Senior Embedded Linux Engineer

£65-80K – Full-time – London/Hybrid 

IONATE is a deep technology start-up building the technology backbone for smart grids. Our team is looking for a Senior Embedded Software Engineer who will be responsible for developing and implementing real time software, taking concepts through to commercial product for customers.  

Requiring extensive knowledge and experience in embedded software development, this position will involve working with our hardware and software team. With a focus on real-time embedded firmware development, you will be actively contributing to in analyses, design reviews, simulations, technical discussions, verification and validation processes.  

You will need an innovative approach to engineering with well-grounded reasoning and experience. Importantly you will contribute to live ongoing projects and test activities and work with the team to continue developing our HIT technology.   

What you will do:  

Software Development and Implementation 

• Develop embedded software for grid-connected inverters 

• Implement, test, debug and troubleshoot DSP / microcontroller processor firmware and algorithms 

• Design by principal control firmware that respects safety, quality and international standards 

• Ensuring that the embedded software is designed and implemented using best in class practices to produce readable, scalable code 

Hardware Interaction and Validation 

• Hands on embedded system hardware design validation and debugging 

• Collaboration and Project Management 

• Actively participate in technical development and testing across a multi-disciplinary team including transformer, power electronics, control, PLC, grid network, and cloud software engineers 

• Work to clear timescales and collaborate teams to deliver projects on time, with ambitious product goals 

Documentation 

• Create and maintain documentation such as requirements and specification documents, testing reports and product manuals 

Requirements

What you will need:  

Embedded System Expertise 

• Experience using/ developing/ working with embedded RTOS

• Extensive industry experience in software design for embedded RTOS platforms 

• Extensive experience in building and bringing up embedded custom images 

Programming and Software Development 

• Experience in programming languages such as C/C++

• Experience in network communications including knowledge in protocols such as TCP, UDP and experience in implementation of OTA (over-the-air) firmware updates 

• Experience developing embedded software from concept to commercially ready product for market 

• Experience using version control tools such as GIT 

Hardware Knowledge 

• Ability to read PCB schematics, datasheets, testing and debugging of PCB boards 

Soft Skills

• Solid communication skills enabling you to work with various teams across the globe 

• A drive to learn new things! 

• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally when required for testing/ commissioning 

It would be useful to have:  

Platforms and Protocols 

• Hands-on experience with AMD Zynq-UltraScale MPSoC platforms 

• Experience in communications protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, QSPI, USB 

Software Development 

• Experience using/ developing/ working with embedded Linux

• Industry experience in software design for embedded Linux platforms 

• Experience in building and bringing up embedded Linux custom images 

• Experience in designing Linux device drivers 

• Experience in other programming and scripting languages such as Python, JavaScript 

Control Systems and Power Electronics 

• Experience in digital closed loop control applications 

• Understanding of power electronics 

• Knowledge or experience of power electronics integration within the grid is bonus 

Benefits

• Private Medical and Dental Insurance: We provide a full, comprehensive private medical and dental insurance through Bupa.

• Flexible working schedules: You will be based in our modern West London office but will have the flexibility for hybrid work-from-home arrangements. Talk to us at the application stage about any scheduling preferences you may have.  

• Employee Option Plan: You get equity in IONATE, so as we succeed so do you.  

• Company pension: a competitive, flexible, and sustainable pension product to help you plan for your future.  

• Career Development: It's important to us that you have the opportunity for ongoing professional development and career growth.  

• Slow travel: We believe in a low carbon future, so if you wish to travel by a lower carbon method - but it takes much longer than flying - we will give you an extra 2 days per year. 

About IONATE 
 
Driven by first-principles engineering, IONATE is transforming power systems for the energy transition. 
 
Our hardware is the Hybrid Intelligent Transformer (HIT): a new building block for the power grid and everything connecting. It integrates into the network like a transformer but solves key power quality issues through all-in-one power flow control. Beyond the passive voltage step, it provides data visibility, stepless and dynamic voltage control, harmonics removal and reactive power control with millisecond-precision. Its innovative hybrid design leveraging magnetic control makes it a robust, reliable, and affordable upgrade. 
 
While deployed to remove constraints and prevent issues, HITs effectively light up real-time control nodes for the very first time. Once placed in strategic points of the network, IONATE's AI platform can coordinate them to form a true smart system, coupling top-down grid orchestration with instantaneous bottom-up control in the physics. This full stack will achieve real-time system optimisation and turn the passive old grid into a flexible, decentralized platform that catalyses innovation. 
 

3 reasons why you should apply:   

You'll work on something that matters. The most rewarding aspect of our job is seeing what we build in the lab get used in the real world. As our tech gets used in solar farms, batteries, and electricity grids, your work will help shape the future of the green energy transition . 
 
The thinking you'll do here is not your average exercises on repeat. Building a brand-new class of tech requires cutting-edge ideas. If you like to solve unconventional problems, to be given freedom to explore, to challenge - and be challenged by - field experts, you will fit just right in. 
 
The rocket ship is taking off. Our innovation has been proven and demand is immense. IONATE is now rapidly scaling up and undertaking global projects. Joining early and working side-by-side with our leadership team means ample opportunity to grow your role together with our company. 

 
IONATE has a friendly team that collaborates and supports one-another. If you don't fit all the description above, but you are passionate about the work we are doing and could add value to our team, please get in touch. We believe in making positions fit the skills of people, not the other way around. We are also committed to providing equal opportunities, an inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone. We value diversity in race, gender identity, sexuality, age, family or civil status, disability, religion, or ethnicity and encourage you to apply wherever you come from.