Embedded Software & Security Consultant Contract Contract Location Bournemouth

About the Role
We are working with an established engineering organisation that is seeking an experienced Embedded Software & Security Consultant to support a significant embedded systems development and modernisation programme.
This is a hands-on technical role involving embedded firmware development, embedded security, hardware/software integration, debugging and development tooling.
The successful consultant will work closely with an experienced engineering team to investigate and improve an established embedded platform, address technical and security requirements, and contribute to ongoing platform and software development activities.
Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and troubleshoot embedded C/C++ firmware.
• Work with ARM-based microcontrollers and low-level hardware interfaces.
• Develop and maintain RTOS and bare-metal software.
• Work with interrupts, concurrency and timing-critical embedded applications.
• Support implementation of embedded security controls.
• Work with cryptographic functionality, key management and secure configuration.
• Investigate and resolve complex firmware and hardware/software integration issues.
• Undertake on-target debugging using JTAG, SWD and appropriate instrumentation.
• Work with embedded build systems and cross-compilation toolchains.
• Support development and improvement of embedded development and release processes.
• Contribute to platform modernisation and migration activities.
• Support secure firmware development, including areas such as secure boot and firmware signing.
• Work collaboratively with engineering teams to identify technical risks, dependencies and practical solutions.
• Produce clear technical documentation where required.

Essential Skills & Experience We are looking for candidates with strong practical experience in:

• Embedded C/C++ development
• ARM-based microcontrollers
• RTOS and/or bare-metal development
• Low-level peripheral configuration
• Interrupts, concurrency and timing-critical systems
• Embedded security fundamentals
• Cryptography and key management
• Secure configuration/storage
• JTAG and/or SWD debugging
• ARM-based cross-compilation toolchains
• Embedded build systems
• Hardware/software integration
• Firmware troubleshooting and fault investigation

Desirable Experience Experience in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous:

• Renesas or other ARM MCU platforms
• Embedded platform migration or modernisation
• Secure boot and firmware signing
• Authenticated command interfaces
• Embedded CI/CD
• Automated production builds and release processes
• Host-side configuration or engineering tools
• Hardware safety features such as watchdogs and memory protection
• Security-sensitive, safety-critical or regulated products
• Working within established engineering/product development environments

About You
You will be a technically strong embedded engineer who is comfortable working close to the hardware and taking ownership of technically complex problems.
You should be able to work independently, investigate unfamiliar code and systems, identify root causes and develop practical solutions.
Strong communication and analytical skills are important, as you will be working closely with engineering and technical stakeholders throughout the engagement.
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to join a technically challenging embedded systems modernisation programme within an established engineering environment.
The successful consultant will have the opportunity to contribute across:

• Embedded firmware
• Embedded security
• Hardware/software integration
• Platform modernisation
• Development tooling
• Debugging and technical investigation
• Build and release processes

Apply If you have strong experience in embedded C/C++, ARM microcontrollers, RTOS/bare-metal development and embedded security, we would be interested in hearing from you.
Please submit your CV highlighting relevant embedded systems experience and examples of technically complex projects you have worked on.
Please note: This is a confidential client assignment. Further information regarding the end client and specific product environment will be provided to shortlisted candidates as appropriate. Also this opportunity does not provide sponsorship.