South Archives | KO2 Recruitment

RF Engineer

Location: Stroud (Office-Based)
Salary: Competitive + Equity Options
Job Type: Permanent

Overview
We’re partnering with a well-funded, early-stage startup operating in the field of cutting-edge data collection and monitoring devices. They’re building innovative wireless solutions that enable smarter, real-time insights across a range of applications. They’re now looking for an RF Engineer to join their growing team on a permanent basis, working onsite in Stroud. This is a hands-on opportunity to play a key role in shaping products from the ground up.

The Role
As an RF Engineer, you’ll take ownership of RF design, development, and testing across the full product lifecycle. You’ll work closely with a small, high-calibre engineering team, contributing to everything from concept through to production.

Key Responsibilities

Design and develop RF circuits and systems for wireless data collection and monitoring devices
Perform simulation, modelling, and analysis of RF performance
Prototype, test, and validate RF designs in a lab environment
Troubleshoot and optimise RF performance issues
Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and systems engineers
Support regulatory compliance and certification processes

Key Requirements

Proven commercial experience in RF design and development
Strong understanding of RF fundamentals (antennas, propagation, signal integrity)
Experience with RF simulation tools (e.g., ADS, CST, HFSS or similar)
Hands-on experience with RF lab equipment (spectrum analysers, network analysers, etc.)
Experience with wireless communication technologies (e.g., IoT, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 5G, or similar)
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, startup environment
Ability to achieve SC clearance, if you hold it already even better

Desirable

Experience with low-power RF design
Familiarity with EMC/EMI and certification standards
Experience taking products from prototype to production
Exposure to embedded systems or mixed-signal design

Why Join?

Be part of a well-funded startup at a pivotal growth stage within the data collection and monitoring space
Direct influence on product direction and technical decisions
Collaborative, in-person engineering culture
Competitive salary and meaningful equity package
Long-term career growth in a high-impact environment

If you’re looking for a permanent, office-based role where you can make a tangible impact on cutting-edge wireless technology, we’d love to hear from you.

Contract Electronics Technician

May 4, 2026/in Midlands, South Contract /by Chris Oddy

An urgent requirement is available for a Contract Electronics Technician to join an innovative electronics engineering business based in Norwich.

This opportunity is ideal for a hands-on Electronics Technician who is comfortable working within a fast-paced electronics R&D environment. The successful Electronics Technician will support a busy electronics engineering team working on advanced development and testing projects.

Location: Norwich, Norfolk

Contract Length: 3 months initially

Rate: Up to £45ph – Outside IR35

ASAP Start

Overtime Available

One-stage Teams interview available

Key Responsibilities:

Surface mount & through-hole electronic PCB rework/modifications
PCB soldering and board-level electronics modifications
Wiring and building simple electronics test rigs
Supporting electronics testing activities within the lab
Managing and organising the electronics lab environment
Documenting modifications and maintaining component/equipment control
Supporting Electronics Engineers with ongoing electronics development work

Experience Required:

Strong PCB rework and electronics soldering experience
Previous experience within an R&D or electronics lab environment
Comfortable supporting Electronics Engineers and working independently
Strong understanding of electronics assembly and testing processes
Organised, proactive and hands-on approach
High-voltage electronics awareness or experience would be advantageous

This is an excellent contract opportunity for an experienced Electronics Technician to join a busy engineering team working on advanced electronics development projects with immediate interview availability.

IT Manager

April 24, 2026/in South Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Job Title: IT & Security Manager
Location: Stroud
Salary: Up to £65,000 DOE

About KO2’s Client
KO2’s client is an ambitious and rapidly growing engineering startup entering an exciting phase of scale. With innovation at its core, the business is building a robust, secure, and future-proof technology environment to support expansion. They are now looking for an experienced IT & Security Manager to take ownership of their IT infrastructure and security strategy from the ground up.

The Role
This is a hands-on and strategic role where you will design, build, and manage the company’s IT function while ensuring best-in-class security practices. You will play a key role in shaping internal infrastructure, supporting business growth, and embedding a strong security culture across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Design, implement, and manage scalable IT infrastructure across Linux, Mac, and Windows environments
Lead the development and enforcement of IT security policies, procedures, and controls
Own and drive ISO 27001 compliance, including audits, risk assessments, and continuous improvement
Manage networks, cloud services, endpoints, and internal systems
Ensure system reliability, performance, and security across all platforms
Oversee user access, identity management, and endpoint security
Act as the primary point of contact for all IT and information security matters
Support and scale IT operations in line with company growth
Manage third-party vendors and service providers where required

About You

Proven experience in an IT Manager, IT Lead, or similar role within a fast-paced environment
Strong hands-on experience with Linux, macOS, and Windows systems
Demonstrable experience implementing and maintaining ISO 27001 standards
Solid understanding of cybersecurity principles, risk management, and compliance
Experience with cloud platforms (e.g. AWS, Azure, or GCP)
Ability to build IT systems and processes from scratch in a growing organisation
Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive mindset
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work across technical and non-technical teams

Desirable Skills

Experience in a startup or scaling business
Knowledge of DevOps practices and automation tools

What KO2’s Client Offers

Opportunity to shape and lead IT and security strategy in a growing company
A collaborative, innovative, and flexible working environment

How to Apply
If you’re excited by the challenge of building and securing IT systems in a high-growth startup, please apply with your CV and a brief cover note outlining your experience and interest in the role.

Mechanical Design Engineer

April 22, 2026/in South Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Position: Mechanical Design Engineer

Location: Reading

Salary: Up to £100,000 DOE

KO2’s client is hiring a founding mechanical engineer to take ownership of mechanical design across a new, high performance engineering and manufacturing facility in Reading

This is a key early hire where you will define the mechanical architecture for current and future products, playing a central role in building what is set to become the best in class motor manufacturing facility in Europe

KO2’s client is building advanced, high reliability systems within a vertically integrated environment, combining design, manufacturing and validation under one roof. The focus is on developing precision engineered products that demand exceptional performance, quality and repeatability

As the founding mechanical engineer, you will own the mechanical design of small brushless motors ranging from 1kW to 15kW power, operating across 6 to 14S voltage platforms. You will lead motor design and broader mechanical systems, taking concepts through to production ready solutions

You will define motor architecture including rotor and stator design, thermal management, structural integrity, bearings, housings and overall system integration. You will work closely with electrical, manufacturing and test teams to ensure designs are optimised for performance, manufacturability and reliability

A key part of the role is ownership. You will drive design decisions, establish best practice, and influence how products are engineered as the company scales. You will also contribute to defining manufacturing processes, ensuring designs align with the realities of production across both motor winding and PCB assembly within the facility

You will be involved in validation and testing, supporting activities such as dynamometer testing, thermal profiling, vibration analysis and endurance testing to ensure products meet demanding application requirements

This role requires a hands on engineer with strong experience in motor design and mechanical systems within high performance or high reliability environments. You should be comfortable owning designs from concept through to production, making trade offs between performance, cost and manufacturability

Candidates with experience from high performance engineering environments such as McLaren Applied would be particularly well suited

You should be motivated by building something from the ground up, working in an environment where speed, quality and ownership are critical

Role requirements and logistics

Full time onsite role based in Reading
Salary £80,000 to £100,000 with flexibility for exceptional candidatesShort term contracts can be considered as an interim solution while a permanent hire is secured

If you are looking for a role where you can take full ownership of mechanical design and help define a new benchmark for motor performance and manufacturing in Europe, this is that opportunity

Apply today with an up-to-date CV.

Test and Compliance Engineer

April 22, 2026/in South Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Position: Test and Compliance Engineer

Location: Reading

Salary: Up to £100,000 DOE

KO2’s client is hiring a founding test and compliance engineer to take full ownership of testing and validation within a brand new, high performance manufacturing facility in Reading

This is a key, early hire where you will define how testing and compliance is done from day one, with the goal of helping build the best in class motor manufacturing facility in Europe

You will own the entire testing and compliance programme across both motor production and PCB assembly, creating an end to end validation environment that supports rapid product development while meeting the highest aerospace and defence standards

The products are small brushless motors ranging from 1kW to 15kW power, operating across 6 to 14S voltage platforms, requiring rigorous, evidence driven validation and verification processes

You will take full responsibility for designing and executing test strategies, covering EMC, environmental and functional validation. This includes pre compliance and formal EMC testing, environmental testing such as thermal, vibration and shock, and propulsion level validation including performance, efficiency and endurance

A major part of the role is ownership. You will build the complete testing framework, from lab capability and external test house management through to documentation and evidence packs required for aerospace and defence applications. You will define acceptance criteria, implement production test processes, and ensure traceability from design through to manufactured product

You will work closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to embed compliance thinking early in the design process, ensuring products are built for validation rather than retrofitted to pass tests later

The facility itself will consist of two core areas, PCB assembly and motor winding, and your role will span both, ensuring consistent, high quality validation across the full product lifecycle

This role requires someone highly experienced in aerospace or defence environments, with a strong understanding of relevant standards and how to apply them in practice. The ideal candidate will be an EMC expert with a background in aerospace or defence and experience working on propulsion systems or similar high reliability technologies

You should be comfortable taking full ownership of a discipline, building processes from scratch, and operating in a fast paced environment where speed and quality both matter

Role requirements and logistics

Full time onsite role based in Reading
Salary £80,000 to £100,000 with flexibility for exceptional candidates
Short term contracts can be considered as an interim solution while a permanent hire is secured

If you want to define the testing and compliance strategy for a facility being built to set the standard across Europe, this is that opportunity

Apply today with an up-to-date CV.

Manufacturing Architect

April 22, 2026/in South Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Position: Manufacturing Architect

Location: Reading

Salary: Up to £100,000 DOE

KO2’s client is hiring a founding motor manufacturing architect / engineer to take full ownership of a brand new, high performance manufacturing facility in Reading

This is a genuine ground up opportunity. You will set up the motor assembly facility from scratch, defining how it should be designed, laid out and operated. With a blank sheet in front of you, you will architect the manufacturing processes, select equipment, and build a production environment that sets the benchmark for motor manufacturing in Europe

The facility will focus on small brushless motors used in defence applications, with specifications ranging from 1kW to 15kW power and 6 to 14S voltage platforms. Alongside motor production, the site will also incorporate PCB assembly, creating a tightly integrated manufacturing environment

Your remit is not just to build the facility, but to run it. You will manage day to day operations, implement robust processes, and continuously optimise performance across yield, throughput and quality. The ambition is clear to scale this into the highest volume production facility of its type in Europe

Working closely with design engineering, you will take motors from concept into full production. You will establish stator winding processes, rotor and stator assembly, bearing installation, balancing and final verification. You will procure and commission winding equipment, develop fixtures and tooling, and implement quality systems including process controls, inspection and traceability

You will also take ownership of supplier qualification across key components such as laminations, magnets, winding wire, bearings and housings, ensuring consistent quality from incoming materials through to final product

As the facility grows, you will build and lead the manufacturing team, setting the standard for how the operation runs and scales

This role requires a hands on engineer who can move between strategy and execution. You should have experience in motor or electromechanical manufacturing, particularly in scaling or optimising production lines. Experience with winding, assembly and in process electrical testing is essential, and exposure to high reliability environments such as aerospace or defence would be highly valuable

This is an opportunity for someone who wants full ownership and the chance to build a best in class manufacturing operation from the ground up, then prove it at scale

Role requirements and logistics

Full time onsite role based in Reading

Salary £50,000 to £100,000 with flexibility for exceptional candidates
Short term contract options can be considered as an interim solution while a permanent hire is secured

If you are looking for a role where you can design the factory, build the processes, and run the operation to a world class standard, this is that opportunity

Apply today with an up to date CV.

Embedded Software Lead – MedTech

April 14, 2026/in South Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Embedded Software Lead – MedTech
Bristol (3–4 days on-site)
£75,000 + £20,000–£25,000 bonus + excellent benefits

KO2’s client is an innovative and fast-growing technology business developing advanced wearable devices within a medically regulated environment. They are now seeking an Embedded Software Medical Lead to play a critical role in shaping the next generation of their products, although being narrowly focused on highly specialised or niche medical systems.

This is a leadership position within the R&D function, sitting alongside mechanical leadership and taking ownership of embedded software at a system level.

The Opportunity

You’ll act as the system-level lead across embedded software and hardware, driving design, integration, and validation of both current and next-generation wearable products.

This role blends hands-on engineering, technical leadership, and cross-functional collaboration, giving you real influence over product direction without being confined to purely regulatory work.

What You’ll Be Doing

Contribute to early-stage innovation, exploring new technologies in embedded systems and wearable applications
Develop proof-of-concepts and functional prototypes
Identify risks early and shape product direction through informed engineering decisions
Support usability testing and concept validation

Lead system design across software and hardware for new product development
Own design control, risk management, and verification/validation activities
Provide technical oversight and challenge solutions to ensure high-quality delivery
Investigate complex technical issues and support resolution of field challenges
Drive continuous improvements in performance, reliability, and cost
Work closely with quality and cross-functional teams

What KO2’s client is looking for

Strong background in embedded software development (ideally with some hardware exposure)
Experience working on physical products (not purely cloud or desktop systems)
Background in a regulated environment (medical, safety-critical, or similar preferred, but not overly specialised)
Solid understanding of full product lifecycle, from concept through to launch and improvement
Experience with design control, testing, and documentation
Strong communicator with the ability to lead and influence

Technical skills:

Experience in C or C++ (or similar embedded languages)
Understanding of electronics or hardware integration (beneficial, not essential)
Awareness of cybersecurity and safety considerations

This role would suit someone who:

Wants to step into or continue in a technical leadership role
Enjoys working on tangible, real-world products
Prefers broad engineering ownership rather than being siloed
Has some exposure to regulated environments but doesn’t want an overly compliance-heavy role.

Salary and Benefits

£75,000 base salary
On-target bonus of £20,000–£25,000
Strong benefits package
A key leadership role in a growing R&D team
The opportunity to work on cutting-edge wearable technology with real-world impact

If you’re an embedded software engineer ready to lead at a systems level—and want to work on innovative wearable products in a collaborative, fast-moving environment—this could be a great next step.

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

April 10, 2026/in South Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Senior Embedded Software Engineer (Motor Control & Real-Time Systems)
Location: Reading with Hybrid WFH

KO2’s client, a cutting-edge and rapidly scaling start-up based in Reading, is looking for a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to play a key role in developing next-generation motor drive and propulsion systems.

This is a high-impact opportunity to work on advanced embedded platforms at the intersection of real-time control, power electronics, and high-performance firmware, helping to shape both product direction and engineering culture from an early stage.

What You’ll Do

Design and implement real-time embedded firmware for ESC controllers and next-generation motor drive systems, from initial architecture through to production release
Develop and optimise motor control algorithms for BLDC motors, including field-oriented control, sensorless commutation, and current loop tuning
Integrate sensors and implement feedback control systems for position, speed, and current regulation
Own and implement communication stacks including CAN, UART, SPI, I2C, and DShot, and define telemetry interfaces
Optimise firmware for performance, memory efficiency, and deterministic real-time behaviour on resource-constrained microcontrollers
Collaborate closely with power electronics engineers to define hardware–firmware interfaces (gate drivers, current sensing, ADC configuration, protection logic)
Lead firmware architecture decisions including RTOS selection, scheduling strategies, and platform abstraction
Establish engineering best practices: version control, code reviews, testing frameworks, and CI/CD pipelines
Conduct system-level validation including hardware-in-the-loop testing, dynamometer integration, and field trials

Required Skills and Experience

5+ years of hands-on experience in embedded C/C++ for real-time systems
Proven experience in motor control, power electronics, or high-reliability embedded systems
Experience in a technical lead or architect role, owning firmware from concept through production
Strong expertise in RTOS (e.g. FreeRTOS, Zephyr), including scheduling, interrupts, and deterministic timing
Experience implementing and debugging communication protocols (CAN, UART, SPI, I2C)
Strong debugging skills using oscilloscopes, logic analysers, and hardware tools
Proficiency with Git, CI/CD pipelines, unit testing, and modern development workflows

Preferred

Background in aerospace, defence, or UAV systems, particularly propulsion or ESC development
Knowledge of advanced motor control techniques (FOC, sensorless control, space vector modulation)
Familiarity with safety-critical standards (DO-178C, IEC 61508, MISRA C)
Understanding of power electronics fundamentals (PWM, gate drivers, current sensing, thermal considerations)

What’s on Offer

Opportunity to join a cutting-edge start-up at a pivotal growth stage
Work on industry-leading technology with real-world impact
Competitive salary, equity, and benefits package
Flexible and hybrid working options
A highly collaborative, ambitious, and technically driven culture.

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

Power Electronics Engineer – Torque Control

April 7, 2026/in South Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Power Electronics Engineer – Torque Control
Location: Bracknell Area (Hybrid Working Available)
Salary: Up to £100,000 + Benefits

Are you a talented Power Electronics Engineer looking to work on cutting-edge technology at the early stages of development? Our client, an innovative and fast-growing engineering company based in the Bracknell area, is seeking a skilled individual to join their team and play a key role in a brand-new, torque control focussed project with significant long-term potential.

The Opportunity

This is a rare chance to get involved at the ground level of an exciting new programme, where your expertise will directly influence product direction, architecture, and performance. You’ll work within a collaborative, forward-thinking environment, contributing to the design and development of advanced power electronic systems.

Key Responsibilities

Design and develop power electronics systems and components for torque-driven applications
Work across the full product lifecycle, from concept through to validation and production
Develop and optimise inverter, converter, and motor drive systems
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including mechanical, control systems, and embedded software engineers
Conduct testing, simulation, and performance analysis to ensure robust and efficient designs
Support prototyping and early-stage product development

Requirements

Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a related discipline
Proven experience in power electronics design (e.g., inverters, converters, motor drives)
Strong understanding of torque control systems and related applications
Experience with simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, LTspice)
Knowledge of control algorithms and embedded systems is desirable
Ability to work in a fast-paced, evolving R&D environment

What’s on Offer

Competitive salary up to £100,000
Hybrid working model (flexible home/office split)
Generous benefits package (including pension, bonus, and more)
Opportunity to work on a pioneering project from its earliest stages
Clear career progression within a growing organisation

If you’re passionate about innovation and want to make a tangible impact on next-generation technology, this could be the perfect role for you.

Apply now to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Edge AI Engineer

March 30, 2026/in South Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Edge AI Engineer | Fast-Growing Tech Company

Location: Stroud, Gloucestershire

Salary: Up to £70,000

About the Company

KO2’s client is a rapidly expanding technology company based in Stroud, developing cutting-edge intelligent systems that sit at the intersection of embedded engineering and artificial intelligence. With strong investment and an exciting product roadmap, they are looking to bring on an Edge AI Engineer to help shape the next generation of smart, connected devices.

The Role

As an Edge AI Engineer, you will design and deploy AI models directly onto embedded hardware, working closely with multidisciplinary teams across hardware, firmware, and data science. This is a hands-on role where you will take solutions from concept through to real-world deployment. You will be required to achieve SC clearance in this role, if you have it already that is ideal.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and optimise AI/ML models for edge devices
Integrate sensor data into Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs)
Design and implement Digital Signal Processing (DSP) pipelines
Develop and maintain microcontroller software (C/C++ or similar)
Work on mesh networking solutions for distributed device communication
Collaborate with hardware engineers to ensure seamless system integration
Optimise performance for low-power, resource-constrained environments

Required Skills & Experience

Strong experience in Edge AI / Embedded Machine Learning
Proven knowledge of integrating sensor data with CNNs
Solid understanding of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques
Knowledge or experience with mesh networking protocols
Proficiency in C/C++ and/or Python
Familiarity with embedded Linux is a plus
Ability to hold SC clearance.

Desirable Skills

Experience with TinyML or similar frameworks
Knowledge of wireless communication protocols (BLE, Zigbee, LoRa, etc.)
Experience deploying models using TensorFlow Lite or similar

If you’re passionate about bringing AI out of the cloud and into real-world devices, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch with KO2 Recruitment for more details.