Software Engineer (MCU)

About the role

Ensera Design is a world-class user-centred innovation and product development consultancy, specializing in the medical and consumer health sectors with offices in Bristol, Colorado and New Jersey. As part of Ensera, we collaborate globally with contract manufacturing facilities in Europe, the USA, and Asia.

We are currently seeking an embedded Software Engineer to join our talented team and contribute to delivering exceptional solutions for our clients.

You’ll join a multidisciplinary team developing a greenfield medical device from the ground up.

Day to day, your focus will be designing and implementing microcontroller-based systems in embedded C/C++. You’ll sit alongside hardware, Linux, UI and test engineers and have the opportunity to make a genuine contribution to a medical device project.

You'll have a team of Senior Software Engineers around you who'll mentor you throughout. Due to the nature of Ensera Design’s work, you’ll have the opportunity to either branch out into other specialisms or go deeper into the one you’re already in.

About you

You’re an engineer who has worked across safety-critical systems and/or medical devices in the past with a desire to develop using embedded C/C++ targeting STM32 ARM microcontrollers or similar platforms. You’ll be a strong communicator with a desire to share knowledge and mentor junior members of the team - you’ll also be mentored by experienced engineers who have grown with the business.

You’ll be interested in working on safety-critical applications across the full development lifecycle and in accordance with safety and reliability standards such as IEC 62304.

What you’ll do

• Design and implement MCU firmware in line with agreed system and security architecture

• Support MCU subsystems and components

• Develop embedded C/C++ code for real-time systems

• Collaborate with hardware, Linux, UI, connectivity, and test teams on integration topics

• Define and maintain coding standards and design patterns for MCU software

• Support fault investigation, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions

• Share knowledge and mentor more junior members of the team

Your skills and experience

You don't need to tick every box but if you hit most of the essentials, we'd love to hear from you.

Essential

● Around 3-5 years’ experience developing embedded firmware on MCUs (ARM Cortex-M or equivalent)

● Solid C and/or C++ skills

● Experience with RTOS-based systems

● Understanding of hardware–software interfaces and peripheral drivers

● Experience working in quality-controlled or safety-critical development environments

Desirable

● Experience with STM32 or similar MCU families

● Bootloader, firmware update, or secure startup experience

● Familiarity with MISRA or similar embedded coding standards

● Experience with communication protocols (UART, SPI, I²C, CAN)

● Exposure to cybersecurity considerations at MCU level

The salary for this role is up to £53,000, in line with our Consultant band (£40,800 to £53,000). Please note we ask you to provide your expected salary within the band as part of your application, this helps us understand how you view your experience against the role’s scope.

Why work with us?

Ensera Design offers interesting and varied work combined with a supportive team culture to provide a stimulating environment where you will have the opportunity to develop and learn from others. We offer flexible working policies where working patterns are agreed with our line managers, taking into account the role, needs of the individual, and the team.

We recognise that we are only as good as our people and we know how important it is to support our team.

We offer:

• Performance-related company-wide bonus.

• Flexible hybrid working in line with our core hours (Mon–Thu, 9:30am–12:00pm & 2:00pm–4:00pm; Fri, 9:30am–12:00pm).

• Private healthcare for you and your family.

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.

• Salary exchange pension scheme.

• 25 days of annual leave, plus the option to purchase up to one working week and additional days for length of service.

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme and digital wellbeing platform.

• Cycle to Work & Electric Vehicle Lease schemes.

• Death in service (x4 gross salary).

• Training and development opportunities, including dedicated learning days and regular knowledge-sharing sessions.

• A free lunch the first Monday of every month alongside our company-wide meeting.

• Free breakfast every Wednesday, and plenty of opportunities to socialise, including team-organized activities, summer and Christmas parties, and more.

About us

We are based in an iconic Grade II listed building in the heart of Bristol. Our vibrant workspace houses state-of-the-art labs, a design studio, usability suites, and collaborative meeting spaces. Nestled in a lively neighbourhood with independent shops, we’re just a short walk from Park Street, the Harbourside, and St. Nick’s Markets.

We are proud of our values:

• Find a way: We work as one team, combining our knowledge and experience to unite around a shared goal. We trust each other and do what’s needed to get things done and exceed expectations.

• Pull together: We believe anything is possible. When faced with challenges we take the initiative, using our creative spirit and determination to find bold solutions and deliver results that move us forward.

• Care: We act with integrity, take pride in our work, and support each other. We each play our part to make a positive impact for our customers, our colleagues, and our planet.

Our diverse, multidisciplinary team spans research, design, human factors, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, and beyond. Together, we deliver cutting-edge solutions for clients ranging from global leaders to innovative start-ups, with a particular focus on medical devices, drug delivery, orthopaedics, and diagnostics.

Do we sound like a good match for you?

If you’d like to discuss the role or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments you may need to make your application, we’d love to hear from you. If you think you might be the right person for us but want an informal chat first then get in touch via careers_uk@enseradesign.com.

If you like the sound of Ensera Design and you feel you have the right skills for the role please click apply.

Please note we intend to shortlist applications as they come in. We look forward to hearing from you!

At Ensera Design we believe that designing for people means including all people, starting with the team behind the work. Our human-centred design ethos is rooted in empathy, and our values – pull together, find a way, and care – guide us in building a team that reflects the diversity of the world we design for.

We know that different perspectives lead to better ideas, stronger collaboration, and more meaningful outcomes. If you meet the skills and experience for this role, we welcome your application – whatever your background, identity, or path into design. What matters to us is that you share our belief in purposeful, people-first design.

Polite notice for agencies – We appreciate the interest from recruitment partners; however, we are managing this hiring process directly and ask that agencies do not contact us regarding this role. Unsolicited CVs will be considered as a gift to Ensera Design.