Software Engineer (Test) in Bristol

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

• 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.

• Performance‑related company‑wide bonus.
• Flexible hybrid working in line with our core hours (Mon–Thu, 9:30am–12:00pm & 2:00pm–4:00pm; 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 & Electric Vehicle Lease schemes.
• Death in service (x4 gross salary).
• Training and development opportunities, including dedicated learning days and regular knowledge‑sharing sessions.
• A free lunch the first Monday of every month alongside our company‑wide meeting.
• Free breakfast every Wednesday, and plenty of opportunities to socialise, including team‑organised activities, summer and Christmas parties, and more.

About us

We are based in an iconic Grade II listed building in the heart of Bristol. Our vibrant workspace houses state‑of‑the‑art labs, a design studio, usability suites, and collaborative meeting spaces. Nestled in a lively neighbourhood with independent shops, we’re just a short walk from Park Street, the Harbourside, and St. Nick’s Markets.

We are proud of our values:

• Find a way: We work as one team, combining our knowledge and experience to unite around a shared goal. We trust each other and do what’s needed to get things done and exceed expectations.
• Pull together: We believe anything is possible. When faced with challenges we take the initiative, using our creative spirit and determination to find bold solutions and deliver results that move us forward.
• Care: We act with integrity, take pride in our work, and support each other. We each play our part to make a positive impact for our customers, our colleagues, and our planet.

Our diverse, multidisciplinary team spans research, design, human factors, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, and beyond. Together, we deliver cutting‑edge solutions for clients ranging from global leaders to innovative start‑ups, with a particular focus on medical devices, drug delivery, orthopaedics, and diagnostics. At Ensera Design we believe that designing for people means including all people, starting with the team behind the work. Our human‑centred design ethos is rooted in empathy, and our values – pull together, find a way, and care – guide us in building a team that reflects the diversity of the world we design for. We know that different perspectives lead to better ideas, stronger collaboration, and more meaningful outcomes.

If you meet the skills and experience for this role, we welcome your application – whatever your background, identity, or path into design. What matters to us is that you share our belief in purposeful, people‑first design.