Lead Embedded Software Engineer

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.