At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement test strategies for innovative medical devices.
- Company: Ensera Design, a leading consultancy in user-centred innovation.
- Benefits: Up to £53,000 salary, flexible working, private healthcare, and generous leave.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and mentorship from senior engineers.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real impact in health tech.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in software testing, experience with embedded systems, and strong collaboration skills.
The predicted salary is between 40800 - 53000 £ per year.
Ensera Design is a world‑class user‑centred innovation and product development consultancy, specialising in the medical and consumer health sectors with offices in Bristol, Colorado and New Jersey. We are currently seeking an embedded Software Engineer in Test to join our talented team and contribute to delivering exceptional solutions for our clients.
You’ll join a multidisciplinary team developing a greenfield medical device from the ground up. Day to day, your focus will be building structured testing strategies and processes for embedded systems and shaping the automation approach as it takes its form. You'll work closely with the embedded, Linux, UI and connectivity teams to make code testable from the start. You’ll have a team of Senior Software Engineers around you who’ll mentor you throughout.
Due to the nature of Ensera Design’s work, you’ll have the opportunity to either branch out into other specialisms or go deeper into the one you’re already in.
About you
You enjoy working on and improving complex safety‑critical systems through designing effective test strategies. You’ll have a strong background in test automation and have a real passion for improving how testing is done in complex engineering environments. You’ll be a strong collaborator and communicator who’s happy to work closely with developers in C++ and Python environments. You’ll be interested in the full development lifecycle and in working to standards like IEC 62304.
What you’ll do
- Design and implement test strategies for embedded software
- Build and maintain automated test frameworks
- Contribute to testing approaches for assigned subsystems and interfaces
- Work with development teams to ensure software is testable and verifiable
- Support requirements‑based testing and traceability
- Investigate failures, support root‑cause analysis, and verify corrective actions
- Contribute to continuous integration and automated test execution
- Share knowledge and mentor more junior members of the team
Your skills and experience
You don’t need to tick every box but if you hit most of the essentials, we’d love to hear from you.
Essential
- Around 3‑5 years’ experience in software testing for embedded and/or Linux‑based systems
- Experience building automated test frameworks and infrastructure
- Understanding of embedded software architectures and constraints
- Experience with system‑level or hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing
- Experience working in regulated or quality‑controlled environments
Desirable
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines for embedded or system software
- Python or C++ development experience
- Familiarity with requirements management and traceability tools
- Experience testing communication protocols (UART, CAN, TCP/IP)
- Exposure to software lifecycle standards (e.g. IEC 62304)
The salary for this role is up to £53,000, in line with our Consultant band (£40,800 to £53,000). Please note we ask you to provide your expected salary within the band as part of your application, this helps us understand how you view your experience against the role’s scope.
Why work with us?
Ensera Design offers interesting and varied work combined with a supportive team culture to provide a stimulating environment where you will have the opportunity to develop and learn from others. We offer flexible working policies where working patterns are agreed with our line managers, taking into account the role, needs of the individual, and the team. We recognise that we are only as good as our people and we know how important it is to support our team.
We offer:
- Performance‑related company‑wide bonus.
- Flexible hybrid working in line with our core hours (Mon–Thu, 9:30am–12:00pm Fri, 9:30am–12:00pm).
- Private healthcare for you and your family.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
- Salary exchange pension scheme.
- 25 days of annual leave, plus the option to purchase up to one working week and additional days for length of service.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme and digital wellbeing platform.
- Cycle to Work.
Software Engineer (Test) employer: Ensera Design
Ensera Design is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly for Senior Mechanical Design Engineers. Located in the vibrant heart of Bristol, we offer flexible working arrangements, comprehensive benefits including private healthcare and performance-related bonuses, and ample opportunities for professional growth through training and mentorship. Our commitment to a supportive environment ensures that every team member can thrive while contributing to meaningful projects in the medical device sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer (Test)
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Ensera Design or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Ensera Design.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Ensera Design.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Ensera Design that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer (Test)
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 Ensera Design.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Ensera Design 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 Ensera Design
✨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 Ensera Design 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.
