Lead Developer, Embedded Software

We’re looking for a Lead Developer who enjoys getting hands-on with technology and architecture, while also stepping up to lead small customer projects when needed. This role offers a unique blend of technical depth and leadership—ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of architecture, implementation and customer collaboration.

Your Role as a Lead Developer

As a Lead Developer, you’ll work directly with modern technologies while guiding an agile software development team.

Your role in a customer project may begin with defining the system architecture together with the customer, followed by building a proof-of-concept and eventually ramping up full-scale development with the rest of the team. Alternatively, you might join an existing project, quickly grasp the domain context, and translate customer needs into technical solutions that you’ll implement collaboratively. Either way, your expertise will have a significant impact on the project’s outcome.

You’ll be involved in technically fascinating work across domains such as industrial automation, heavy machinery, and autonomous vehicles creating robust, scalable systems that power cutting-edge products.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a technically strong and collaborative Lead Developer who thrives in agile environments and enjoys mentoring others. You take ownership, communicate clearly with both teams and customers, and bring a proactive, customer-oriented mindset to everything you do. Continuous learning and writing clean, efficient code are part of how you work.

Core Requirements

• 10+ years of experience, including senior software development or architecture roles
• Experience in project leadership (e.g. Scrum Master or team lead)
• Fluency in English; Finnish is considered a plus
  
  

Technical Background

• Proficiency with C++ and Linux is a must
• In addition, some of the following are familiar to you: Qt, QML, C, GUI or middleware development, different communication protocols, field buses, hardware integration, distributed systems, real-time systems, API design including REST APIs, Yocto
• Experience from machinery, automation or embedded software project
  
  

Some projects can involve 1–2 on-site days per week in the Pirkanmaa region. Thus location close to Tampere is preferred.

Why Join Us

At Insta, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking embedded software consulting team that builds real-world solutions for industrial automation, autonomous systems and heavy-duty mobile machinery. We combine deep technical expertise with a human-centric culture that values curiosity, collaboration and long-term impact.

Here’s Why Our Developers Enjoy Working Here

• Purposeful engineering: You’ll work on robust, scalable software powering e.g. mining equipment, harbor cranes or intelligent industrial systems — where reliability truly matters. Our projects tend to be long term, typically between 1-3 years.
• Growth built-in: We have a team of highly competent professionals you can hone your craft with. We actively support continuous learning, and you’re encouraged to use working hours for professional development.
• Flexible by design: Work from home, our Finlayson office or customer sites — depending on the project.
• Relaxed and respectful culture: We keep things low-stress and inclusive. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, you’ll find space to thrive.
• Agile mindset: We believe in autonomy, transparency and long-term partnerships with both our clients and our people.
• No micromanagement: You’ll have ownership of your work and the trust to make decisions that matter.
  
  

The salary range for this position is approximately 5500–6500 euros per month, depending on experience.

Interested in what it’s like to work with us in real life?

Read more about your team and their projects here

Read more about Maija and Sami

We at Insta

People, expertise and responsibility are at the core of our culture. As a Finnish family-owned company with over 65 years of history, our roots are firmly planted in Tampere. From there, we’ve grown into a community of nearly 1,200 professionals with an increasingly international presence.

We combine deep expertise with modern technology to build solutions that strengthen critical security and ensure the smooth functioning of society. When nothing unexpected happens in your everyday life, we—more than one thousand Insta team members—have succeeded in our work.

Excited to Join Us?

Submit your application—or apply with your LinkedIn profile by March 1, 2026 . Our roles are flexible by design, so we’d love to hear what kind of position would be the perfect fit for you. We review applications continuously and fill the role as soon as we find the right person.

If you have questions about the position, feel free to contact Markus Mäkelä at markus.makela(at)insta.fi or 020 771 7874.

For recruitment-related questions, Johanna Välimäki is happy to help at rekry(at)insta.fi or 020 771 7128.

Please note that a security clearance by the Finnish Security Intelligence Service will be conducted for successful applicants.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR WORK!

➡️ From Idea to Mining Work Analysis Tool: How We Did It

➡️ A groundbreaking new tool enables modeling Sandvik’s electric equipment, bolsters the companies’ shared vision, and facilitates communication

➡️ Advanced analytics and AI to enable better engine performance - Case AGCO Power

➡️ From a challenge to a tested prototype in a week – Case Kalmar

Insta creates and secures the digital future. We are a reliable partner for our industry, defense and cyber security customers. By combining state of the art know-how with intelligent technology, we improve our customers’ safety and performance in a digitalizing world that is changing at an increasing pace. Our culture is founded on people, expertise and responsibility. In 2023, our family company's number of personnel was approximately 1,150.For more information, please visit: www.insta.fi .