Interim Embedded Firmware Engineer

SF Recruitment are working with a high-growth, innovative start up in Birmingham to recruit an Interim Embedded Software Engineer to oversee some crucial projects over coming year.

We need someone who is highly intelligent, a leader, self starter and can communicate effectively and with their own initiative with the various stakeholders/development teams. Someone who is self motivated to do what is necessary to get the job done. Key Responsibilities- Lead firmware development for Debian-based embedded Linux systems, from architecture to deployment. - Design and maintain secure OTA pipelines using Mender, including rollback, recovery, and encryption at the device level. - Implement and manage device-side encryption, secure boot, and partition-level protection with recovery tools. - Develop manufacturing scripts to automate programming, validation, and hardware testing processes. - Optimise Linux performance - boot time, memory footprint, and system reliability. - Build and maintain connectivity stacks (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) ensuring robust and seamless user experiences. - Integrate with Azure IoT / Cloud for data, provisioning, and remote management. - Use Python to build automation tools, testing frameworks, and cloud deployment utilities. - Drive Git-based workflows, continuous integration, and release pipelines. - Communicate effectively with stakeholders - aligning firmware deliverables with product, software, and manufacturing priorities. - Demonstrate initiative by proactively identifying bottlenecks, proposing solutions, and delivering improvements. - Leverage AI-assisted development tools (Codex, Cursor, Copilot) to boost productivity and maintain cutting-edge practices. Required Skills & Experience - 5+ years of experience in embedded firmware or embedded Linux development. - Deep understanding of Debian/Linux system architecture and optimisation. - Advanced proficiency in C++ and Python. - Proven experience with Mender for OTA management and recovery workflows. - Strong knowledge of device-side encryption, secure boot, and key handling mechanisms. - Hands-on experience with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication stacks. - Experience integrating with Azure Cloud (IoT Hub, Device Provisioning, or Edge). - Proficiency with Git, build automation, and CI/CD. - Experience developing manufacturing scripts for automated flashing and validation. - Familiarity with Qt/XML for embedded UI or configuration. - Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset - able to work fluidly across teams.