At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop innovative software for embedded devices and PC applications across diverse projects.
- Company: Join Sagentia Innovation, a leading science and engineering company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, private medical care, and free lunch.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and exposure to multidisciplinary teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on cutting-edge technology projects in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, especially with C/C++ and embedded systems.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Sagentia Innovation is a science and engineering company providing product advisory and development services across sectors including medical, food and beverage, consumer, defence, industrial systems, chemicals, and energy. We partner with clients from leading global brands to start-ups to identify growth opportunities through innovative solutions, taking pride in their success. Our projects span surgical robots for minimally invasive surgery, non-invasive prenatal testing, precision agricultural machinery, and mobile apps for implantable devices, among others.
We are looking for a versatile Software Engineer who can move confidently between embedded software and PC application development. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex engineering problems, working close to hardware, and building robust software that helps bring innovative products to life. You will work across cutting-edge medical, industrial, and scientific technology projects, collaborating with electronics, mechanical, systems, and human factors specialists to deliver safe, effective, and innovative software solutions for our clients.
While you will be hands-on with code, you will also have the opportunity to influence solution architecture, define technical approaches, prototype new ideas, and help shape the engineering direction of client projects. Projects range from focused proof-of-concept developments through to multi-year product development programmes. You will work as part of talented, collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams, gaining exposure to best practice in software, electronics, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, and product development. Your work will be based at Sagentia Innovation's R&D centre located in Harston, Cambridge with opportunities for short travel to client sites in Europe or USA. You will enjoy a fast-paced, varied environment where no two projects are the same, and where your ability to bridge embedded systems, PC software, and real-world engineering challenges will make a visible impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop software across embedded devices, hardware interfaces, and Windows or Linux PC applications.
- Work with multidisciplinary teams to integrate software with electronics, sensors, instruments, robotics, and automated systems.
- Contribute to software architecture, implementation, debugging, verification, and technical documentation throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Take ownership of technical tasks and deliver high-quality solutions with appropriate guidance and collaboration.
- Support design reviews, testing activities, and continuous improvement of engineering practices.
Required Skills & Experience
- Professional software development experience spanning embedded systems, PC applications, or ideally both.
- Strong C/C++ skills for embedded development, alongside experience with technologies such as C#, .NET, Python, or modern C++ for PC applications.
- Practical knowledge of microcontrollers, embedded Linux, RTOS or bare-metal systems, and communication interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, or CAN.
- Experience debugging and integrating software across hardware, systems, and user-facing applications.
- Ability to contribute independently to technical work while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Exposure to regulated, safety‑critical, or high‑integrity development environments would be advantageous.
What We're Looking For
You may be the right fit if you are naturally curious, hands‑on, and comfortable working across different layers of a system, from low-level device drivers and hardware interfaces through to desktop applications, user workflows, and test tools. We value engineers who:
- Enjoy learning new technologies and applying them to real‑world challenges.
- Can quickly understand complex systems and identify practical solutions.
- Communicate clearly with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Are adaptable and thrive in project environments that require a breadth of engineering skills.
- Are ready to take increasing ownership of technical challenges while continuing to develop their expertise.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated professional experience developing software in a commercial engineering environment.
- The technical confidence to contribute independently, balanced with a willingness to learn from experienced colleagues and continue growing professionally.
Benefits
Alongside a stimulating work environment we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that includes, bonus, EAP, private medical care and free lunch.
Software Engineer – Embedded & PC Applications in Cambridge employer: Sagentia Defence
Sagentia Defence is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment in Bristol that fosters professional growth and development. As a P3M Lead, you will engage with high-profile defence projects, gaining invaluable experience while contributing to national and international initiatives. The company prioritises employee advancement, ensuring a clear pathway to senior roles within a supportive team culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer – Embedded & PC Applications in Cambridge
✨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 Sagentia Defence 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 Sagentia Defence.
✨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 Sagentia Defence.
✨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 Sagentia Defence 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 – Embedded & PC Applications in Cambridge
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 Sagentia Defence.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Sagentia Defence 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 Sagentia Defence
✨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 Sagentia Defence 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.
