Smartbox Assistive Technology
Bristol, Gloucestershire
Senior Firmware Engineer Location: Bristol; Hybrid Join us at Smartbox as a Senior Firmware Engineer! Are you a passionate Firmware Engineer wanting to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual to help improve the lives of people with disabilities. Your Impact As our Senior Firmware Engineer, you will: Technical Project Delivery: Deliver multi disciplinary projects, meeting scope, time, budget and quality requirements, and coordinating others as needed. Firmware Architecture and Lifecycle: Develop reliable, portable firmware with a long-life cycle. Firmware Development: Design, develop and maintain embedded firmware in C for Zephyr RTOS and Embedded Linux, including board bring up, drivers and HALs. Code Quality and Standards: Set and uphold coding, documentation and review standards, ensuring best practices in architecture, modularity, fault tolerance and testability. Test strategy and Automation: Apply strong automated testing practices following the Test Pyramid, including unit, component, contract and hardware in the loop tests, with CI automation to prevent regressions. Test Software and Tooling: Build and maintain automated test harnesses, GUIs and utility tools (e.g. Python, C#) to support development, validation and manufacturing. Libraries and Developer Experience: Create libraries and demo applications in C compatible languages (C#, C++) to support subsystem validation and cross team integration. Verification and Validation: EAD verification through lab testing, user trials and real world use, ensuring documentation supports regulatory compliance. Quality Assurance: Analyse and resolve quality issues promptly, feeding insights back into designs and processes to drive continuous improvement. Technical Strategy: Contribute to strategy for reliable, mission critical firmware, clearly communicating trade offs and enabling strong decision making. Mentoring and Leadership: Mentor Engineers, provide coaching and support, and help foster a positive, collaborative team culture. Essential Qualifications / Skills / Experience: Degree or equivalent experience in an engineering subject (Electronics, Computer Science, Software), Physics, Mathematics, or another scientific subject. 8+ years of experience in embedded software development in C. A strong knowledge of Computer Science fundamentals in data structures, algorithm design, problem-solving, and complexity analysis. A strong grounding in embedded software architecture, with a focus on maintainability, modularity, fault-tolerance and testability. Confident and experienced with automated testing, including unit, integration and system tests, mocking and automation frameworks. A strong understanding of API design and the creation of clear, stable abstractions for hardware / firmware interaction. Skilled at debugging in constrained environments and using hardware / software debugging tools. A proven track record of innovation and quality software development throughout the entire software product lifecycle. Ability to solve complex technical problems in elegant and maintainable ways, demonstrating systems thinking across hardware, firmware and application layers. Experience with embedded platforms (for example: Embedded Linux, Arduino, STM32, Nordic, Zephyr RTOS). A passion and drive for excellence in software craftsmanship. Linux, Bash / shell, CI (Continuous integration) experience. Ability to read electronics schematics and collaborate effectively with Hardware Engineers during bring-up and debugging. Technical leadership through influence able to guide architecture and standards, mentor others, and improve team-wide practices. Practical, proactive mindset comfortable taking initiative and working through ambiguity in a fast-moving team. Proven experience in people or team management, with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop others. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships at all levels. Proven ability to foster high performing, engaged, and collaborative teams. About Smartbox Smartbox is a leader in assistive communication technology, with products used globally by people with diverse needs. Our values, passionate, caring, empowering, achieving together and enabling change, guide everything we do. Our Inclusive Culture We believe in giving everyone a voice. Joining Smartbox means joining a diverse, collaborative team and supporting a community that relies on our technology. Our Commitment to Sustainability We prioritise sustainability, aiming to reduce our environmental impact. By joining us, you ll help support a more inclusive and sustainable future. Our D&I Commitments We are a Disability Confident Employer and a Founding Partner of Purple Tuesday. Our recruitment practices are inclusive and barrier free, with adjustments available throughout the process and your career. We believe in adding to our culture. Our diverse team shapes products that reflect our users. Rewards and Benefits Explore competitive salary, private medical insurance, hybrid working, wellness benefits and paid volunteering days. Agencies Please respect that at this current time, we wish to recruit directly and are not seeking agency support.
Senior Firmware Engineer Location: Bristol; Hybrid Join us at Smartbox as a Senior Firmware Engineer! Are you a passionate Firmware Engineer wanting to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual to help improve the lives of people with disabilities. Your Impact As our Senior Firmware Engineer, you will: Technical Project Delivery: Deliver multi disciplinary projects, meeting scope, time, budget and quality requirements, and coordinating others as needed. Firmware Architecture and Lifecycle: Develop reliable, portable firmware with a long-life cycle. Firmware Development: Design, develop and maintain embedded firmware in C for Zephyr RTOS and Embedded Linux, including board bring up, drivers and HALs. Code Quality and Standards: Set and uphold coding, documentation and review standards, ensuring best practices in architecture, modularity, fault tolerance and testability. Test strategy and Automation: Apply strong automated testing practices following the Test Pyramid, including unit, component, contract and hardware in the loop tests, with CI automation to prevent regressions. Test Software and Tooling: Build and maintain automated test harnesses, GUIs and utility tools (e.g. Python, C#) to support development, validation and manufacturing. Libraries and Developer Experience: Create libraries and demo applications in C compatible languages (C#, C++) to support subsystem validation and cross team integration. Verification and Validation: EAD verification through lab testing, user trials and real world use, ensuring documentation supports regulatory compliance. Quality Assurance: Analyse and resolve quality issues promptly, feeding insights back into designs and processes to drive continuous improvement. Technical Strategy: Contribute to strategy for reliable, mission critical firmware, clearly communicating trade offs and enabling strong decision making. Mentoring and Leadership: Mentor Engineers, provide coaching and support, and help foster a positive, collaborative team culture. Essential Qualifications / Skills / Experience: Degree or equivalent experience in an engineering subject (Electronics, Computer Science, Software), Physics, Mathematics, or another scientific subject. 8+ years of experience in embedded software development in C. A strong knowledge of Computer Science fundamentals in data structures, algorithm design, problem-solving, and complexity analysis. A strong grounding in embedded software architecture, with a focus on maintainability, modularity, fault-tolerance and testability. Confident and experienced with automated testing, including unit, integration and system tests, mocking and automation frameworks. A strong understanding of API design and the creation of clear, stable abstractions for hardware / firmware interaction. Skilled at debugging in constrained environments and using hardware / software debugging tools. A proven track record of innovation and quality software development throughout the entire software product lifecycle. Ability to solve complex technical problems in elegant and maintainable ways, demonstrating systems thinking across hardware, firmware and application layers. Experience with embedded platforms (for example: Embedded Linux, Arduino, STM32, Nordic, Zephyr RTOS). A passion and drive for excellence in software craftsmanship. Linux, Bash / shell, CI (Continuous integration) experience. Ability to read electronics schematics and collaborate effectively with Hardware Engineers during bring-up and debugging. Technical leadership through influence able to guide architecture and standards, mentor others, and improve team-wide practices. Practical, proactive mindset comfortable taking initiative and working through ambiguity in a fast-moving team. Proven experience in people or team management, with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop others. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships at all levels. Proven ability to foster high performing, engaged, and collaborative teams. About Smartbox Smartbox is a leader in assistive communication technology, with products used globally by people with diverse needs. Our values, passionate, caring, empowering, achieving together and enabling change, guide everything we do. Our Inclusive Culture We believe in giving everyone a voice. Joining Smartbox means joining a diverse, collaborative team and supporting a community that relies on our technology. Our Commitment to Sustainability We prioritise sustainability, aiming to reduce our environmental impact. By joining us, you ll help support a more inclusive and sustainable future. Our D&I Commitments We are a Disability Confident Employer and a Founding Partner of Purple Tuesday. Our recruitment practices are inclusive and barrier free, with adjustments available throughout the process and your career. We believe in adding to our culture. Our diverse team shapes products that reflect our users. Rewards and Benefits Explore competitive salary, private medical insurance, hybrid working, wellness benefits and paid volunteering days. Agencies Please respect that at this current time, we wish to recruit directly and are not seeking agency support.
Smartbox Assistive Technology
Bristol, Gloucestershire
Join us at Smartbox as an Engineering Manager! Are you a passionate Engineering Manager looking to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual like you to join our team and contribute to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Your Impact As our Engineering Manager, you will: Technical Planning & Delivery: Oversee day-to-day engineering task planning and execution across firmware, electronics, mechanical, and QA/test. Work cross-functionally with Product Managers and Designers to align technical planning with product goals, ensuring engineering output consistently meets expectations for quality, cost, and time. Support Engineers in making architectural decisions that are robust, scalable, and support long-term maintainability. Support Engineers in making informed platform decisions, balancing innovation, reliability, cost, and compliance. Make resourcing and delivery risks visible early at a leadership level. Provide oversight and guidance on our component technology roadmap, aligning technical direction with product strategy. Process, Quality & Compliance: Develop and uphold product realisation processes to comply with ISO 13485, including documentation, review, IOVV, and transfer. Take ownership for the engineering team s compliance with ISO 14971, IEC (phone number removed) and other related standards necessary for ensuring essential safety and performance. Ensure CAPA is executed with speed, precision, and clear, consistent communication that promotes trust, collaboration and resolution. QA/Test Oversight: Oversee hardware testing, including test planning, traceability, verification, and formal reporting. Manage the shared engineering lab space, ensuring it is safe, well-equipped, and well-used. Develop World-class Engineers: Provide regular 1:1s, feedback, coaching, and career development support. Help Engineers set meaningful goals and hold them accountable. Support onboarding and mentoring of new team members. Essential Qualifications/Skills/Experience: A passion for improving lives through assistive technology. Bachelor s degree in a relevant engineering discipline. 3+ years experience leading teams to deliver innovative products in a highly regulated industry. Strong interpersonal and communication skills able to listen, mediate, motivate, and build consensus across diverse technical teams. A hands-on, people-first approach, with a genuine interest in helping others grow and succeed. Deep understanding of electronic embedded systems. Deep understanding of engineering best practices, including structured design reviews, traceability, risk-based validation, and root cause analysis with a focus on building safe, scalable, high-quality products. Proven ability to balance speed and quality, helping teams stay focused and aligned without micromanaging. Strong working knowledge of UK MDR, EU MDR, and FDA 21 CFR Part 820 regulations for medical devices. Strong working knowledge of ISO 13485 (quality management), ISO 14971 (risk management), and IEC 60601 series (electrical safety). About Smartbox At Smartbox, we're proud to be at the forefront of assistive communication technology. Our innovative products are used globally by individuals with diverse needs. Our values - passionate, caring, empowering, achieving together, and enabling change - resonate in everything we do. Our Inclusive Culture We believe in giving everyone a voice. Joining Smartbox means joining a diverse team that values collaboration and supports a community that relies on our technology for effective communication. Our Commitment to Sustainability At Smartbox, we not only innovate but also prioritise sustainability. We aim to minimise our carbon footprint and promote a greener world through sustainable solutions. By joining us, you'll contribute to shaping a more inclusive society while actively supporting our sustainability efforts. Our D&I Commitments At Smartbox, we prioritise diversity and inclusivity in our work environment. Here's how we do it: Recognised as a Disability Confident Employer by the UK Government and Founding Partner of Purple Tuesday. Our recruitment practices are inclusive and barrier-free, with adjustments available during the application process and throughout your career with us. We believe in adding to our culture, not just fitting in. Our diverse team combines unique talents to create products that reflect the diversity of our users and customers. Rewards and Benefits Discover a world of rewards and benefits tailored to your wellbeing at Smartbox. Beyond a competitive salary and private medical insurance, explore perks like a hybrid working model, wellness benefits, and paid volunteering days. Dive into our website to uncover all the fantastic benefits waiting for you at Smartbox. Ready to Make a Difference Join us at Smartbox and embark on a fulfilling career where your work truly matters. Click the link where you will be redirected to our Careers site where you can make your application. Agencies Please respect that at this current time, we wish to try and recruit directly from the market rather than engage support from an agency.
Join us at Smartbox as an Engineering Manager! Are you a passionate Engineering Manager looking to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual like you to join our team and contribute to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Your Impact As our Engineering Manager, you will: Technical Planning & Delivery: Oversee day-to-day engineering task planning and execution across firmware, electronics, mechanical, and QA/test. Work cross-functionally with Product Managers and Designers to align technical planning with product goals, ensuring engineering output consistently meets expectations for quality, cost, and time. Support Engineers in making architectural decisions that are robust, scalable, and support long-term maintainability. Support Engineers in making informed platform decisions, balancing innovation, reliability, cost, and compliance. Make resourcing and delivery risks visible early at a leadership level. Provide oversight and guidance on our component technology roadmap, aligning technical direction with product strategy. Process, Quality & Compliance: Develop and uphold product realisation processes to comply with ISO 13485, including documentation, review, IOVV, and transfer. Take ownership for the engineering team s compliance with ISO 14971, IEC (phone number removed) and other related standards necessary for ensuring essential safety and performance. Ensure CAPA is executed with speed, precision, and clear, consistent communication that promotes trust, collaboration and resolution. QA/Test Oversight: Oversee hardware testing, including test planning, traceability, verification, and formal reporting. Manage the shared engineering lab space, ensuring it is safe, well-equipped, and well-used. Develop World-class Engineers: Provide regular 1:1s, feedback, coaching, and career development support. Help Engineers set meaningful goals and hold them accountable. Support onboarding and mentoring of new team members. Essential Qualifications/Skills/Experience: A passion for improving lives through assistive technology. Bachelor s degree in a relevant engineering discipline. 3+ years experience leading teams to deliver innovative products in a highly regulated industry. Strong interpersonal and communication skills able to listen, mediate, motivate, and build consensus across diverse technical teams. A hands-on, people-first approach, with a genuine interest in helping others grow and succeed. Deep understanding of electronic embedded systems. Deep understanding of engineering best practices, including structured design reviews, traceability, risk-based validation, and root cause analysis with a focus on building safe, scalable, high-quality products. Proven ability to balance speed and quality, helping teams stay focused and aligned without micromanaging. Strong working knowledge of UK MDR, EU MDR, and FDA 21 CFR Part 820 regulations for medical devices. Strong working knowledge of ISO 13485 (quality management), ISO 14971 (risk management), and IEC 60601 series (electrical safety). About Smartbox At Smartbox, we're proud to be at the forefront of assistive communication technology. Our innovative products are used globally by individuals with diverse needs. Our values - passionate, caring, empowering, achieving together, and enabling change - resonate in everything we do. Our Inclusive Culture We believe in giving everyone a voice. Joining Smartbox means joining a diverse team that values collaboration and supports a community that relies on our technology for effective communication. Our Commitment to Sustainability At Smartbox, we not only innovate but also prioritise sustainability. We aim to minimise our carbon footprint and promote a greener world through sustainable solutions. By joining us, you'll contribute to shaping a more inclusive society while actively supporting our sustainability efforts. Our D&I Commitments At Smartbox, we prioritise diversity and inclusivity in our work environment. Here's how we do it: Recognised as a Disability Confident Employer by the UK Government and Founding Partner of Purple Tuesday. Our recruitment practices are inclusive and barrier-free, with adjustments available during the application process and throughout your career with us. We believe in adding to our culture, not just fitting in. Our diverse team combines unique talents to create products that reflect the diversity of our users and customers. Rewards and Benefits Discover a world of rewards and benefits tailored to your wellbeing at Smartbox. Beyond a competitive salary and private medical insurance, explore perks like a hybrid working model, wellness benefits, and paid volunteering days. Dive into our website to uncover all the fantastic benefits waiting for you at Smartbox. Ready to Make a Difference Join us at Smartbox and embark on a fulfilling career where your work truly matters. Click the link where you will be redirected to our Careers site where you can make your application. Agencies Please respect that at this current time, we wish to try and recruit directly from the market rather than engage support from an agency.
