Senior Embedded Software Engineer

ROLE:
Senior Embedded Software Engineer
TEAM:
Engineering - Hardware
PRIMARY LOCATION:
Office-Based - Portishead
REPORTING TO:
Principal Hardware & Hardware Solutions Lead
ABOUT VIPER:
Viper Innovations Ltd provide innovative high-end engineering products and service solutions for the Global Subsea Oil & Gas and UK Rail Industries. With our passion for product and service development, this is an exciting time to join us, and working within a dedicated and dynamic customer focused team, you will be encouraged and rewarded for your contribution to the future success of the company.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
• Lead the Embedded Software Team.
• Undertake software architecture, definition, design and development, review and approval, testing and modification of embedded software products in support of the Company's research and development activities and commercial deliveries.
• Sustain the Viper standard of design excellence and innovation.
• Produce technical documentation in accordance with company procedures. Guide best practices in technical documentation for the team.
• Coordinate, plan and manage work activities to be undertaken by self and/or others. Provide support and mentoring to less experienced engineers.
• Serve as a symbol for technical and leadership career progression.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Specific Responsibilities of the Role
1.1. Define, develop, and code software products and solutions to internal and external requirements.
1.2. Evaluate current and new software technologies as well as their potential benefits and use case applications through research and testing.
1.3. Software design, development, maintenance, debugging and testing of ARM microprocessors and STM32 microcontrollers.
1.4. Work with the team to develop embedded architectures for new products.
1.5. Hands-on development in C, C++, and Python.
1.6. Extensive usage and understanding of microcontroller peripherals for data acquisition and control, for example: USB, I2C, SPI, UART, DMA, I2S, ADC, and DAC.
1.7. Embedded application development for high reliability and high availability systems.
1.8. Extensive usage and understanding of firmware application development for communication interfaces, including Ethernet, RS485, RS232, CAN, and LCD.
1.9. Understanding and usage of communication protocols, including TCP/IP, Modbus RTU / TCP, and CANBus.
1.10. Understanding and usage of IoT communication protocols, including MQTT.
1.11. Software verification and validation - Code review, unit testing, functional testing.
1.12. Plan and define requirements for multi-disciplinary products working with other internal engineering, business and / or external stakeholders.
1.13. Generate software / sub-system design documentation in accordance with company procedures, including (but not limited to) software requirements specifications, UML diagrams, development plans, test procedures, release notes, operating manuals and any other documentation required for deliverables.
1.14. Define software / system testing, evaluation philosophies, and modification plans to be undertaken by self and others.
1.15. Lead, drive and disseminate software development good practice amongst peers and team.
1.16. Act as design authority for company software products and solutions.
1.17. Act as a point of contact for all embedded software engineering related issues and queries.
1.18. Provide technical oversight to internal development teams and external contractors.
1.19. Generate and agree specifications, costs, timelines and resources with internal and external stakeholders.
1.20. Provide verbal and written progress reports to all levels of management within the business.
1.21. Facilitate quotes and technical marketing material and engage with customers as and when required.
1.22. Support the preparation and filing of patent disclosures / applications by identifying novel technology and writing the initial idea descriptions.
1.23. Maintain current knowledge of competitive technologies as related to company products, systems, and solutions.
1.24. Work within a cross-functional team to co-ordinate the transfer of new products/systems into commercial solutions.
1.25. Write conference papers and magazine articles and prepare presentation material.
2. Leadership and Management
2.1. Support and collaborate constructively with the directors, OMB, members of the management team and others within the business as required to ensure the delivery of the strategic goals.
2.2. Demonstrate strategic thinking and leadership to the wider business, considering cross-business impacts and proactively seek/develop appropriate mitigations.
2.3. Be a high performing member of the Company.
2.4. Shape how the performance of the team can contribute to ensure the delivery of the business goals.
2.5. Provide mentoring and coaching of personnel and assist with identifying requirements for skills development.
2.6. Build, develop, lead and manage the team and its functions/offerings to ensure we maintain resilience in achieving deliveries which are consistently delivered within defined budgets, to the correct quality and in a timely manner.
2.7. Technically Lead and mentor Embedded Software Engineers.
2.8. Provide feedback to the Hardware Solutions Lead regarding the performance of the Embedded Software Engineers. Advise regarding performance goals, objectives and opportunities for team members to develop their skills and talent.
2.9. Ensure accurate and complete cascading of messages to all employees in relation to your role and activities.
2.10. Provide support for interviewing and recruitment of staff, as required.
3. QHSE
3.1. Undertake obligations in accordance with Viper's ISO accreditations from time to time, e.g. ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001, ISO27001, as detailed in the Operations Manual. Recognise requirements for Industry Standards as relevant to work scope.
3.2. Adopt a proactive approach to company and client QHSE initiatives and objectives.
3.3. Ensure best practice is followed to achieve maximum levels of safety, quality and efficiency and take recognition of the environment and environmental impacts in all activities and decisions.
3.4. Adopt a continuous improvement approach to work ethic.
4. Teamwork
4.1. Operate in the best interests of Viper at all times and as a member of the team, ensuring:
4.1.1. a 'One Team' ethic within your team and the business as a whole.
4.1.2. a pro-active, positive attitude.
4.1.3. you develop, encourage and promote high performance team working.
4.1.4. that individual and team behaviours demonstrate integrity and high ethics.
4.1.5. you act at all times in accordance with the Company's vision, mission, values and behaviours statements.
5. Self
5.1. At all times, manage and lead yourself to ensure the delivery of your role and all aspects thereof to the highest standard.
5.2. Be responsible for developing and maintaining your own learning and development plan for continuous skills growth in all relevant areas, not just in relation to your area within the business.
5.3. Display exceptional organisational and communication skills.
5.4. Be a proactive team player with strong customer service and problem-solving skills.
5.5. Ability to maintain confidentiality and act with discretion and diplomacy.
5.6. Be self-motivated and able to work under your own autonomy or as part of a team.
6. Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
6.1. Occasional travel to customer/supplier premises and/or other Viper sites may be required in line with business needs.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:
• Hons Degree or equivalent in a suitable discipline and/or proven work experience in line with the skills or knowledge required for the role.
• Experience of team management and development.
• Experience of relevant engineering product lifecycles.
• Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary engineering team and in a development environment.
• Maintenance of existing products.
• Proven capability in technical ownership of product/system definition, evaluation, development, qualification and delivery at an expert level.
• Understanding of relevant software design, coding and quality standards.
• Understanding of hardware and/or software development principles
• Competent with embedded operating systems, preferably Linux / UNIX. Familiarity with RTOS families.
EXPECTED BEHAVIOUR PROFICIENCY LEVELS
• Try new things Level 4
• Get things done Level 4
• Supports 'team first' Level 4
• Think things through Level 4
[Additional information on the Viper Behaviour Proficiency Levels can be found at: viperinnovations.com/behaviours]
This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the above role and the general nature and level of work performed by the role holder. However, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.