At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement embedded Linux software for innovative medical devices.
- Company: Join Ensera Design, a leading consultancy in user-centered innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, private healthcare, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Dynamic workspace in Bristol with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on life-enhancing products while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in embedded Linux; strong C/C++ skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
About the role
Bold ideas start with bold people. At Ensera Design, we are a world-class user-centered innovation and product development consultancy working across medical and consumer health. Join our multidisciplinary team to build robust, secure firmware that powers life-enhancing products.
We are currently seeking an embedded Software Engineer 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 designing and implementing embedded software in C/C++ on embedded Linux platforms. You’ll sit alongside hardware, MCU, UI and test engineers, with real input into the Linux architecture and design while the project is still taking shape. 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’re an engineer who has worked across safety-critical systems and/or medical devices in the past with a desire to develop within an embedded Linux environment. You’ll be a strong communicator with a desire to learn from others, share your own knowledge and mentor junior engineers. You’ll be interested in working on safety-critical applications across the full development lifecycle and in accordance with safety and reliability standards such as IEC 62304.
What you’ll do
- Design and implement embedded Linux software in line with agreed system and security architecture
- Support Linux platform bring‑up and configuration within scope
- Contribute to the embedded build system (e.g. Yocto or equivalent)
- Define and maintain interfaces between Linux, MCU firmware, UI, and connectivity components
- Support debugging of system‑level faults and performance issues
- 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
- Around 3-5 years’ experience developing software on embedded Linux platforms
- Solid understanding of Linux internals, IPC, filesystems, and networking
- Experience with embedded build systems (Yocto, Buildroot, or similar)
- Strong C/C++ experience; scripting experience is beneficial
- Experience working in structured, quality-focused development environments
Desirable
- Experience with Qt or other embedded UI frameworks
- Experience integrating Linux systems with MCUs over UART, SPI, or CAN
- Secure boot, system update, or platform hardening experience
- Experience with communication protocols (UART, SPI, I²C, CAN)
- Experience working in regulated or safety-critical domains
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.
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.
Software Engineer (Linux) employer: Kinneir Dufort
Kinneir Dufort is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture in the heart of Bristol where innovation meets compliance in the MedTech industry. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, a competitive salary, and extensive training opportunities that foster professional growth, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in medical device design.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer (Linux)
✨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 Kinneir Dufort 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 Kinneir Dufort.
✨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 Kinneir Dufort.
✨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 Kinneir Dufort 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 Software Engineer (Linux)
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 Kinneir Dufort.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Kinneir Dufort 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 Kinneir Dufort
✨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 Kinneir Dufort 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.
