At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to develop and debug embedded software for exciting projects.
- Company: Bermondsey Electronics, a dynamic contract electronics development company.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexitime, and 25 days of vacation.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Perfect for hands-on problem solvers eager to work with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of embedded C and a passion for coding and hardware.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
Bermondsey Electronics is a contract electronics development company looking for an embedded software developer to expand the team. The successful applicant will work on a wide variety of systems, with different targets and design goals, based from the office in Bermondsey. This role is also open to motivated graduates or early-career engineers who have a good understanding of embedded C and are keen to develop their skills quickly. Candidates with limited professional experience are welcome, provided they are comfortable working hands-on with code and hardware, learning new platforms rapidly, and moving between different projects as required.
We need a new engineer to be involved in peripheral and board bring-up. This means testing PCBs coming in from clients. Clients have occasionally tested boards but not always, and usually not fully. They might not have the skills or might not know how a specific peripheral works. Our job is to prove the board fundamentally works, and develop or debug drivers as necessary. Higher level application code is usually done by those specialists and is not expected to be a fundamental part of this role. It’s a useful skill if you have it, though.
In the last year, this has meant working with STM32, DA1453x, NXP iMX RT and RW6xx platforms, iMX 8M Plus and Nano. Software platforms range from bare metal to FreeRTOS to Zephyr, through Linux and all the way up to Android. At each stage, clients have either not been able to supply drivers, or a delivery from a supplier has had to be debugged or modified. With that done, the PCB is handed off to application developers, or the client will issue us another board to repeat the cycle. Suppliers usually deliver drivers in C. These are often of unknown quality. They may need configuration, and sometimes a device tree.
Typical tasks include:
- Porting TI's CC3351 driver to STM32 and bringing up lwIP on FreeRTOS
- Bringing up a new iMX8MP Linux platform using LVDS and a bespoke RFID driver
- Rewriting an ESP32 bootloader for a client to update partition tables OTA
- Testing and verifying RW610 power modes in Zephyr
- Rewriting the STM32 Eclipse ThreadX USB Audio Host driver to support USB MIDI
- Debugging an Infineon WiFi driver low power mode on Android on iMX8MP
This role requires a practical, hands-on approach. Candidates are expected to actively write, debug, and test code, work directly with hardware, and spend time investigating issues in depth. Applicants who are not prepared to engage directly with low-level code, testing, and debugging, or who rely primarily on automated tools without deeper understanding, are unlikely to find this role suitable.
Please note this role is not to develop hardware. Clients supply us boards to bring up. If you want to design PCBs from scratch, this is not the job for you. If you enjoy bringing up software stacks on new hardware, this is the job for you!
Any knowledge of embedded OS is an advantage (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Linux/Android, ThreadX). Ability with a soldering iron is useful. Familiarity with automated testing is useful but not required (e.g. hardware-in-the-loop). If you thrive in responsive, hands-on work and enjoy solving difficult problems efficiently, this could be the right role for you!
Candidates must already have unrestricted permission to work in the UK. We CANNOT provide visa sponsorship, cannot extend visas, and cannot consider candidates whose right to work is time-limited or dependent on future sponsorship, including Graduate visas. Please do not apply if you require visa sponsorship now or at any point in the future.
Candidates must know embedded C programming and any one of the following:
- Embedded Linux e.g. Yocto or Buildroot build system
- Python
- Android build system
- Networking and communication protocols
- ISO13485 / IEC61508
The ideal candidate will also have some familiarity with:
- Embedded OS use
- Makefiles / build configuration systems
- Basic soldering
- Unit testing
40 hours of full-time effort are expected every week. Remote working is offered, although 2 days per week on site are required. Flexitime is offered as standard, although all hours must be accountable. 25 days' vacation are offered, growing with tenure.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay (Based on experience): £40,000.00 - £55,000.00 per year
Schedule: 8 hour shift, Flexitime, Overtime
Education: Diploma of Higher Education (preferred)
Experience: C Programming: 1 year (preferred), Software engineering: 1 year (required)
Right to work in the UK – important reminder: Applications from candidates who do not already have unrestricted UK work authorisation will not be considered.
Work Location: Hybrid remote in London SE1 with 2 days per week on site near London Bridge.
Low level firmware engineer employer: Bermondsey Electronics Ltd.
Bermondsey Electronics Ltd. is an excellent employer for aspiring embedded software developers, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With flexible working hours, generous vacation time, and opportunities for professional growth, employees can thrive in a supportive environment while engaging in hands-on projects that make a real impact. Located in the vibrant area of Bermondsey, this role provides a unique chance to work closely with hardware and testing, making it ideal for motivated graduates and early-career engineers.
Contact Details:
Bermondsey Electronics Ltd. Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Low level firmware engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Get hands-on! When you’re applying for a role like this, it’s all about showing your practical skills. Bring along examples of your work or projects where you've debugged code or worked with hardware. This will help us see your problem-solving skills in action!
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Bermondsey Electronics on LinkedIn or attend relevant meetups. A friendly chat can go a long way in making a good impression and might even get you a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the technical interview! Brush up on embedded C and be ready to discuss your experience with different platforms like STM32 or FreeRTOS. We want to see that you can think on your feet and tackle real-world problems.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Bermondsey Electronics!
We think you need these skills to ace Low level firmware engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience with embedded C and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your hands-on coding and debugging experience!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you're excited about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Mention specific platforms or projects you've worked on that relate to what we do at Bermondsey Electronics.
Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled tough problems in the past. Whether it’s debugging a tricky driver or working with hardware, we love to see how you approach challenges and find solutions!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the latest updates about your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bermondsey Electronics Ltd.
✨Know Your Embedded C Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your embedded C skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've used embedded C, and how you approached debugging or developing drivers. This will show your hands-on experience and understanding of low-level programming.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Platforms
Take some time to research the platforms mentioned in the job description, like STM32 and NXP iMX series. If you can, try to get some practical experience with them. Being able to talk about your familiarity with these systems will impress the interviewers and demonstrate your eagerness to learn.
✨Prepare for Practical Problem-Solving
Expect to face technical questions that require you to think on your feet. Brush up on your troubleshooting skills and be prepared to walk through how you would approach debugging a driver or testing a PCB. Showing your problem-solving process can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Engage with Hands-On Experience
Since this role is very hands-on, be ready to discuss any practical experiences you have with hardware and testing equipment. If you've worked with logic analysers or oscilloscopes, mention it! This will highlight your readiness to dive into the practical aspects of the job.
