At a Glance
- Tasks: Build innovative firmware for cutting-edge AI-enabled consumer products.
- Company: Exciting UK tech start-up backed by significant US investment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, private healthcare, pension, and more.
- Other info: Hands-on role with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join early, take ownership, and shape technology in a growing company.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of embedded software experience and strong C/C++ skills.
This isn't an opportunity to simply maintain an established firmware platform. It's an opportunity to help build one. We are partnering with an exciting, entrepreneurial UK technology start-up developing an innovative, AI-enabled consumer product combining advanced mechanical, electrical and smart technology. Founded by two ambitious entrepreneurs and recently backed by significant US investment, the business is now moving from product development into production, international growth and scale. They are looking for a Senior Embedded Software Engineer who wants to join early, take ownership and help shape the technology as the business grows.
The opportunity
- You'll own the firmware across two processors at the heart of the product:
- Bare-metal C on a safety microcontroller
- C++17 on an embedded-Linux module
- You'll work across the full embedded stack, from drivers, peripherals and real-time control through to connectivity, OTA updates, telemetry and fleet management.
- You'll work closely with electronics and engineering on board bring-up, debugging hardware and software together and taking the product from development into reliable, production-ready hardware.
- This is a hands-on role with genuine technical ownership and plenty of opportunity to influence how things are built.
What you'll own
- Bare-metal MCU firmware, including registers, interrupts and peripherals
- Multithreaded C++17 applications on embedded Linux
- Real-time state machines and deterministic timing
- Device drivers and standard embedded buses
- Board bring-up using schematics, datasheets, scopes, logic analysers and JTAG/SWD
- Embedded Linux: systemd, networking, D-Bus, cross-compilation, Yocto and U-Boot
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and power management
- Error handling, logging and on-target/remote debugging
- OTA updates, telemetry and fleet management
- Secure boot, signed updates, encrypted communications and key management
- CI, unit testing and disciplined software releases
- Firmware architecture and practices suitable for a growing production fleet
Who we're looking for
- You'll ideally have 5+ years of embedded software experience, working across two or more processor families.
- Your background might be in consumer electronics, robotics, automotive, appliances, IoT, industrial technology or another complex engineered product environment.
- You'll bring:
- Strong bare-metal C and modern C++ experience
- Embedded Linux and multithreaded application development
- Experience with real-time systems and constrained hardware
- Strong hardware bring-up and debugging skills
- Experience with device drivers and embedded buses
- Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and power management experience
- Experience with Git, CI, unit testing and release processes
- An understanding of OTA, telemetry and fleet management
- Knowledge of embedded security and production firmware practices
- A 2:1 or above degree in electronics, computer science or a related discipline is preferred, with Master's or PhD-level study welcome.
- The qualifications and years above are a guide, not a gate. Exceptional candidates who can demonstrate the same level of ability will always be considered.
What you'll know
- You'll ideally understand how to build firmware that is reliable, testable, secure and maintainable in production, including:
- Embedded Linux, systemd, networking and D-Bus
- Yocto and U-Boot
- Real-time state machines and deterministic timing
- Device drivers and hardware interfaces
- OTA updates and fleet management
- Secure boot, signed firmware and key management
- Logging, diagnostics and remote debugging
- Certification-bound development and change control
Renumeration
£60,000 - £75,000 basic salary
10% bonus
BUPA Private Healthcare
Pension
Company phone and additional benefits
Firmware Engineer in Birmingham employer: SF Partners
SF Partners is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on professional development, employees are encouraged to grow their skills and advance their careers while being part of a high-performing team dedicated to driving success. The company values operational excellence and provides a competitive salary, making it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Firmware Engineer in Birmingham
✨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 SF Partners 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 SF Partners.
✨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 SF Partners.
✨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 SF Partners 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 Firmware Engineer in Birmingham
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 SF Partners.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at SF Partners 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 SF Partners
✨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 SF Partners 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.
