Job Purpose (Role Definition):
The Principal Embedded Software Engineer serves as a senior technical leader responsible for heading the embedded software team and driving the architecture, design, and delivery of low-level software, firmware, and edge systems across current and next-generation platforms.
They own the end-to-end software lifecycle—encompassing requirements capture, system architecture, algorithm design, regulatory verification, and final product release. Additionally, the position holds primary accountability for establishing software engineering standards, defining technical best practices, and mentoring team members to ensure robust, compliant, and scalable software solutions.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lifecycle Leadership: Drive end-to-end software development, software configuration management, and releases in compliance with safety-critical standards.
- Hands-On Embedded Development: Design, implement control algorithms, and real-time multithreaded applications for medical hardware (pneumatic valves, actuators, fluidics).
- Architecture & Standards: Translate system specifications into executable architectures using SOLID design principles, static analysis, and UML modelling.
- Process & Infrastructure: Modernize development toolchains, build pipelines, and continuous integration workflows.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with hardware, mechanical, systems, and regulatory teams, preparing technical specs, risk management inputs, and validation plans.
- Team Management: Manage resource allocation and daily sprint execution across multiple concurrent R&D projects, map out sprint capacity, and ensure project deadlines align with business priorities
- Mentorship: Foster a collaborative, quality-focused engineering culture across multidisciplinary teams.
Management Responsibilities:
The software team – To oversee appraisals, 1:1s, professional growth, and recruitment for the software team.
Experience and Qualifications Required:
Mandatory:
- Leadership: Proven experience in a Technical Lead role within an engineering environment.
- Core Software: Deep proficiency in Embedded C/C++, RTOS (e.g., FreeRTOS), and MATLAB / Simulink for control loop and algorithm design.
- Software Design & Architecture: Hands-on experience applying Agile, SOLID principles, and UML modelling to safety-critical systems.
- Regulatory & Quality: Experience with verification/validation in regulated environments (e.g., IEC 62304, ISO 13485), including static analysis, unit testing, and code reviews.
Desirable:
- Electronic schematic interpretation and ARM Cortex-M/A development experience.
- Knowledge of medical safety and risk standards (ISO 14971, FDA guidelines).
- Automated testing (BDD/TDD), CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI), and static analysis tools (SonarQube, Coverity, CppDepend).
- Multi-processor safety-critical architecture experience.
Key Skills and Competencies:
- Strong analytical and algorithmic problem-solving ability.
- Effective written and verbal communication with both technical teams and executive leadership.
- Pragmatic approach to project execution, risk management, and medical outcomes.
Principal Embedded Software Engineer in Croydon employer: Inspiration Healthcare
Inspiration Healthcare is an exceptional employer located in Croydon, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets compliance in the medical device sector. Employees benefit from a culture of collaboration and continuous learning, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development. The company's commitment to quality and regulatory excellence ensures that you will be part of a team that makes a meaningful impact on healthcare technology.
