people are able to deepen their impact and create a long-lasting legacy.
Firmware Engineering Lead in London employer: Anheuser--busch-Inbev
AB InBev is an exceptional employer that fosters a unique culture of collaboration and candor, empowering employees to dream big and lead change. Located in Magor, the role of Quality Compliance Manager offers significant growth opportunities within a dynamic environment, where commitment to excellence is rewarded and employees are encouraged to develop their skills through training and performance appraisals. With a focus on quality and safety, you will be part of a team that not only values your contributions but also celebrates successes, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Firmware Engineering Lead in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Firmware Engineering Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Anheuser--busch-Inbev.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Anheuser--busch-Inbev and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Anheuser--busch-Inbev
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Anheuser--busch-Inbev uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
