At a Glance
- Tasks: Design, prototype, and manufacture innovative bioproduction instruments.
- Company: Join Unicorn Biotechnologies, a pioneering biotech startup.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, real-world impact, and a vibrant work culture.
- Why this job: Make a difference in biotechnology and help scientists cure diseases.
- Qualifications: Experience in electronics, embedded systems, and software development.
- Other info: Work in Sheffield, near the Peak District, with excellent career growth.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 42000 £ per year.
Anticipated start date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 23rd February 2026
Salary Band: £40k - £50k (depending on experience)
Full Time, Sheffield, UK
Do you want to utilise your skills to make a real-world impact working at the forefront of the most impactful industry of the 21st century? Do you love building and have a passion for biotechnology? Do you find joy working across all electronics disciplines, from board design and electronics production to embedded systems?
We seek a driven and enthusiastic engineer to help us design, prototype, and manufacture our bioproduction instruments. You will work on all aspects of our electronics R&D - from breadboard prototypes to electronics and embedded systems to power our bioproduction systems in regulated environments.
You will play a crucial role in building the future of autonomous science, creating tools to help scientists discover and manufacture new medicines and products, and in helping us fulfil our ambition to be one of the largest biotech companies in the world.
You are a self-starter with a deep understanding of electronics, embedded systems, software, and translation systems across bench, fabrication, production, and client-use environments. You thrive in a collaborative team environment under tight deadlines and have a professional background in electronics and electromechanical systems manufacturing.
WE VALUE
- A bias for action to build products with customer value.
- Engineers who care about what they build, not just how.
- Clear thinking, pragmatism, and sound judgment over buzzwords.
- Friendly, organised, efficient, and enthusiastic people with a can-do attitude.
- People who take responsibility and follow problems through.
- Using the right tools, including AI, to work smarter, not harder.
- Low-ego individuals who love asking questions & go above and beyond to help the team succeed.
THE ROLE
You will play a leading role in a growing engineering team, designing, building, testing, and manufacturing novel bioproduction systems. You will be directly involved in the entire electronics product development cycle, from understanding user and system requirements to creating prototypes, delivering manufactured products, and ensuring ongoing uptime and monitoring for networked bioproduction systems deployed in the field.
You must be comfortable operating with uncertainty and upskilling to meet new challenges. This role involves both independent work with high autonomy and collaborative work, where clear, consistent communication and attention to detail are paramount.
The startup journey is not easy, nor is it for the faint of heart. You must see this challenge as invigorating rather than intimidating. Your work will be exciting, and the learning opportunities will be significant. Expect to expand your skill set more in a year than many do in five years.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operational oversight of electronics development projects (board design, embedded systems, system controllers, wiring, EMI-testing), including technical progress and regulatory compliance.
- Prototyping designs in our electronics workshop to rapidly test concepts and coordinate with our internal team, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.
- Translating prototypes into manufacturable boards that enable the reliable operation of our bioproduction systems.
- True full-stack software engineering, from embedded systems to inter-machine communications and data infrastructure management.
NEED TO HAVE
- A pragmatic, builder’s mindset, you enjoy rapid iteration, fabrication, and practical problem-solving.
- Proven experience designing, assembling, and debugging electronics hardware (e.g., PCBs, wiring looms, sensors, power electronics).
- Hands-on experience with embedded systems; firmware development in C/C++ or similar for microcontrollers (e.g., STM32, ESP32, ARM).
- Understanding of control systems, signal conditioning, and basic circuit design.
- Competence with software integration between embedded systems and higher-level applications (e.g., via serial, CAN, Ethernet, or similar protocols).
- Experience developing or maintaining full-stack software with a Python, Node.js, or similar backend; basic front-end exposure (React, Vue, etc.) is desirable.
- Evidence of end-to-end product lifecycle involvement: concept, prototyping, design for manufacture, verification/validation, and client delivery.
NICE TO HAVE
- Exposure to industrial control, robotics, or bioprocess instrumentation.
- Understanding of compliance testing (EMC, CE, UL) and design for reliability.
- Familiarity with Python for control and analytics.
- Prior experience working in small, fast-moving startup environments.
- Previous experience embedded in a biology laboratory or a scientific research team.
While we consider applicants from any relevant background, you will likely have >2 years of industry experience.
BENEFITS
- Join a fast-moving, transformative industry in a high-growth environment.
- The opportunity to work on real systems with real-world impact - you could help scientists cure deadly diseases like cancer and heart failure.
- Direct influence on product direction and technical decisions.
- Close collaboration with world-class scientists and engineers.
- A culture that values autonomy, responsibility, and thoughtful work.
- You will be based in the UK's greenest city on the doorstep of the Peak District with world-class hiking, biking, running, and climbing, 15 minutes from our custom-built, independently owned R&D centre.
ABOUT US
Unicorn Biotechnologies is building the next generation of autonomous laboratory and bioproduction systems. Our mission is to both accelerate scientific discovery by combining robotics, biology, and software into powerful, easy-to-use platforms and to enable rapid, affordable scale-up to turn bleeding-edge innovations into real-world products that help people. We are an early-stage company. This means moving fast, learning constantly, and taking responsibility, but it also means having real ownership, real influence, and the chance to build something genuinely new and a generational business.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Please fill the application form; however, if you get stuck or have any questions email: careers@unicornb.io
Unicorn Biotechnologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces inclusion and diversity.
Embedded Systems Engineer Engineering in Sheffield employer: Unicorn Biotech
Contact Detail:
Unicorn Biotech Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Embedded Systems Engineer Engineering in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, workshops, or even online webinars. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to embedded systems and electronics. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. Think about how you can relate your past experiences to the role you're applying for. Remember, they want to see your thought process and how you tackle challenges!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Unicorn Biotechnologies. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions during the process!
We think you need these skills to ace Embedded Systems Engineer Engineering in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for biotechnology and embedded systems shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about making a real-world impact with your skills.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight your experience with electronics, embedded systems, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we do at Unicorn Biotechnologies!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to describe your experiences and skills. We appreciate clarity over jargon, so focus on what you’ve built and how it relates to our mission.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. If you have any questions while applying, feel free to drop us an email at careers@unicornb.io.
How to prepare for a job interview at Unicorn Biotech
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of embedded systems and electronics. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with PCBs, firmware development, and any relevant projects you've worked on. This is your chance to show how your skills align with the role!
✨Show Your Passion for Building
Since this role is all about building and prototyping, share examples of your personal projects or experiences where you've designed and built systems. Talk about what excites you about creating new technologies and how you approach problem-solving in a practical way.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
This position requires collaboration, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked effectively in teams before. Highlight your communication skills and give examples of how you've navigated challenges with colleagues or stakeholders to achieve project goals.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions that test your understanding of control systems, signal conditioning, and software integration. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as this will demonstrate your clear thinking and ability to communicate effectively.