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Senior Firmware Engineer

Senior Firmware Engineer

Salary: Up to £70,000 DOE + Benefits
Location: Nottingham

KO2’s client is looking to add an experienced Senior Firmware Engineer to their growing engineering team. This is a technically focused senior role, offering a strong balance of hands-on embedded development (around 70%) alongside technical leadership (around 30%).

This opportunity suits an engineer who enjoys staying close to the code while also influencing architecture, project delivery, and technical direction.

You’ll be working on the development of embedded firmware across a range of platforms, contributing to system architecture, guiding project approach, and ensuring high standards of delivery. While this isn’t a purely managerial position, it does include responsibility for technical leadership, mentoring, and some line management.

Responsibilities

Hands-on development of embedded firmware using C
Working across bare-metal, RTOS, and embedded Linux environments
Contributing to and owning aspects of software system architecture
Setting technical direction, standards, and best practice
Supporting project estimation, planning, and delivery approach
Monitoring progress to ensure work is delivered to the required quality, time, and budget
Providing technical leadership and mentoring to engineers
Conducting 1-to-1s and line management where required
Collaborating with hardware, systems, and wider engineering teams

Experience Required

Strong commercial experience in embedded C / firmware development
Background working on bare-metal, RTOS, and Linux-based systems
Experience contributing to firmware or software architecture
Comfortable balancing hands-on development with leadership responsibilities
Able to estimate work and support technical project delivery
Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset

What’s on Offer

Salary up to £70k DOE
A senior technical role with genuine influence
A strong mix of coding and leadership
Opportunity to work on complex embedded systems within a growing team

If you’re a Senior Firmware Engineer looking for a role that still values deep technical contribution alongside leadership, please apply or contact KO2 for more information.

Embedded Software Engineer

December 8, 2025/in Midlands, South Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Embedded Software Engineer

Hybrid – One day every fortnight in Milton Keynes

£45,000 – £60,000

KO2’s client is looking for an Embedded Software Engineer to join their R&D team. The role is hybrid, with on-site time set at one day every fortnight. There are no fixed weekly office requirements.

You’ll work on embedded software for digitally controlled power supplies, writing Embedded C for bare-metal microcontrollers. The system uses two micros: one for the PFC stage and one for the inverter and final DC stage. You’ll take ownership of one of these areas and contribute to the wider embedded software development within the team.

You’ll also work alongside a Senior Embedded Software Engineer who will provide mentoring where needed. The client is open to applicants from junior through to senior level, as long as you can demonstrate solid skills in embedded software development. Power electronics experience is not required, but you should be comfortable with basic electronics.

What you’ll work on:

• Embedded C on bare metal

• Control software for digitally managed power supplies

• One of two microcontroller stages (PFC or inverter/DC stage)

• Collaboration with an experienced senior engineer on core embedded software tasks

Skills/ Experience needed:

• Strong Embedded C skills

• Embedded bare-metal or RTOS experience

• Interest in power-related products

• Ability to read electronic schematics and use lab equipment (bench PSU, oscilloscope)

• Experience with Git and Agile

If you want to work on real hardware, grow your embedded software skills, and join a flexible engineering team, this role will suit you well.

Electronics Engineer

November 14, 2025/in Midlands, South Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Electronics Engineer
Location: Peterborough

Salary: £45,000 to £50,000 + Bonus

KO2’s client is a specialist engineering business in Peterborough that designs and develops complex, rugged machines built to operate reliably in harsh and demanding environments. With a small and focused R&D team, they are now looking for an Electronics Engineer to support the ongoing improvement and maintenance of an established product range.

This role is ideal for an engineer early in their career who enjoys practical, hands-on work, troubleshooting, and getting deeply familiar with existing hardware. You will work closely with an experienced hardware engineer to understand product architecture, investigate issues, and implement hardware-related improvements. The work is varied, workshop-focused, and centres on problem solving rather than designing brand-new PCBs from scratch.

There is also potential to support a new product development programme being run from their Bristol team, depending on workload and your interests.

Role Overview
• Continuous improvement and maintenance of current ruggedised products
• Hands-on troubleshooting, fault investigation and root-cause analysis
• Instrumenting, testing and modifying existing hardware to resolve issues
• Engaging with firmware and software colleagues to support system-level behaviour
• Interacting with Raspberry Pi and STM32-based architectures
• Prototyping, soldering and workshop tasks when needed
• Understanding existing schematics, system layouts and hardware behaviours

Skills and Experience
• Degree in electronics or a closely related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of Raspberry Pi and STM32-based hardware platforms
• Comfortable working hands-on with electronics: multimeters, oscilloscopes, soldering and instrumentation
• Able to engage with firmware and software at a basic level (no full coding expected)
• Strong troubleshooting mindset and a practical approach to problem solving
• Suitable for someone with roughly two to four years’ experience or a capable junior engineer
• Driving licence required due to site location

Package
• Salary between £45,000 and £50,000 depending on experience
• Exceptional performance-based bonus scheme, typically delivering between one and two months’ pay in recent years
• Onsite role with free parking

Apply today with an up-to-date CV and a member of the KO2 team will be in touch to progress your application.

Electronics Engineer

October 20, 2025/in Midlands Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Hardware Design – Nottingham – £45,000 to £52,000

KO2’s client, an innovative technology company based in Nottingham, specialises in the design and development of complex ultrasonic measurement systems used in non-destructive testing (NDT) applications. They are seeking a skilled electronics engineer with strong hardware design experience to contribute to the next generation of precision instrumentation.

The Role

This is a hands-on position for an electronics engineer who enjoys working across the full hardware development lifecycle — from initial concept and circuit design through to prototype validation and final production support. You’ll collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including embedded software and mechanical engineers, to bring complex electronic systems to life.

The role is fully onsite in Nottingham, providing excellent access to labs, test equipment, and the wider engineering team.

Key Responsibilities

Design and prototype hardware for advanced ultrasonic measurement systems.
Produce schematic capture and manage multi-layer PCB layouts (2–8 layers, mixed-signal).
Integrate a variety of technologies including microcontrollers, microprocessors, RF circuitry, analog front ends, DC-DC and AC-DC power supplies, FPGAs, and sensors.
Validate and debug hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analysers, and other lab tools.
Apply DFT, DFM, and DFP principles throughout the design and manufacturing process.
Review and improve electronic designs for performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
Provide technical support to customers and internal stakeholders when required.

Skills & Experience Required

Degree in Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
At least 4 years’ experience in an electronic hardware design role.
Strong understanding of mixed-signal design principles.
Proficiency in Altium Designer (or similar tools such as KiCAD, Eagle, Fusion, or PADS).
Experienced in test, validation, and debugging of PCB-based systems.
Familiar with IoT, instrumentation, or embedded electronics environments.
Solid understanding of EMC, DfC, DFT, DFM, and DFP best practices.

About You

The ideal electronics engineer will be detail-oriented, methodical, and enthusiastic about delivering reliable, high-performance designs. You’ll be confident working independently while collaborating closely with colleagues across disciplines. Strong communication and documentation skills are essential.

What’s on Offer

Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 (depending on experience)
Private health insurance for you and your immediate family
Pension and life assurance schemes
Supportive, technically driven environment
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge ultrasonic electronics with real-world industrial applications

If you’re an electronics engineer looking to make a tangible impact in advanced measurement technology, this is an exciting opportunity to join a company pushing the boundaries of precision hardware design.

Program Manager

September 29, 2025/in Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Position: Program Manager – Engineering Industry

Location: Chesterfield

Salary: Up to £50,000 + Benefits

Our client is now seeking a highly motivated Programme Manager to join their team and play a key role in delivering bespoke engineering solutions to their customers. The successful candidate will take customer requirements, organise and lead multidisciplinary teams, and oversee the design and manufacture of innovative, tailored solutions—delivered on time and within budget.

This is a dynamic role that involves close collaboration with clients, internal engineering and manufacturing teams, and subcontractors. You will have the opportunity to manage a wide variety of projects across our product portfolio, ensuring our reputation for high-quality, on-time delivery continues to set us apart.

Key Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end project delivery, from capturing requirements through to design, manufacture, and delivery.
Act as the primary point of contact for clients, ensuring their needs are understood and met.
Manage multidisciplinary teams, subcontractors, and resources to deliver projects on time, in full, and to cost.
Apply project management methodologies, life cycle principles, risk and opportunity management, and change control.
Monitor project performance against KPIs, maintaining a focus on quality, cost, and schedule.
Support and mentor team members, fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment.

Essential Criteria

Strong IT skills, including high competency in MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and related tools.
Proven track record of leading projects in a commercial environment and engaging with stakeholders at all levels.
Demonstrable experience of delivering projects to deadline.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing reports and presentations.
Strong customer service ethos and proven ability to ensure customer satisfaction.
Experience mentoring or coaching team members.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance short- and long-term needs.
Ability to plan, prioritise, and organise resources effectively.
Experience of project risk and opportunity management, change control, and configuration control.
Understanding of KPIs, estimating, and costing techniques.
Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.
Adaptable, with the ability to apply skills in new contexts.
Eligible to meet Security Check (SC) clearance requirements.

Desirable Criteria

Working knowledge of one or more of the following areas:
Electrical/electronic design
Mechanical design
Software development

Why Apply

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the delivery of innovative, high-quality engineered solutions for a wide range of customers. You’ll be part of a supportive team that values collaboration, technical excellence, and customer success.

If you’re a driven, organised, and customer-focused Programme Manager with a passion for engineering, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today with an up-to-date CV.

Power Electronics Engineer

September 25, 2025/in Midlands Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Role: Power Electronics Engineer

Location: Rugby

Salary: Up to £70,000

*Candidate need be UK nationals to apply*Are you a power electronics engineer who thrives on solving complex engineering challenges? We’re looking for Power Electronics Engineers to join our clients growing team in the Rugby area – you will drive the design and delivery of cutting-edge LV & MV power electronic systems for mission-critical applications.

What you’ll be doing:

Develop and validate power electronics circuits (snubber, gating, thermal, protection)
Carry out fault studies & protection strategies at system level
Own schematics (EPLAN or equivalent), BOMs, FMEA, and change management
Verify & test MW-range systems – from thermal heat runs to EMC and overload conditions
Producing Schematics with EPLAN (or equivalent), for circuits.
Electrical & mechanical design of power, control, and cooling solutions for converters
Ensure designs meet safety, international standards, and class society rules
Liaise with customers, suppliers, and sub-contractors to deliver on time, on cost, on quality

What you’ll bring:

British citizenship with valid UK passport – eligible for SC security clearance
Degree (or equivalent) in Power Electronics or related field
Strong background in converter design, semiconductor devices, gating & snubber circuits
Enthusiasm for power electronics and industry experience in a similar power electronics design focussed role.

What will set you apart:

Hands-on with MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, PSpice, CFD, Mathcad
Experience within the defence, aerospace, automotive, grid or marine industries.
Excellent communication & leadership skills
Proven ability to multi-task across projects

Why join?
This is your chance to play a pivotal role in delivering world-class power solutions that keep the UK at the cutting edge of technology. You’ll join a collaborative, innovative team with opportunities for professional growth, international exposure, and the satisfaction of solving engineering challenges that truly matter.

Electronics Assembly Technician

September 3, 2025/in Midlands Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Electronics Assembly Technician

Location: Nottingham
Salary: Up to £35,000

Are you passionate about building cutting-edge electronics? Do you thrive on precision, problem-solving, and seeing your work come to life in real products? KO2’s client, an innovative technology company based in Nottingham is looking for a talented Electronics Assembly Technician to join their growing team.

This is an exciting opportunity to get hands-on with advanced electronics, from prototype PCB assembly through to full product integration, with the chance to directly shape design and manufacturing processes.

What You’ll Be Doing

Rapid assembly of prototype PCBs (from medium to miniature scale) sourced from external manufacturers.
Hands-on bring-up testing of assembled boards.
Manufacture of wiring harnesses and integration of PCBs into hardware products.
Identifying, evaluating, and testing external ISO 13485 accredited electronics assemblers and suppliers.
Feeding back into the design process to improve manufacturability and performance.
Working closely alongside other engineers in the team.

Must-haves:

Strong experience in PCB assembly and soldering of miniature SMD packages
Experience in building and assembling electronic PCBs.
Comfortable using benchtop equipment such as ovens, hotplates, and hot air rework tools.
A meticulous eye for detail and a passion for precision.

Nice-to-haves (but not deal-breakers):

IPC certification.
Solid grasp of electronic circuits and components.
Experience with electronic circuit design.
Familiarity with PCB design tools (KiCAD, EAGLE, Altium).
Experience debugging circuits and interpreting assembly instructions.
Layout experience on stripboard / matrix board.
Awareness of ISO 13485 quality standards.
Confident communicator who can explain technical concepts clearly.

Why Apply?

This is more than just an electronics assembly technician role — it’s a chance to be part of a collaborative team where your expertise will directly influence the design, development, and production of innovative electronics. You’ll be working in a supportive environment with plenty of scope to learn, grow, and leave your mark on breakthrough products.

Apply today via KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions with an up-to-date CV.

Power Electronics Engineer

August 13, 2025/in Midlands Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Power Electronics Engineer
Location: Nottingham (Hybrid – primarily on-site)
Salary: £50,000 – £75,000 (DOE)

We are working with a key electronics client that is pioneering a brand-new generation of AC drive technology – the matrix converter. This is a direct AC-to-AC conversion system that’s about to disrupt the industrial drives market.

Our client has been a trusted name in DC drives for over 35 years, but over the past decade they’ve invested heavily in R&D to bring this cutting-edge technology to life. They are now moving from their first production-ready model to a full range of high-power units from 22 kW up to 200 kW, and they need an experienced Power Electronics Engineer to help make it happen.

The Role:
You’ll be a lead power electronics engineer on the higher-power frames (90 kW and 200 kW). You’ll work on translating advanced R&D into robust, compliant, manufacturable products. This a perfect fit for someone who thrives on practical electronics engineering and real-world problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the design of high-power AC converters, with a focus on practical power electronics product development.
Turn research into production-ready industrial drives that meet market demands.
Apply industry experience in electronics to solve challenges such as EMC compliance, thermal management, and design-for-manufacture.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth product introduction.
Contribute to the development of the next generation of high-power models.

About You:

5+ years’ industry experience in power electronics product development — this is not a graduate or postdoc role.
Experience with high-power electronics such as drives, inverters, DC/DC, AC/DC or AC/AC converters.
Strong skills in design for manufacture, EMC compliance, and practical engineering for industrial environments.
Able to work primarily on-site with high-power equipment, with some hybrid flexibility.

Why Apply?

Salary range £50k-£75k, depending on experience.
Work on cutting-edge power electronics that will change the industrial drives market.
Join a business where you’ll have ownership, influence, and the chance to make a tangible impact.

If you’re an experienced Power Electronics Engineer who wants to take breakthrough technology from the lab into real-world industrial use, please get in touch.

Principal Embedded Systems Engineer

August 12, 2025/in Midlands Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Principal Embedded Systems Engineer

Location: Kettering (Flexible Hybrid WFH)
Package: £65,000 – £75,000 + £3,600 Tax-Free Bonus (EOT)

KO2’s client, a well-established and highly respected design consultancy based in Kettering, is seeking a principal embedded systems engineer to join their close-knit, multi-disciplinary team. This is a rare opportunity to work in an employee-owned trust (EOT) business, offering long-term stability, variety, and a genuine say in how the company is run.

The company’s projects span a huge range of industries, from specialist electronics to complex, full-system solutions. You’ll be part of an 8-person core engineering team, collaborating across hardware, software, firmware, and mechanical disciplines. As principal embedded systems engineer, you’ll play a pivotal role—balancing hands-on development with technical leadership, project oversight, and direct client interaction.

You’ll work on everything from bare-metal C on STM32 MCUs, through to Linux-based embedded applications, Raspberry Pi projects, PCB bring-up, and system integration. The right person will have the gravitas to lead multi-disciplinary teams, while still rolling up their sleeves to write code, debug hardware, and solve real-world engineering challenges.

Why join?

£65,000 – £75,000 salary for the ideal hire (lower for those developing into the role)
£3,600 per year tax-free bonus through the Employee Ownership Trust
Hybrid working – typically 2 days per week on-site in Kettering (more initially while learning the ropes)
Exposure to a wide variety of embedded systems projects – no two are the same
A small, collaborative, and flexible team environment

What you’ll bring:

Proven experience in embedded systems design and development
Strong C/C++ skills for microcontrollers, with the ability to work at low level
Ability to bridge hardware and software, collaborating effectively with electronics engineers
Confidence in leading projects and mentoring others, without losing your hands-on edge
Flexible, adaptable approach to work—happy to pick up new tools, technologies, and problem domains

This is the perfect role for a seasoned principal embedded systems engineer who thrives on variety, values teamwork, and enjoys both the leadership and technical sides of product development.

If you’re ready to join a stable, employee-owned business and help shape its future, apply today to KO2’s client for this exciting principal embedded systems engineer position

Electronics Software Engineer

July 24, 2025/in Midlands Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Role: Electronics Software Engineer

Location: Birmingham

Salary: Up to £60,000 + Benefits

KO2’s client, a leading innovator in sensor and monitoring technology, is looking for an Electronics Software Engineer to join their Birmingham-based team. This is a unique opportunity to develop cutting-edge electronics software and deliver smart, embedded Industry 4.0 solutions.

The successful candidate will work on next-gen instrumentation, combining electronics design and embedded software development. You’ll contribute to schematics, PCB layouts, prototyping, and robust embedded software for STM32 microcontrollers, all while ensuring EMC compliance and ISO standards.

We’re looking for someone with strong experience in electronics, embedded systems, and electronics software testing. You’ll collaborate with senior leadership and contribute to meaningful advancements in efficiency and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Design, develop, and debug embedded software for microcontroller-based systems (e.g. STM32).
Collaborate on schematic design and PCB development to support embedded firmware functionality.
Develop and maintain firmware using C/C++ with version control systems such as Git/GitHub.
Participate in board bring-up, prototyping, and system integration testing.
Ensure embedded systems meet functional safety, EMC, and ISO standards.
Support continuous improvement through code reviews, technical discussions, and documentation.

If you have a passion for embedded software, digital electronics, and want to push the boundaries of electronics software, KO2’s client wants to hear from you.

Apply today with an up date CV and a member of the KO2 team will be in touch to discuss.