Senior Embedded Firmware Architect / Lead Embedded Engineer, Sowerby Bridge

Zikodrive is a growing UK engineering company specialising in advanced motor control solutions. We design and manufacture embedded motor controllers for a diverse range of applications across industrial, scientific, and commercial markets. We supply motor controllers for a wide range of applications to companies in the US, Europe and UK and have also received significant R&D funding via Innovate UK, including for work with universities. It is anticipated that a KTP project will start in 2026.

We are now strengthening our core embedded capability and seeking an experienced, hands-on Senior Embedded Firmware Architect / Lead Embedded Engineer to assist with consolidation of existing firmware and lead the development of our next-generation firmware platform.

This is a high-impact role with significant ownership: you will define architecture, establish standards, mentor engineers, and introduce the structure needed to support a scalable and modern product range. If you enjoy designing clean firmware frameworks, improving reliability, and elevating team capability, this is an opportunity to make a major difference.

Your role will be central in the engineering department, working closely with Engineering Manager and the team to ensure high quality, robust and reliable code is implemented.

We are proud to be a small electronics design engineering and manufacturing company who ships its products all over the world. Based in Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, we are surrounded by peaceful and tranquil countryside making this a picturesque place for staff to work.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and implement a robust, modular application-level firmware platform for all future Zikodrive products.
• Lead firmware development across multiple embedded motor control projects.
• Introduce and maintain coding standards, development structure, and review processes.
• Where deemed necessary, refactor and modernise existing application-level codebases where required.
• Collaborate closely with hardware engineers and the Engineering Manager to define requirements, performance targets, and validation strategy for a wide range of custom design and/or internal R&D projects.
• Design clean, well-documented interfaces, APIs, and communication protocols suitable for integration with future PC or GUI-based software tools.
• Provide mentoring, guidance, and technical leadership to existing firmware staff.
• Contribute to planning, risk management, and long-term firmware roadmap development.
• Please note this is an on-site job. Our post code is HX7 5RU.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong experience in embedded C development for real-time systems.
• Proven track record working with dsPIC and/or STM32 microcontrollers.
• Strong debugging skills and structured, methodical problem-solving ability.
• Experience introducing development processes (code reviews, version control discipline, interface documentation, etc.).
• Knowledge of range of tools for improving code quality (static analysis, AI based tools, others…)
• Comfortable working with motor control concepts, power electronics, or similar high-performance embedded domains.
• Ability to consider system-level design, including the needs of future software interfaces and tools.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to provide technical leadership.
• Familiarity with MISRA C or safety-oriented embedded practices.
• Experience improving or replacing legacy codebases.
• Able to communicate clearly and fairly with customers, other staff members of differing experience and responsibilities and any other relevant stakeholders.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with motor control algorithms or FOC-based systems.
• Prior leadership or mentoring experience.
• Understanding of creating API definitions, serial protocols, or PC-side data models.
• Experience improving or replacing legacy codebases.

What We Offer

• A beautiful location to work in the Calder Valley.
• An Investors in People accredited company who care about their staff.
• An open and friendly but conscientious management team who lead by example.
• The opportunity to shape the entire firmware platform for a growing engineering business.
• High visibility and ownership — your work directly influences product capability and customer experience.
• A supportive, collaborative team looking for the technical leadership and structure you will bring.
• Real technical variety across different motor technologies and embedded platforms.

Why This Role Matters

Zikodrive is expanding, and we are committed to delivering consistent, high-quality, competitive motor controller technology. This role is central to that goal. The right person will help establish the foundation for a scalable, reliable, well-architected firmware platform and strengthen our long-term capability as a company.

If you are an experienced embedded professional looking for an exciting opportunity to have a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £65,000.00-£75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• On-site parking
• Transport links

Work Location: In person