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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop embedded firmware that directly controls hardware.
- Company: Dynamic tech company focused on real engineering and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, early finish Fridays, and real ownership of projects.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact with your code in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Solid embedded firmware experience and strong C/C++ skills required.
- Other info: Fast-paced interviews and opportunities for meaningful contributions.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 78000 ÂŁ per year.
Firmware Engineer (Bare-Metal Focus) - Permanent | Full-Time | Early Finish Fridays
UK Right to Work Required (No Sponsorship Available)
Let’s be clear from the start. If you prefer being close to the hardware… If you’d rather write tight, deterministic code than rely on layers of abstraction… If registers, interrupts and memory maps don’t scare you — they excite you… Then this role is built for you. This is a true bare-metal firmware position. Minimal OS dependency. Maximum control. Real engineering.
The Role – What You’ll Actually Be Doing
- You’ll be designing and developing embedded firmware that directly controls real-world hardware. The kind of software where timing matters, where efficiency matters, where you can see your code physically make something happen.
Responsibilities
- Writing efficient, well-structured C/C++ firmware for microcontrollers
- Developing and optimising low-level drivers (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, etc.)
- Working directly with registers, peripherals, interrupts and memory management
- Collaborating closely with hardware engineers to bring up new boards
- Debugging at board level using oscilloscopes and logic analysers
- Helping shape architecture decisions early in the product lifecycle
- Contributing to secure firmware update mechanisms
- Supporting system validation and real-world testing
This isn’t a role where firmware is an afterthought. It’s central to the product.
The Kind of Engineer Who’ll Love This
- You genuinely enjoy low-level development
- You like understanding how the silicon actually works
- You’re comfortable debugging tricky hardware-firmware interactions
- You prefer clean, efficient code over bloated frameworks
- You’re methodical, logical and persistent when solving problems
- You enjoy collaborating with hardware and systems engineers
- You want to see your firmware move from concept to shipped product
If you’ve ever said, “I’d rather just do this bare-metal,” you’ll fit right in.
What You’ll Bring
- Solid embedded firmware experience
- Strong C/C++ skills (clean, maintainable, efficient code)
- Proven experience in bare-metal development (RTOS experience welcome, but not essential)
- Strong understanding of microcontrollers and embedded architectures
- Experience with common communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN)
- Confidence using lab equipment for debugging
- Familiarity with Git and structured development workflows
- A natural problem-solver mindset
Why You’ll Want This Role
- Competitive salary (ÂŁ55k-ÂŁ65k)
- Early Finish Fridays
- Real ownership of firmware architecture
- Close collaboration with hardware — not siloed software work
- Involvement across the full product lifecycle
- The chance to work on meaningful, real-world products
- A team that values proper engineering over quick hacks
This is the kind of role where your code isn’t buried in a massive stack — it directly drives the product.
Interested? If you’re a firmware engineer who prefers being close to the metal and enjoys solving real embedded challenges, this could be your next move. Apply with your CV and a short note about a project you’re proud of — especially if it involved tricky low-level work. Applications are reviewed quickly and interviews will move fast.
Firmware Design Engineer in Cardiff employer: Fortis Recruitment Solutions
Contact Detail:
Fortis Recruitment Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Firmware Design Engineer in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty with some real-world projects! Whether it's a personal project or something from your past work, showcase your bare-metal skills. Talk about how you tackled tricky hardware interactions and what you learned from them.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow engineers on LinkedIn or at local meetups. Share your passion for low-level development and ask about their experiences. You never know who might have a lead on the perfect job!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those technical interviews by brushing up on your debugging skills. Practice explaining your thought process while solving problems, especially when it comes to firmware and hardware interactions. We want to see that methodical approach!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, include a short note about a project you’re proud of — especially if it involved tricky low-level work. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Firmware Design Engineer in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: When you’re writing your application, make sure to highlight your C/C++ skills and any bare-metal experience. We want to see how your expertise aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing those projects that involved low-level development!
Be Specific About Your Projects: In your short note about a project you’re proud of, get into the nitty-gritty! Talk about the challenges you faced, how you tackled them, and what the outcome was. We love hearing about real-world applications of your skills.
Keep It Clean and Concise: Just like your code, your application should be clean and to the point. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for this firmware role. We appreciate clarity and efficiency in both coding and communication!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward — just like good firmware should be!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fortis Recruitment Solutions
✨Know Your Code Inside Out
Make sure you can discuss your previous projects in detail, especially those involving low-level firmware development. Be ready to explain your thought process behind writing efficient C/C++ code and how you tackled specific challenges.
✨Brush Up on Hardware Knowledge
Since this role is all about bare-metal firmware, it’s crucial to understand the hardware you’ll be working with. Familiarise yourself with microcontrollers, communication protocols like I2C and SPI, and be prepared to discuss how you’ve interacted with hardware in past projects.
✨Practice Debugging Scenarios
Expect to face some tricky debugging questions during the interview. Brush up on using oscilloscopes and logic analysers, and think of examples where you successfully debugged hardware-firmware interactions. Being methodical in your approach will impress the interviewers.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This role involves close collaboration with hardware engineers, so be ready to talk about your teamwork experiences. Share examples of how you’ve worked with others to bring a product from concept to reality, highlighting your communication skills and problem-solving mindset.