Cambridge | Hybrid Work from Home

£80,000 to £85,000

Visa Sponsorship | Relocation Package

If Zephyr RTOS is your bread and butter, and I mean properly your bread and butter rather than something you once dabbled with on a dev kit over a wet weekend, then I would very much like to hear from you.

A client of KO2’s, a genuinely expanding engineering business, is looking to bring a Senior Embedded Software Engineer into its Cambridge software team. In an economic climate where a fair few companies are battening down the hatches, this lot are firmly in the minority: they are investing, recruiting and building, and the sector they operate in is one of the few that is demonstrably on the up. That is not marketing puff on my part; it is simply the reality of where they sit.

Zephyr: the non negotiable bit
Let me be unequivocal, because there is no point dressing it up: commercial Zephyr experience is the sine qua non of this role. Not FreeRTOS with a passing curiosity about Zephyr, not ‘I’ve read the documentation’, but genuine hands on experience architecting, developing and maintaining production firmware on Zephyr. You will be comfortable with devicetree, Kconfig, the driver model, west and the general philosophy of how Zephyr wants a system put together. If you have contributed upstream, or wrestled a Zephyr port onto awkward custom silicon and won, so much the better.

What you’ll be getting stuck into

• Architecting and developing embedded firmware on Zephyr RTOS, with some bare metal work alongside it
• Bringing up prototype boards from first power, armed with a debugger, a scope and a logic analyser
• Designing and maintaining board to board and digital interfaces: CAN, SPI, I²C, UART and RS422
• Building networked services and interfaces including REST APIs, SNMP agents and OpenAPI specifications
• Developing and debugging TCP and UDP communication layers, and getting into the weeds on protocol performance
• Secure communications: authentication, encryption, secure firmware update and system hardening
• Embedded Linux work on Yocto based platforms, including services, daemons, device drivers and middleware
• Leading root cause analysis when things go awry, and writing requirements, interface specs and documentation that people will actually read
• Working shoulder to shoulder with hardware and systems engineers to make sure data and control interfaces are rock solid

What you’ll bring

• Substantial commercial experience of low level embedded software and firmware
• Strong, demonstrable Zephyr RTOS experience (I cannot overstate this one)
• Solid C and C++, with a knack for squeezing performance out of resource constrained hardware
• Confidence reading schematics and datasheets
• Proven board bring up and hardware to software integration experience
• Practical debugging chops with scopes, logic analysers and software debug tools
• The ability to explain what you’ve done, clearly, both on paper and in person

The non essentials are: ARM Cortex M and Cortex A (STM32 in particular), Yocto or similar Linux build systems, Linux kernel internals, bootloaders and systemd, TLS, SSH, IPSec and HTTPS, secure boot, Python, MISRA C or C++, CI/CD and automated test, Docker or Kubernetes, and the steady hand needed to tack a fly lead onto a board for probing.

The package, and why it’s worth more than the headline figure
The money: £80,000 to £85,000 basic, which sits firmly at the upper end of what the market pays for this calibre of engineer.
Your time: a 37.5 hour week, hybrid working, and 25 days’ annual leave on top of bank holidays, with the option to buy five more if you fancy a longer summer.
Your future: a pension with the employer putting in as much as 8%, a share save scheme so you can own a slice of the business you’re helping to grow, and a proper commitment to training and development.

Looking after you: life assurance and income protection, so you and yours are covered should the worst happen.
The extras: an electric vehicle scheme, cycle to work, and a paid volunteering day each year.
Getting you here: visa sponsorship is available for the right person, and there is a relocation package to take the sting out of the move.Interested?
If you’ve read this far and found yourself nodding along, send your CV to KO2 or ring us for a confidential chat on 01423 876356. We’ll give you the full picture.

The post Senior Embedded Software Engineer appeared first on KO2 Recruitment.

If you’re the kind of electronics engineer who’d sooner start from a blank schematic and a stack of datasheets than bolt together somebody else’s modules, I’ve a role here that ought to pique your interest.

A client of KO2’s, a thriving and steadily expanding engineering business in County Durham, is looking to add a Senior Electronics Engineer to its design team. At a time when a good many companies are keeping their heads down and their chequebooks firmly shut, this one is doing quite the opposite: investing, growing headcount and taking on new work. They operate in one of the relatively few sectors currently enjoying real, sustained growth, and frankly that’s a rarer commodity than it ought to be.

The heart of the matter

What this role really hinges upon is genuine, component level circuit design. Analogue, digital and mixed signal, done properly from first principles. You’ll have designed the power supplies, the amplifiers, the filtering and the signal conditioning yourself, picked every part, simulated it, and seen it through to a board that works. If you’re the person others come to when a circuit is misbehaving and nobody can work out why, you’ll fit in reet well.

A flavour of the work

You’ll own designs from the initial concept all the way through to volume production, which in practice means:

• Specifying, simulating and designing analogue, digital and mixed signal circuits at component level
• Building microprocessor based systems around ADCs, DACs and supporting logic
• Capturing schematics and setting out PCB requirements, from materials to layer stack
• Bringing designs up on the bench and integrating them at system level, working with interfaces such as USB, Ethernet, PCIe, CAN, SPI and I²C
• Getting to the bottom of hardware and communications faults, methodically and without fuss
• Carrying out thermal, tolerance and reliability analysis, MTBF included, so designs stand the test of time
• Writing test specifications and reports, and taking part in (and leading) design reviews
• Working hand in glove with software and firmware colleagues, supporting product introduction, and keeping a beady eye on obsolescence before it bites

What you’ll need

• A degree in Electronic Engineering or a closely related field, or the equivalent hard won experience
• A strong track record of component level analogue and digital design
• Schematic capture and PCB design tool experience (Altium would be champion, but it’s not a deal breaker)
• A sound understanding of EMC and EMI, both in design and in test
• Real comfort in the lab with oscilloscopes, logic analysers and the usual array of test kit

Experience of high volume manufacture and surface mount processes would be a definite plus.

Why it’s worth your while

Pay: £75,000 to £85,000, which puts it comfortably in the upper echelons for electronics design in the North East.

Balance: hybrid working on a 37.5 hour week, with 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays and the option to purchase additional leave.

Security: a generous employer pension contribution, life cover and income protection.

A stake in it: a share scheme, so you benefit directly from the growth you’re helping to drive.

Perks: an electric car scheme, cycle to work, paid time off to volunteer, and a real commitment to your ongoing development.

Moving: relocation support is on hand if you’re coming from further afield.

The post Senior Electronics Engineer appeared first on KO2 Recruitment.

Salary: Up to £55,000

The Opportunity

An established engineering business near Bishop Auckland is looking for an Embedded Software Engineer to join their growing engineering team. The wider team of 16 spans firmware, electronics, software and test disciplines. This is a genuinely multidisciplinary environment, giving engineers full input across the entire product lifecycle — from concept and design through to testing and production.

You’ll be working on handheld, battery-powered devices that connect via Bluetooth to a range of devices, contributing to products used in real-world, hands-on applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop embedded firmware for handheld, battery-powered devices.
• Work across both RTOS and bare-metal environments.
• Develop and maintain communication interfaces including Bluetooth/BLE, USB, SPI, UART, GPIO, and ADC.
• Collaborate closely with electronics and test engineers across the full product lifecycle — from concept through to production.
• Contribute to the design, development, and integration of Bluetooth-connected products with mobile and Windows platforms.

Skills & Experience

• Strong embedded programming skills in C (some C++ desirable).
• Experience with RTOS and bare-metal firmware development.
• Familiarity with ARM Cortex and NXP processors.
• Practical experience with Bluetooth/BLE, USB, SPI, UART, GPIO, and ADC communication protocols.
• Experience developing firmware for battery-powered or handheld devices is highly desirable.
• Comfortable working as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team with full lifecycle involvement.

What’s on Offer?

• Full involvement across the entire product lifecycle, working alongside firmware, electronics, and test specialists.
• A collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment.
• 37.5-hour week with an early finish (2.30pm) on Fridays
• Fully onsite role near Bishop Auckland.

If you’re an Embedded Software Engineer looking to work on innovative handheld, Bluetooth-connected devices within a supportive, multidisciplinary team, we’d love to hear from you.

The post Embedded Software Engineer appeared first on KO2 Recruitment.

Newcastle

£30,000 – £35,000

KO2’s client, a well-established electronics consultancy based in Newcastle, is looking to recruit an experienced Electronics Technician to join their growing team. The business supports a wide range of industrial customers, providing specialist repair and diagnostic services across multiple sectors.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who takes pride in true electronics engineering rather than simple board replacement. You will be working on a variety of equipment, carrying out detailed fault finding and repair down to component level.

The successful candidate will be confident using test equipment such as oscilloscopes and multimeters and will be comfortable diagnosing faults across a range of electronic systems. This role requires someone who understands electronics fundamentals in depth and can apply that knowledge practically in a repair environment.

Key responsibilities include diagnosing and repairing electronic equipment to component level, debugging faults across a range of industrial systems, interpreting schematics and technical diagrams, and ensuring high-quality repairs are delivered to customers.

This is an on-site role in Newcastle, working as part of a small and experienced team. KO2’s client is looking for someone who can come in and make an immediate impact, bringing strong practical experience and a methodical approach to fault finding.

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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

The post Electronics Technician appeared first on KO2 Recruitment.

KO2’s client is expanding and is now looking to recruit an Electronics / Embedded Design Engineer to help establish a new R&D and design function within the business.

This is a unique opportunity to join at an early stage of a new consultancy-focused team, where you will play a key role in shaping the direction of electronics design and development activities.

The role will involve a combination of hardware and software development. You will be responsible for designing PCB layouts and schematics, as well as developing embedded software for microcontroller-based systems. The position would suit someone who enjoys working across the full product lifecycle and has a solid grounding in both electronics and embedded systems.

You will contribute to the development of new ideas and projects, supporting the growth of a design and consultancy offering alongside the company’s established repair services. This role offers the chance to build something new within an existing and stable business.

The ideal candidate will have experience in PCB design and schematic capture, good knowledge of electronic components and circuit design, and the ability to write embedded software, typically in C, for microcontrollers. A strong understanding of core electronics principles is essential.

KO2’s client is open to candidates who are early in their career but have moved beyond graduate level and can demonstrate practical knowledge and capability.

This is an on-site role in Newcastle and offers the opportunity to grow with a developing R&D function. Salary is flexible depending on experience, with an indicative range of £40,000 to £45,000.

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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

The post Electronic Embedded Engineer appeared first on KO2 Recruitment.

Location: Newcastle

Salary: Up to £55,000 + Benefits

KO2 are exciting be working with a industry leading business in Newcastle who are growing their engineering team and seeking 2 embedded systems engineers to join them. These roles are down to business growth and there is an exciting roadmap of new projects planned for 2026 and beyond.

The successful embedded engineers will be joining a multidiscipline engineering team and be expected to contribute across the full software development cycle whilst working closely with electronics, mechanical and test engineers.

Your core skill set will include solid industry experience with most of the below:

• C programming
• User of the FreeRTOS or similar.
• Good knowledge of GitLab and GitLab flow.
• Experience of programming microprocessors – Ideally Texas Instruments
• Knowledge of the communication protocols, like Modbus, TCP/IP, CAN, UART and SPI.

Whilst any experience of the below is desirable:

• Experience in designing and debugging of electronic circuits using schematics capture tools and oscilloscope
• Understanding of the system control principles, software implementation of the PI regulators, use of PWM, dead time generation.
• Working with low voltage systems, up to 1000 Vac or 1500 Vdc.

If you are an experienced embedded engineer in the Newcastle area or willing to move to the area apply today with an up-to-date CV and a member of the KO2 teams will be in touch to progress your application.

The post Embedded System Engineer appeared first on KO2 Recruitment.

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Salary: £40,000 + Benefits

KO2 is working with an innovative engineering business based in Newcastle that specialises in power electronic solutions for the Energy, Industrial, and Transport sectors. Due to continued growth, they are looking to recruit a Mechanical Design Engineer to strengthen their engineering team.

The Role

As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the design and development of mechanical components and assemblies used within power electronic systems. You will work closely with electronics, manufacturing, and project teams to deliver robust, high-quality engineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Mechanical design and development of enclosures, assemblies, and components
• Producing detailed 3D models and engineering drawings
• Supporting designs through prototype, test, and manufacture
• Working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary engineering teams
• Ensuring designs meet technical, quality, and industry standards

Skills & Experience

• Experience of mechanical design of complete machinery, fabrications and assemblies in an engineering focused company.
• Proficiency with Creo (preferred), or experience with SolidWorks, Inventor, or PADs (all acceptable)
• Understanding of mechanical design for electronic or power-related systems is highly desirable
• Ability to produce detailed drawings and documentation
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary of £40,000
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge power electronic solutions
• Supportive engineering-led environment with opportunities for progression

If you are a Mechanical Design Engineer looking to work on technically challenging products within a growing and forward-thinking business, this is the role for you.

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

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Join a fast-growing tech company developing high-voltage server systems for quantum analytics. We’re seeking a skilled Power Electronics Engineer for a permanent role with full visa sponsorship available.

The Role

You’ll design and develop high-power conversion systems (10 kW+), covering AC-AC, DC-DC and DC-AC platforms. From simulation and modelling through to testing, validation and certification support, you’ll play a key role in shaping our next-generation hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and model advanced converter designs using PLECS/CADSTAR or similar tools.
• Execute functional, thermal and electrical testing of prototypes.
• Produce technical documentation and safety files for approvals.
• Conduct EMC and power compliance testing with design-level mitigation.
• Apply expertise in wide-bandgap tech, especially SiC-based systems.

Essential Skills

• Strong grounding in power electronics design, control methods and system simulation.
• Experience in analogue/digital circuit development.
• Understanding of switching devices, thermal design and electromagnetic assembly considerations.
• Awareness of embedded control and EMC behaviour.

Desirable

• Experience with energy, industrial or high-power product development.

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

The post Power Electronics Engineer appeared first on KO2 Recruitment.

Location: Durham

Salary: £45,000 to £50,000 DOE

KO2’s client, a Durham-based company that designs and develops automotive sensors, is seeking an Electronics Test Engineer to support new automated test development for rechargeable battery products. Working with the Senior Electronics Test Engineer, you will help create new test systems, maintain existing equipment, and support NPI and PFMEA activities across the business.

We are looking for someone with solid electronic and electrical engineering knowledge and experience gained in a test or manufacturing environment. Strong LabVIEW programming is essential. You should be confident troubleshooting, structured in your approach, and comfortable working with technicians and cross-functional engineering teams.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop test plans and specifications for new products, ensuring alignment with customer and internal standards.

• Carry out failure investigations to support reliability improvements.

• Design, validate and maintain automated test rigs and fixtures.

• Manage firmware version control and support programming fixtures.

• Provide technical support to production teams and guidance to electronics technicians.

• Contribute test input into NPI and PFMEA processes.

• Verify and validate test equipment, maintain documentation, and produce clear test reports.

Skills and Experience

• Degree in electrical or electronic engineering or equivalent background.

• Previous experience in electronics test or manufacturing.

• Strong LabVIEW experience, with additional C# or Arduino exposure welcomed.

• Familiarity with SQL databases for data capture or analysis.

• Strong diagnostic ability, good IT skills, clear communicator, organised and adaptable.

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

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Location: Newcastle upon Tyne (Fully Onsite)
Salary: £65,000

KO2’s client, a leading technology business based in Newcastle, designs and develops advanced products used within the EV charging and green power sectors. Their innovative solutions are helping to shape a cleaner, more sustainable future — and they are now seeking a Senior Power Supply Engineer to join their growing engineering team.

The Role

The successful candidate will play a key role in designing, analysing, and validating power electronic systems for use across the company’s next-generation EV and renewable energy products. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you’ll ensure that each design is efficient, reliable, and ready for manufacture.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and testing innovative power electronic designs through simulation, prototyping, and validation.
• Producing detailed documentation, including design specifications, test procedures, and validation reports, to support all development stages.
• Collaborating with production engineers to ensure a smooth transition from prototype to full-scale manufacturing.
• Supporting PCB layout and CAD design activities to ensure robust and manufacturable hardware.
• Contributing to design reviews and clearly presenting technical findings.
• Providing engineering support during installation, commissioning, and in-field deployment of equipment.
• Maintaining compliance with ISO9001 and internal quality assurance processes.

About You

You’ll bring both technical depth and a practical, hands-on approach to solving complex design challenges. Ideally, you’ll hold a degree in Electronic or Electrical Engineering and have proven experience in the design and testing of power electronic converters (AC:AC, DC:DC, DC:AC) or motor drive systems.

We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of power conversion topologies and control methods.
• Hands-on experience with simulation tools such as PLECS or equivalent.
• The ability to take designs from concept through to production.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, with a collaborative mindset.

Why Join?

• Work on technology that’s driving the future of green power and EV infrastructure.
• Join a forward-thinking and highly skilled team in a supportive environment.
• Competitive salary of £65,000, with opportunities for career development.
• Fully onsite role based in Newcastle upon Tyne, offering a dynamic and collaborative workplace.

If you’re passionate about clean energy and want to contribute to world-class technology in the EV charging space, KO2 would love to hear from you on behalf of their client.

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