At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop firmware and drivers for groundbreaking AI accelerator technology.
- Company: Join Lumai, a pioneering UK startup redefining computing with optical technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, share options, private health insurance, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a team pushing the boundaries of technology and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in embedded software, C/C++ experience, and Linux device driver expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
The Opportunity
Lumai is redefining how the world computes. We are an ambitious, venture-backed UK startup pioneering a breakthrough AI accelerator for data centers which uses 3D optical compute. Our radical technology uses light to perform computation at orders of magnitude faster speeds and at far greater scales than ever before, all whilst consuming far less energy than traditional approaches. Lumai is unlocking performance and efficiency gains that could transform the economics of AI and compute infrastructure and reshape how intelligence scales globally.
If you are passionate about bringing groundbreaking technology to market, and want to be part of a team pushing the boundaries of what is physically possible, Lumai is where you can make it happen.
About Lumai
Founded in 2022, Lumai is a University of Oxford spinout using optical processing to accelerate large language models (LLMs) and other transformer-based AI systems. The team combines expertise in optical computing, machine learning, and physics. Lumai has already secured over $15 million in investment from leading deep-tech investors and is scaling rapidly to deploy the fastest optical compute currently available globally.
The Role
Lumai's hardware needs software that runs reliably at the lowest levels of the stack. As our Senior Embedded Engineer, you will build the firmware, drivers, and RTOS-based control software that bring our AI accelerator to life — from initial power-on through to stable, performant operation in production systems.
What You'll Do
- Develop and maintain device drivers for Lumai's AI accelerator, targeting Linux kernel and bare-metal environments
- Write and debug firmware for control and management processors alongside the main accelerator die
- Lead BSP bring-up for new hardware revisions: clock tree configuration, interrupt routing, peripheral initialisation
- Implement RTOS-based control tasks using FreeRTOS or equivalent, ensuring deterministic scheduling and safe resource management
- Work with hardware engineers to validate bring-up through JTAG debugging, oscilloscope analysis, and logic capture
- Establish coding standards, review practices, and testing methodology for the embedded team
What We're Looking For
Must-Have
- 5+ years of embedded software experience with C/C++ in production hardware products
- Proven experience writing Linux device drivers (character, platform, or PCIe drivers)
- Hands-on BSP bring-up experience on custom hardware — from schematic review to first OS boot
- Solid understanding of RTOS concepts: task scheduling, inter-task communication, memory protection
- Proficiency with hardware debug tools: JTAG/SWD debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analysers
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience
Strong Preference For
- Experience with PCIe driver development or DMA engine programming
- Familiarity with power management frameworks (ACPI, Linux PM runtime)
- Prior work on AI accelerator or GPU driver development
Compensation & Benefits
- Highly Competitive Salary
- Share Option Scheme
- Pension Scheme
- Private Health Insurance
- Cycle to Work
- L&D Allowance
- Subsidised On-site Lunches
- Holidays: 25 days paid holiday (plus bank holidays) per year
- Socials: Be part of an inclusive community enjoying occasional all-company off-sites, lunches and socials
Interview Process
Our process is four stages. An initial conversation with our HR team to understand what you want from the role and what we want from it. Two technical sessions with various members of our engineering team. Finally, an HR-team session covering scope, terms, and any final questions. We aim to move fast on candidates we are excited about; expect roughly three to four weeks end to end.
Lumai is an equal opportunity employer. We make hiring decisions on merit, scope-fit, and the strength of the working relationship we expect to build with each hire. Applications welcome from candidates of any background. If you are not sure whether you are a fit, send a note anyway.
Senior Embedded Engineer (RTOS) employer: Lumai Limited
At Lumai, we are not just redefining computation; we are creating a vibrant and inclusive work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a rapidly growing UK startup, we offer competitive salaries, share options, and a generous learning and development allowance, ensuring our employees have the resources to thrive. Join us in Oxford, where you will have the unique opportunity to shape groundbreaking technology while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions and promotes personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Embedded Engineer (RTOS)
✨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 Lumai Limited 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 Lumai Limited.
✨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 Lumai Limited.
✨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 Lumai Limited 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 Engineer (RTOS)
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 Lumai Limited.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Lumai Limited 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 Lumai Limited
✨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 Lumai Limited 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.
