Lead Embedded Software Engineer

Bristol
6 hours ago
Create job alert

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 teamsWhat 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 influenceTechnical skills:

Experience in C or C++ (or similar embedded languages)

Understanding of electronics or hardware integration (beneficial, not essential)

Awareness of cybersecurity and safety considerationsThis 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 impactIf 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

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Electronics Project Lead

Principal Electronic Design Engineer

Principal Electronics Engineer

Principal Firmware Engineer

Lead Design Quality Engineer - Medical Devices

Lead Architect - Outside IR35 , Medtech, Digital Healthcare

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Medical Technology Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Medical Technology Job?

If you’re pursuing a career in medical technology, it can feel like the toolkit is endlessly long: imaging systems, data analysis software, regulatory platforms, testing frameworks, prototyping tools, CAD, quality management systems, signal processing libraries and more. Scroll job boards or LinkedIn, and it’s easy to think you need to know every tool under the sun just to secure an interview. Here’s the honest truth most hiring managers won’t explicitly tell you: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool — they hire you because you understand the underlying principles and can apply the right tool in the right context to solve real problems. Tools matter — absolutely — but they are secondary to problem-solving ability, clinical awareness, engineering rigour and the ability to deliver safe, reliable solutions. So how many medical technology tools do you actually need to know to get a job? For most job seekers, the answer is far fewer than you think. This article explains what employers really want, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so you look confident, competent and end-game ready.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Medical Technology Job Applications (UK Guide)

Medical technology (MedTech) is one of the most dynamic and high-impact sectors in the UK — spanning medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, AI-assisted systems, wearables, imaging, robotics and clinical software. At the same time, hiring managers are exceptionally selective because MedTech roles demand technical excellence, regulated safety awareness, clinical context and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Whether you’re applying for roles in R&D, engineering, quality & regulatory, clinical validation, product management or software development for medical systems, hiring managers don’t read every word of your CV. They scan it quickly — often deciding within the first 10–20 seconds whether to continue reading. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in medical technology applications — and how you can make your CV, portfolio and cover letter stand out in the UK market.

The Skills Gap in Medical Technology Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Medical technology — also known as medtech — is transforming healthcare. Innovations in diagnostics, imaging, wearable sensors, robotics, telehealth, digital therapeutics and advanced prosthetics are improving outcomes and saving lives. As the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) modernises and a thriving life sciences sector expands, demand for medtech professionals is growing rapidly. Yet employers across the UK consistently report a frustrating problem: many graduates are not ready for real medtech jobs. Despite strong academic credentials, candidates often lack the practical, interdisciplinary skills needed to contribute effectively from day one. This is not a question of effort or intelligence. It is a widening skills gap between university education and the applied demands of medical technology roles. This article explores that gap in depth — what universities are teaching well, where programmes fall short, why the gap persists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build thriving careers in medical technology.