At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop embedded software for cutting-edge satellite communication products.
- Company: Join ETL Systems, a leader in RF design with a thriving culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33-38 days holiday, health cash plan, bonuses, and flexible hours.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; strong focus on collaboration and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a global impact while working with innovative technology and a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in embedded software development, especially on Linux platforms.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Looking for your next career move in a company that’s shaping the future of satellite communications?
At ETL Systems, we’ve been leading the way in RF design and manufacturing for over 35 years.
Our technology powers critical satellite communications infrastructure used by the top 20 satellite operators and teleports worldwide, and 75% of NATO governments rely on our equipment to help protect their citizens.
We’re not just growing, we’re thriving.
With three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in International Trade, and recent acquisitions of Atlantic Microwave, Space Path Communications, and IRT Technologies, we’ve expanded our capabilities across the full RF chain.
This includes everything from antenna to modem, as well as high-power amplifiers and RF test equipment.
What truly sets us apart is our culture.
We are proudly recognised as a Great Place to Work (2024, 2025 & 2026) and named Best Workplace in Manufacturing, Production and Transportation (2025).
- Our success is built on strong values that shape how we work and grow together:
- Collaboration: We work as one team, united in purpose and committed to shared success.
- Innovation: We embrace curiosity and forward-thinking to drive meaningful progress.
- Excellence: We set ambitious standards and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes.
- Integrity: We act ethically, honestly and with professionalism in everything we do.
If you’re looking to join a company where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a global impact, ETL Systems is the place for you.
- ETL People benefits
- 33 days’ holiday per year (including UK bank holidays), rising to 38 days over your first five years’ service.
- Company‑funded Health Cash Plan (helping with everyday healthcare costs).
- Annual Bonus & Salary Review.
- Company Pension.
- Career development and training for all roles.
- ETL Employee Wellbeing Support:, free eye tests, free Employee Assistance Programme, GP anytime.
- ETL People Perks: discounts on shopping, holidays, gym membership, days out, cinema and dining.
- Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme.
- Free on‑site Employee Gym (Hfd HQ) and subsidised Gym memberships via People Perks
- Subsidised on‑site employee Café (Hfd HQ), with free refreshments for all employees
- Free onsite parking, car share scheme and EV charging.
- Casual Business Dress.
- Flexible Hours available with core hours Monday-Friday 8am-4pm (no weekends/evening)
- Annual company events.
Role Overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to help shape the software capability behind ETL's digital RF and connected product portfolio.
You will work on embedded Linux systems, low-level driver development, networking, backend services and secure user-management functionality, contributing to products that must be robust, maintainable and high-performing.
Working closely with FPGA, hardware, systems and test teams, you will play a key role in integrating software into complete engineering solutions and improving how we develop and deliver software across the team.
The role offers a strong mix of hands-on technical depth, product impact and collaboration in a business where innovation and engineering excellence are highly valued.
- Key Accountabilities
- Design, implement and maintain embedded software for ETL products, with a focus on Linux-based platforms and connected systems.
- Develop reliable low-level software in C and Rust, including driver and hardware-interface functionality where required.
- Support networking capability across the product stack, including network services, communications features and relevant driver-layer interfaces.
- Develop and maintain backend services and platform capabilities for configuration, monitoring, user management and authentication.
- Work closely with FPGA, hardware, systems and test teams to support software integration, debugging and product validation.
- Contribute to software architecture, code quality, testability, maintainability and continuous improvement of team practices.
- Support and coach less experienced engineers through knowledge sharing, review and day-to-day technical guidance.
- Act with integrity and accountability in technical decisions, documentation, delivery commitments and secure software development practices.
- Our ideal candidate
Has strong experience in embedded software development, ideally on Linux-based platforms.
Is comfortable working at both low level (drivers, interfaces, systems programming) and higher level (backend services, user-facing platform features and security-related functionality).
Brings strong C skills and practical experience with Rust in embedded, systems or backend contexts.
Understands networking fundamentals and is comfortable developing or supporting network services and driver-related functionality.
Can work effectively across software, FPGA, hardware and systems teams to deliver integrated solutions.
Demonstrates ETL's values through collaboration, innovative thinking, high standards of delivery and personal integrity.
Enjoys sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues and contributing to a positive, high-performing engineering culture.
With this in mind, we are looking to commence our interview process without delay and reserve the right to close the opening early should we receive suitable applications.
BPSS Compliant: Due to the nature of our work, all roles require candidates to be BPSS compliant.
VISA Sponsorship: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Agency notice: We are looking to source suitable candidates for this role through our internal referral programme, direct marketing, and talent team.
Please note that we do not accept speculative CVs from external suppliers.
Senior Embedded Software Engineer (DIF) in Hereford employer: ETL Systems
As a Principal Design Engineer at our Rickmansworth R&D office, you'll join a forward-thinking team dedicated to innovation in high-power amplifier systems. We pride ourselves on a supportive work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration, offering extensive career development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, and a range of employee benefits including health plans and flexible working hours. With a focus on employee wellbeing and a commitment to cutting-edge technology, we provide an environment where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Embedded Software Engineer (DIF) in Hereford
✨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 ETL Systems 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 ETL Systems.
✨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 ETL Systems.
✨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 ETL Systems 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 Senior Embedded Software Engineer (DIF) in Hereford
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 ETL Systems.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at ETL Systems 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 ETL Systems
✨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 ETL Systems 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.
