Architect/Staff Embedded Software Engineer in London

Architect/Staff Embedded Software Engineer in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
PassFort

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the technical direction for embedded software and hardware integration on cutting-edge projects.
  • Company: Join OLIX, a pioneering tech company shaping the future of AI and hardware.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, retirement plans, and a Living-Local Bonus for nearby residents.
  • Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for growth and collaboration across engineering disciplines.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of innovation, making impactful decisions in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in firmware, hardware-software co-development, and strong communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

About OLIX

AI is growing faster than any technology in history and the explosion in demand has created a massive infrastructure gap; we can no longer build chips or power stations fast enough to keep up.

The industry is still leaning on a ten‑year‑old hardware blueprint that has reached its limit.

A new paradigm that is faster and more efficient will be the biggest economic opportunity of the next century and create the most important company of the next decade.

The OLIX Decode Accelerator 1 (DX‑1) is the first accelerator architected specifically for decode.

Rack‑scale co‑design of logic, data movement, packaging, optics and interconnect enables a step change in system level performance.

The Role

As an Architect/Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you will be the foremost technical authority on hardware‑software integration across the DX‑1, spanning the ASIC, BMC, and photonic interconnect fabric, from pre‑silicon through post‑silicon and into sustainment engineering.

We are looking for experienced Architect, Staff, and Principal‑level engineers who will help shape OLIX direction through systems thinking and deep technical expertise.

You will partner closely with the Director of Software Engineering to define the technical direction of the organization, establish architectural standards, and make the critical technical decisions that determine how the hardware‑software boundary is defined.

You bring exceptional depth across the full stack, the judgment to identify what matters most and why, and the ability to influence and align engineering teams without relying on formal authority.

You are comfortable navigating complex technical tradeoffs, driving cross‑functional collaboration, and ensuring that system architecture supports both current requirements and future scalability.

Responsibilities

  • Own the technical direction for your team.

Partner with the Engineering Manager to set technical direction within the team's scope, and take ownership of the architectural decisions that shape how the team builds and operates.

  • Translate priorities into execution.

Work with the Engineering Manager to break down complex technical problems into concrete plans and ensure the team is building the right things in the right way.

  • Hold the technical bar.

Define the principles, interface contracts, and standards the team builds to — whether that's firmware interfaces, ASIC validation methodology, or interconnect fabric integration — and ensure they are applied consistently.

  • Make the hard calls in your domain.

Own technical decision‑making within your area: BSP and firmware architecture, ASIC validation methodology, BMC platform design, or interconnect fabric integration — depending on your focus.

  • Drive alignment within the team.

Build shared understanding across engineers through rigor, clarity, and well‑reasoned technical decisions.

Collaborate with adjacent teams where your work has dependencies.

  • Own the full lifecycle within your domain.

Lead technically across pre‑silicon, post‑silicon, and sustainment — from emulation and bring‑up through to production reliability and field issue resolution.

  • Raise the level of the team.

Support the growth of engineers around you through code review, design feedback, and sharing technical judgment as a senior individual contributor who holds the bar high.

Skills & Experience

  • Deep expertise across firmware and hardware‑software co‑development — specifically in one or more of: ASIC bring‑up and validation, BMC/Open BMC platform firmware, or high‑speed Ser Des and photonic interconnect bring‑up.
  • Deep expertise in embedded Linux BSP: Yocto/Open Embedded, U‑Boot or UEFI, device driver development, and device tree authoring for custom silicon platforms.
  • Deep expertise in server management protocols IPMI/IPMB, Redfish, MCTP, PLDM — and low‑speed peripheral integration (I2C, SPI, UART, CPLD) in a rack‑scale hardware context.
  • Experience with cycle‑deterministic or precision timing systems – IEEE 1588 / PTP, Sync E, or White Rabbit Protocol – is a significant advantage.
  • Proven track record delivering complex hardware‑software integration architecture that has shipped across multiple generations in large and fast‑moving organizations.
  • Track record driving technical outcomes in organizations with high reliability expectations, including robust observability, incident management, and close collaboration with hardware and silicon teams on field issues.
  • Outstanding technical communicator.

You can articulate architectural decisions and their consequences clearly to engineers, managers, and senior leadership alike, and write design documents that become the reference point for the organization.

Compensation & Equity

  • Competitive Salary: Commensurate with your experience, skills, and location.
  • Equity & Ownership: Meaningful stock options. You’re not just joining the mission; you’re owning a piece of it.
  • Proximity Bonus: We value your time. To minimise your commute and maximise your life, we offer an annual Living‑Local Bonus if your residence is within 20 minutes of the office.
  • Retirement Benefits: Employer‑contributed retirement plans to help you build long‑term financial security.

Due to U.

S. export control regulations, candidates’ eligibility to work at OLIX depends on their most recent citizenship or permanent residency status.

We are generally unable to consider applicants whose most recent citizenship or permanent residence is in certain restricted countries (currently including Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Russia, Belarus, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Venezuela).

Applicants who have subsequently obtained citizenship or permanent residency in another country not subject to these restrictions may still be eligible.

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Architect/Staff Embedded Software Engineer in London employer: PassFort

At PassFort, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous learning opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector, particularly in our vibrant location that thrives on community engagement and support for NHS initiatives.

PassFort

Contact Details:

PassFort Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Architect/Staff Embedded Software Engineer in London

Join Local Tech Meetups

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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 PassFort.

Tap into Online Developer Communities

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Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles

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We think you need these skills to ace Architect/Staff Embedded Software Engineer in London

Hardware-Software Integration
ASIC Bring-Up and Validation
BMC/OpenBMC Platform Firmware
Embedded Linux BSP
Yocto/OpenEmbedded
U-Boot or UEFI
Device Driver Development

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 PassFort.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at PassFort 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 PassFort

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 PassFort 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.