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.