Embedded Software Lead

Embedded Software Lead – Medical Devices

Bristol + Hybrid Work from Home

Up to £80,000 + Bonus, OTE £100,000

KO2's client is an innovative and fast-growing medical technology business developing advanced devices in a regulated environment. They are looking for an Embedded Software Lead to own embedded software and systems at a discipline level, sitting alongside the mechanical lead within the R&D leadership team and reporting to the Head of R&D.

This is a genuine leadership position. You will set the embedded software strategy, own it, and drive it. It is not a compliance heavy role and it is not narrowly specialised. The team is small, so you will stay close to the code and the hardware while shaping direction across the whole product.

The Opportunity

You will act as the system level lead across embedded software and hardware, driving design, integration and verification of current products and the next generation. The role blends hands on engineering, technical leadership and cross functional influence, with real ownership of product direction and a clear seat at the table.

What you will be doing

• Set and drive the embedded software and systems strategy for the business
• Contribute to early stage innovation, exploring new technologies in embedded systems and connected medical devices
• Develop proof of concepts and functional prototypes
• Lead system design across software and hardware for new product development
• Own design control, risk management and verification and validation for the software and hardware functions
• Provide technical oversight, review the work of engineers and challenge solutions to protect quality
• Identify risks and constraints early and shape product direction through informed engineering decisions
• Investigate complex field issues, complaints and non conformances alongside the quality team
• Drive improvements in performance, reliability and cost across the existing range
• Support usability testing and concept validation

What KO2’s client is looking for

• Degree in software engineering, computer science, electronics or electrical engineering, or a related field
• Around ten years in embedded software development within a regulated environment, medical device experience preferred
• Expert level embedded software development, ideally C or C plus plus
• Experience on physical products, not purely cloud or desktop systems
• Strong design control, version control, testing and documentation discipline
• Experience across the full product lifecycle, from concept through to launch and improvement
• Awareness of cybersecurity and patient safety principles
• An appreciation of electronics and hardware integration, beneficial rather than essential
• Familiarity with medical device standards and regulated pathways, for example ISO 13485, IEC 62304, ISO 14971, IEC 60601 and IEC 62366

Just as important as the person

This is the part that will decide who gets the job. The successful candidate will be self contained. They will take the biggest problem in front of them, work out what needs to happen, and go and do it, without being told what is needed, in what format, and by when. They will have the gravitas to hold their own alongside mechanical leadership and the drive to set direction rather than wait for it. Pragmatic, willing to work outside the core role when the team needs it, and comfortable in a fast changing environment.

This role will suit someone who

• Wants to step up into, or continue in, a technical leadership role with real ownership
• Enjoys tangible, real world medical products rather than abstract software
• Prefers broad engineering ownership to being siloed
• Has regulated experience but does not want a compliance heavy job

Salary and Benefits

• £75,000 base salary
• £20,000 to £25,000 on target bonus
• Strong benefits package
• A key leadership seat in a growing R&D team
• The opportunity to work on medical technology with genuine real world impact

Apply Today

If you are an embedded software engineer ready to lead at a systems level, and you want the mandate to shape an embedded software strategy rather than execute someone else's, this is a strong next step.

Contact Andrew Knight or Laurence Powell at KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions.