Embedded Firmware Lead - Advanced Aerospace Systems

Embedded Firmware Lead – Advanced Aerospace Systems

About the Business
Our client is an emerging leader in the advanced aerospace sector developing next-generation autonomous and high-reliability platforms. Their goal is to make aerospace operations more efficient, resilient, and sustainable by combining precision engineering with rapid, iterative development.

As part of their continued growth, they’re seeking an Embedded Firmware Lead to take ownership of the organisation’s core embedded systems — including control software, command and data handling (CDH), and firmware that connects and coordinates critical subsystems across complex vehicles.

About the Role

This is a hands-on leadership position overseeing the design, development, and integration of embedded firmware used in control, communication, and data management systems.
You’ll lead a small engineering team and work closely with hardware, avionics, and systems specialists to deliver high-reliability firmware for mission-critical operations.

You’ll define firmware architecture, coding standards, and testing processes, ensuring robust and predictable performance from prototype through to production deployment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development of real-time embedded firmware for control and data systems

• Design and maintain firmware architecture, interfaces, and communication protocols

• Implement and refine RTOS-based software for deterministic control and telemetry

• Oversee integration, simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop testing

• Collaborate with hardware and systems teams to ensure seamless subsystem interoperability

• Drive adoption of CI/CD, automated testing, and documentation best practices

• Mentor engineers, conduct code reviews, and ensure reliability and safety standards are achieved

About You

You’re an experienced embedded or firmware engineer who enjoys leading technically challenging projects and bringing structure to complex multidisciplinary environments. You combine deep technical expertise with a practical, delivery-focused mindset.

You’ll ideally bring:

• 8+ years in embedded systems, real-time software, or firmware development

• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded targets

• Experience with RTOS (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, RTEMS, or similar)

• Familiarity with microcontrollers/microprocessors (ARM Cortex-M, RISC-V, or equivalent)

• Solid understanding of communication protocols (UART, SPI, I²C, CAN, or SpaceWire)

• Proven ability in systems integration, testing, and debugging across hardware interfaces

• Experience with CI/CD environments (GitLab CI, Jenkins, Docker)

Bonus experience:

• Aerospace, defence, robotics, or industrial control firmware development

• Safety-critical or mission-critical environments (e.g. ISO 26262, IEC 61508, DO-178C)

• Fault-tolerant system or redundancy architecture experience

The Offer

• Competitive salary package (commensurate with experience)

• Equity participation (ESOP)

• Annual and personal leave entitlements

• A collaborative, agile environment focused on delivering advanced aerospace capability

If you’re an experienced embedded engineer ready to lead firmware development that underpins cutting-edge aerospace technology, this is a rare opportunity to shape core systems from the ground up.