At a Glance
- Tasks: Own the embedded stack for innovative home energy products and shape their firmware.
- Company: Join Havenwise, a climate tech startup revolutionising home energy solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and options for growth.
- Other info: Collaborate closely with the CTO and be part of a small, dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on energy efficiency while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in embedded systems, C programming, and consumer product development.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
At Havenwise, we're making energy cheaper and easier for people. To do so, we’re building the hardware and software platform for home energy starting with the heating system, the single biggest energy load in most homes. We've already built and launched a software product that connects to heat pumps and cuts energy bills by ~40%. We're now taking it further with our own hardware products: a smart hub and thermostat. The architecture is taking shape - a hub in the home that talks to the heat pump, communicates with the cloud, and connects to a wireless thermostat - but the key technical decisions are being made now. You'll help shape them, not just implement a spec.
With full control over the tech stack, you'll build the firmware foundation for the optimisation logic for electrified homes that measurably reduces energy bills. We're backed by fantastic investors via a recent pre-seed round, and have a strong network of installers to bring the new products to market in the next 12 months.
Your role
You'll be our first embedded engineer, owning the firmware and hardware integration across two physical products: a mains-powered hub and a battery-powered wireless thermostat. You'll work directly with the CTO and a small team of engineers. This is a high-ownership role where your work ships to real homes.
Your responsibilities
- Own the full embedded stack: firmware architecture, hardware module selection, connectivity, and device lifecycle (provisioning, OTA, secure boot, watchdog).
- Build the communication layer between the controller and heat pump and between the controller and cloud (Modbus RTU, MQTT).
- Design and implement the wireless link between hub and thermostat, optimising for battery life (12+ month target).
- Implement the thermostat screen UI in an embedded graphics framework. V1 is minimal - status, setpoint, boost - but it must look good, not just work.
- Build robust offline behaviour: the hub continues operating when internet drops.
- Build safety limits into the firmware so the device stays within safe operational boundaries at all times.
- Select and integrate off-the-shelf compute modules, radios, and transceivers.
What we're looking for
- You've shipped a consumer product with an MCU and a screen. Show us.
- Strong C. Comfortable with LVGL or equivalent embedded graphics.
- Experience with serial protocols (Modbus, UART, SPI) and MQTT.
- Experience with OTA updates, secure boot, connectivity management.
- You care about what the screen looks like, not just whether it compiles.
- Comfortable in a small team where you own the full embedded vertical.
Nice-to-haves
- BLE, Zigbee, or Thread experience.
- Low-power design and battery management.
- Heat pump, HVAC, or building controls domain experience.
- CAN bus (future battery/solar/EV integration).
- Python (for collaborating on cloud-side tooling with the backend team).
Your benefits
- Competitive salary and options.
- London-based office. This is a hybrid role where we get to collaborate in the office 2-3 days per week. Occasional travel to pilot sites.
- Own the entire embedded stack of a physical product from day one.
- Work directly with the CTO on architecture that runs in homes for 10+ years.
- Climate tech: your firmware directly accelerates the transition to cheaper, cleaner home energy.
Your path to joining us
- Call with Alex (CTO) - tell us what you've built.
- Technical exercise - small embedded task.
- Meet the full team.
- Offer and welcome.
Embedded Systems Engineer in London employer: Havenwise
At Havenwise, we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer dedicated to making energy more affordable and accessible. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and ownership, allowing you to directly influence the development of cutting-edge hardware and software solutions in the climate tech sector. With competitive salaries, hybrid working arrangements, and the opportunity to work closely with our CTO, you'll be part of a mission-driven team that is shaping the future of home energy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Embedded Systems Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get ready to showcase your projects! When you chat with Alex, our CTO, make sure you’ve got some cool examples of what you've built. We want to see your passion for embedded systems and how you’ve tackled challenges in your past work.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your technical skills before the exercise! We’re looking for someone who can handle the full embedded stack, so practice those C programming skills and get familiar with protocols like Modbus and MQTT. It’ll help you shine during the technical task.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask questions! When you meet the team, show your curiosity about our products and the tech stack. This is a chance for us to see how you think and how you’d fit into our small, dynamic team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining Havenwise and making a difference in the energy sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Embedded Systems Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Work:When you're applying, make sure to highlight any consumer products you've shipped, especially those with an MCU and a screen. We want to see what you've built and how it relates to the role!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter. Tailor your application to reflect your experience with embedded systems, C programming, and any relevant protocols like Modbus or MQTT. We love seeing how your skills match our needs!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your experience and skills shine through without unnecessary fluff. We want to get to know you quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Havenwise
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your embedded systems knowledge, especially around firmware architecture and communication protocols like Modbus and MQTT. Be ready to discuss any projects you've worked on that involved these technologies, as they’ll want to see how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare to talk about consumer products you've shipped, particularly those involving MCUs and screens. Bring along examples or even a portfolio if you can. This will help demonstrate your hands-on experience and give the interviewers confidence in your abilities.
✨Understand Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with Havenwise's mission to make energy cheaper and easier. Think about how your role as an Embedded Systems Engineer can contribute to this goal. Showing that you align with their vision will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Be Ready for Technical Challenges
Expect a technical exercise during the interview process. Practice small embedded tasks beforehand, focusing on areas like OTA updates and secure boot. This will not only prepare you for the challenge but also show your proactive approach to problem-solving.
