At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical teams to deliver innovative embedded software solutions for clean energy systems.
- Company: Join Ricardo, a global leader in engineering consulting with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working arrangements, competitive pay, and support for your wellbeing.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture that values every voice and encourages personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable technology while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or related field; experience in embedded software and project leadership.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Our vision is to create a safe and sustainable world. Ricardo, member of WSP, is a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company. With over 100 years of engineering excellence and employing close to 3,000 employees in more than 20 countries, we provide exceptional levels of expertise in delivering leading-edge and innovative cross-sector sustainable products and solutions. Every day, we enable our customers to solve the most complex and dynamic challenges to help achieve a safe and sustainable world.
The Role
We are seeking a Principal Engineer in Embedded Software, based at our Leamington Spa technical centre, to provide technical leadership across a range of ongoing client projects. In this role, you will take ownership of delivering high‑quality engineering solutions, act as a trusted technical authority for both clients and internal teams, and play a key part in developing and expanding the team’s embedded software capabilities.
Our Control and Electronics group is responsible for the specification, implementation and validation of complex control systems for a wide range of clean propulsion and energy systems, including: xEV powertrains, power electronics, motors and drives, engines, transmissions, battery management systems, advanced thermal systems, and fuel cell systems. Our support to customers covers the full spectrum of control software development, from core algorithm development and base software development, through to fully validated production control systems, including ASIL rated software. In this role, you will be primarily focused on working with Ricardo’s team and trusted partner network to deliver base software solutions, configuration of AUTOSAR tools and software integration/test applied to a wide range of applications.
Role & Responsibilities
- To lead technical teams and deliver client projects:
- Technical leadership of teams of engineers involved in development of embedded software, including embedded software, systems, control, and functional safety engineers.
- Technical development of embedded software, covering requirements specification, software implementation, verification and validation, including embedded software test via MiL/SiL, PiL, HiL and on physical test-rigs and vehicles.
- Interface directly with clients on technical issues.
- Develop and maintain network of trusted partners to provide capacity.
- Lead coordination of engineering teams, drawing on engineers from within Ricardo and from partners.
- Focus on delivery of projects on-time and on-budget.
- Technical negotiations with clients and support of commercial discussions.
- Driving the further introduction of quality procedures and validation processes.
- Support of the sales teams in the development of market opportunities through client interaction, proposal support and roadmap development.
- Promotion of capability throughout Ricardo’s global customer base.
- Provide technical input to Embedded Software team strategic development.
- Drive the development of future products and services.
Required Qualifications & Experience
The successful candidate will have a strong background in embedded software engineering, with several years of experience in the automotive sector or a closely related industry. They will have a proven track record of successfully delivering embedded software projects or working within related technical disciplines, demonstrating both technical depth and consistent delivery performance.
Essential:
- Degree in Computer Science / Computer Systems Engineering, Electrical / Electronics or similar.
- Fluent in programming in C.
- Technical experience in embedded software for relevant applications, such as: power electronics (inverter, on-board charger, DC-DC converter), battery management systems, and similar real-time control systems.
- Strong knowledge of software development and quality processes (e.g. V-model, Agile, ASPICE).
- Experience in software requirements development, cascaded from system requirements.
- Experience in leading technical project teams.
Desirable:
- Experience of AURIX family of microcontrollers.
- Experience in AUTOSAR.
- Experience in setting up and running source code control, bug tracking and Dev Ops systems.
- Control system development.
- Functional safety, ISO26262 and similar.
Excellent communication skills in English are required as the role will be significantly customer facing (internal and external customers). The candidate will be expected to liaise with customers on a regular basis. A certain amount of business travel can be expected including customer meetings, occasional on-site development support, and travel to other Ricardo sites.
Working here
You will be warmly welcomed into our workplace where every voice matters. We are diverse thinkers and doers, coming together to create a culture of inclusion. We will support you to find your place. We will encourage you to use your passion and expertise to make a positive impact through the projects you work on. Your knowledge and desire to bring about change will be invaluable in helping deliver innovative solutions that support communities across the globe in becoming safer and more sustainable.
Work life balance
We offer flexible approaches to work, whether that is working from home, being in the office, or as a hybrid worker. We're happy to discuss flexible working arrangements. Wellbeing is at the core to our culture, allowing employees to flourish and to achieve their full potential.
Benefits
We want you to know how much you are valued. Your remuneration and benefits package will reflect that. You will receive a range of benefits which include support for your physical and mental health.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion statement
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours. We have an ambitious diversity, equality, and inclusion approach. We value diversity; recognising that a more diverse workforce creates a richer and more varied working environment. Diversity also drives innovation, by allowing us to offer our clients the best consultancy service that we can. As part of our commitment to engage positively and pro-actively with all our employees to ensure an inclusive culture, we are recognised as a 'disability confident' employer.
Next steps
Once you have submitted your application a member of our Recruitment Team will be in touch. Please be aware that the timing can vary dependent on the volume of applications that we receive for each role and in some cases, we may start to review applications prior to the closing date. Ricardo is a Disability confident employer please advise the recruitment team via recruit@ricardo.com if you require any adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process.
Principal Engineer, Embedded Software employer: Ricardo
At Ricardo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values every voice. Located in Leamington Spa, our team enjoys flexible working arrangements and a strong focus on employee wellbeing, alongside opportunities for professional growth in the dynamic field of embedded software engineering. Join us to make a meaningful impact in creating sustainable solutions while benefiting from a comprehensive remuneration and benefits package that reflects your value.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer, Embedded Software
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your technical expertise. Make sure you can discuss your past projects in detail, especially those related to embedded software and control systems.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings—be proactive! Research companies you admire, like Ricardo, and reach out directly to express your interest. Sometimes, creating your own opportunity is the best way to land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your skills sharp and stay updated on industry trends. Consider taking online courses or attending workshops related to embedded software and automotive technologies. This not only boosts your CV but also shows potential employers your commitment to growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer, Embedded Software
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Engineer role. Highlight your experience in embedded software and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our vision of creating a safe and sustainable world!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about embedded software and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your technical leadership and problem-solving skills.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, don't forget to showcase your technical skills, especially in programming languages like C and your experience with AUTOSAR tools. We love seeing candidates who can clearly articulate their technical expertise and how it applies to our projects.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ricardo
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your embedded software knowledge, especially in areas like power electronics and battery management systems. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Engineer, you'll be leading teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed technical teams in the past, focusing on project delivery and client interactions. Highlight your experience in driving quality procedures and validation processes.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Ricardo is all about creating a safe and sustainable world. Familiarise yourself with their projects and values. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with their mission and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Expect to dive deep into technical topics during your interview. Brush up on programming in C, AUTOSAR tools, and software development processes like Agile and ASPICE. Being able to articulate your technical expertise will set you apart.
