Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Senior Embedded Software Engineer Overview

This is a newly created opportunity for an experienced Senior Embedded Software Engineer to join a startup semiconductor and systems design business in Cardiff. The role focuses on building the firmware and software foundations for advanced FPGA-enabled, AI-enabled, and smart electronic systems. It is a hands-on position that combines low-level embedded development with cross-functional collaboration, technical ownership, and support for junior engineers.

What you will do

• Develop the core firmware and software stack that underpins the company’s embedded products and platforms.
• Write embedded C and C++ code that interacts closely with hardware and supports product functionality.
• Create and maintain hardware abstraction layers, device drivers, board support code, and real-time control interfaces.
• Build diagnostics, integration utilities, and customer-ready demonstration software to support validation and product presentation.
• Contribute to firmware architecture, helping shape how the software platform is structured and delivered.
• Support test tooling and technical documentation so the engineering team can develop and release software in a controlled way.
• Work directly with FPGA, AI, analogue, and systems engineers to ensure the software integrates cleanly with the wider hardware design.
• Help bring up new boards and debug issues at the boundary between software and electronics.
• Mentor junior team members and provide informal technical leadership where needed.
• Take responsibility for technical delivery and help drive progress across multidisciplinary engineering work.

What the employer is looking for

• Strong experience developing embedded software in C and C++.
• Practical background in writing drivers, HALs, board support packages, or similar hardware-facing software.
• Experience with embedded communication and control interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, GPIO, ADC, and DAC.
• Ability to bring up new hardware or troubleshoot hardware/software integration problems.
• Solid understanding of embedded concepts such as memory maps, registers, interrupts, timing, and system-level behaviour.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively across different engineering disciplines.
• Confidence in mentoring less experienced engineers and contributing to team leadership.
• Ownership mindset and the ability to manage technical delivery independently.
• Experience in a startup, R&D, or product development environment would be beneficial.
• Additional experience that would be useful includes embedded Linux or RTOS work, including FreeRTOS or Zephyr.
• Exposure to SoC FPGA platforms such as Zynq, MPSoC, ARM, RISC-V, or MicroBlaze would be advantageous.
• Experience with FPGA/software interface development would be helpful.
• Python scripting skills would be useful for development, automation, or testing.
• Knowledge of secure boot, signed firmware updates, cryptography, or trusted firmware would be a plus.
• Background in motor control, industrial control, sensors, or edge AI systems would be relevant.
• Awareness of ONNX Runtime, TensorRT, Vitis AI, or similar edge AI runtime tools would be beneficial.
• Experience with CI, automated testing, static analysis, or structured software release processes would also be valuable.

Working arrangement and package

• The position is based in Cardiff and follows a hybrid working model.
• The salary range is £55,000 to £70,000.
• Flexible working is available for the right person.
• The role offers the chance to join an early-stage company working on advanced semiconductor and systems technology.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to send a CV or contact Emma Windows at IC Resources for more information.

The page provides an application route via the “Apply Now” option and also invites direct contact with the recruiter.

Degree Requirement: Not Specified

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