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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.

Embedded Software Engineer

Position: Embedded Software Engineer
Salary: Up to £70,000
Location: York (Hybrid working available)

Our client offers an exciting opportunity to play a central role in developing and delivering software for international projects. You’ll be involved throughout the full lifecycle—from initial concept through to deployment—helping bring innovative features to market.

In this role, you’ll tackle complex technical challenges, working with advanced algorithms, data structures, and language parsing technologies.

They are looking for a motivated and innovative embedded software engineer with a strong foundation in computer science and a proactive, “can-do” mindset. Ideal candidates will have experience in several of the following areas:

Strong background in reliable, embedded, or real-time software systems
Degree or PhD in Computer Science or a related field
Excellent communication skills for customer-facing work
Ability to manage workloads independently and stay organized under pressure
Strong written and spoken English skills
Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS)

You’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive team focused on delivering high-quality software for next-generation, products. Day-to-day responsibilities include:

Providing integration, consultancy, and training services to global clients
Supporting product development by translating customer requirements into practical solutions
Assisting with technical pre-sales, including demonstrations and proof-of-concept work
Developing and maintaining software
Delivering responsive and effective customer support, including on-site visits
Working with a wide range of processors, compilers, debuggers, and RTOS environments

Based in York, the position offers flexible hours and hybrid working options. You’ll join a friendly, forward-thinking team with a shared passion for technology in an open and innovative work environment.

Benefits include:

Flexible working hours
33 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
Private pension scheme
Cycle-to-work scheme
Team events and away days
Complimentary fruit and drinks
On-site parking for cars and bikes

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

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.

Electronics Engineer

April 21, 2026/in North West Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Electronics Engineer

Chester Area

Up to £65,000 + Bonus

KO2’s client is a well-established, employee-owned consultancy that designs bespoke embedded electronic products for a wide range of applications. With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality engineering solutions, they combine in-house product development with custom design work, giving engineers the chance to work on varied, technically challenging projects across the full lifecycle.

They are now looking for a Mid to Senior Electronics Engineer with strong embedded software experience to join their growing team.

This is a hands-on role sitting right at the hardware–software boundary. You’ll be involved in everything from schematic capture and PCB design through to board bring-up and embedded C development, working on complex embedded systems including microcontroller and application processor-based designs.

What you’ll be doing:

Designing analogue and digital electronics, including PCB layout
Bringing up new hardware and debugging at board level using embedded software
Developing embedded C code to support hardware validation and functionality
Working across the full product lifecycle, from concept through to production
Contributing to a range of projects, including next-generation embedded and IoT-style systems

What they’re looking for:

A well-rounded electronics engineer with solid embedded software skills
Strong experience in analogue and digital design
Confidence with board bring-up and debugging using embedded C
Experience with common interfaces such as SPI, I²C, UART, CAN
Comfortable working with microcontrollers (e.g. ARM Cortex-M) and ideally application processors
Someone adaptable and capable of picking up new technologies (e.g. Linux, FPGA, or higher-level software where required)

Desirable experience:

Embedded Linux or RTOS experience
Mains-powered design / power supply experience
Experience with single board computer or similar embedded platforms
Exposure to production or manufacturing environments

Why join KO2’s client?

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative, engineering-led environment where you’ll work on genuinely interesting products rather than narrow, siloed tasks. Engineers here are involved in real problem-solving, not just incremental changes.

The business offers a unique and highly attractive working pattern:

Every other Friday off
Early finish at 1pm on the alternate Friday

They are also employee-owned, which means you benefit directly from the company’s success.

This includes:

A profit-related bonus, with up to £3,600 per year tax-free
The opportunity to receive free shares and purchase additional shares in the business

Additional benefits include:

Private medical insurance
Competitive holiday allowance, increasing with service
A supportive, non-corporate culture focused on quality engineering rather than long hours

This role is based on-site, reflecting the hands-on nature of the work, particularly around hardware development and lab-based testing.

If you’re an engineer who enjoys working across both electronics and embedded software, and you want to be part of a business where your work genuinely makes an impact, this is well worth exploring.

Electronics Technician

April 20, 2026/in North East Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Electronics Technician

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

Electronic Embedded Engineer

April 20, 2026/in North East Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Electronics / Embedded Design Engineer
Newcastle
£40,000 – £45,000 (flexible depending on experience)

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.

Chief Technology Officer

April 14, 2026/in North East Permanent /by Chris Oddy

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Newcastle

Up to £110,000 + Benefits

Our client is a leading multidisciplinary engineering firm, delivering innovative products and technical solutions utilised by customers across the globe. With a strong reputation for excellence, they combine advanced engineering expertise with a collaborative approach to solve complex industrial challenges.Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Technology Officer will provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Engineering Department. You will be ultimately responsible for the delivery of high-quality technical solutions to customers, as well as providing technical services and support to internal functions.

This is a pivotal role within the Senior Leadership Team, offering the opportunity to shape the company’s technical direction, drive innovation, and influence business-wide performance.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage a multidisciplinary engineering department, including power electronics (hardware/software), electrical machine design, PCB and mechanical design teams.
Oversee the successful delivery of technical solutions, products, and services to customers worldwide.
Define and deliver product roadmap in collaboration with other members of the senior team.
Drive continuous improvement across engineering processes to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and output quality.
Identify and implement product improvements, focusing on value enhancement, issue resolution, and cost reduction.
Collaborate with commercial and business development teams to define technical solutions, costing, and delivery resourcing to support sales conversion.
Support manufacturing in resolving product issues, including returned or defective products, and assist procurement with technical expertise where required.
Act as a key member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to overall business strategy and operational priorities.
Lead, mentor, and develop engineering managers and wider team members, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and collaboration.

Key Requirements

Proven experience in a senior engineering leadership role (CTO, Engineering Director, or similar).
Strong background in multidisciplinary engineering environments, ideally including power electronics and electrical systems.
Demonstrated ability to lead and scale high-performing technical teams.
Experience in product development, roadmap planning, and lifecycle management.
Commercial awareness with the ability to support business development and sales activities.
Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

What’s on Offer

Executive-level influence within a globally recognised engineering business.
Opportunity to shape technical strategy and drive innovation at scale.
Competitive salary, bonus, and benefits package.
A collaborative and forward-thinking leadership environment.

If you are an experienced technology leader ready to take on a high-impact role within a globally respected engineering organisation, contact Andrew or Laurence at KO2 today.