Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Zaptec is a consumer IoT company with more than 750,000 chargers installed across Europe. Our chargers are physical, internet-connected products that receive automatic over-the-air updates, so the software has to keep working long after it leaves the development environment and reaches customers' homes.

At this scale, the most interesting problems rarely stay within one layer. They run through hardware, embedded software, cloud communication, production and devices already operating in the field.

As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer, you'll take ownership of complex technical problems across these boundaries. You'll make trade-offs explicit, help shape designs and technical direction, review code and designs, and improve how we build and maintain our products. You'll also support the development of other engineers by sharing context, challenging assumptions and helping the team make sound technical decisions.

Our embedded software teams work on two charger platforms. Engineers generally join one device team and work primarily with that team's platform:

• Zaptec Go uses FreeRTOS/ESP32 and a C application running on the RTOS.
• Zaptec Pro uses Linux/Yocto, including device trees, drivers and network interfaces, together with a C# application running on the embedded Linux platform.

Some of the things you'll spend time on:

• Develop and evolve embedded applications for Zaptec Go or Zaptec Pro, with a focus on long-term quality, reliability and maintainability.
• Write bare-metal C for microcontrollers that perform timing-sensitive tasks in our EV chargers.
• Advance our Yocto-based Linux development through device trees, drivers and network interfaces.
• Design and evolve communication between our chargers and Azure services as we introduce new device features.
• Investigate complex issues across device software, hardware and cloud, including problems affecting chargers already in the field.
• Make architectural and technical trade-offs, and turn ambiguous challenges into clear, workable solutions.
• Review code and designs, strengthen engineering practices and help other engineers grow.
• Collaborate across embedded software, hardware, cloud, app and production to deliver complete solutions to the market.

Is this you?

You are an experienced engineer who enjoys solving difficult technical problems where the answer is not immediately obvious. You are comfortable navigating unfamiliar parts of a system, identifying what matters and moving the work forward without needing the problem to be fully defined for you.

You combine hands-on development with sound technical judgement. You don't need to be the expert in every technology we use, but you understand how decisions in one part of a connected product can affect the rest of the system.

Some personal skills we value

• You bring structure and direction to complex or ambiguous technical problems.
• You take ownership and follow issues through across team and system boundaries.
• You communicate technical trade-offs clearly and invite constructive discussion.
• You share knowledge generously and help colleagues develop without needing formal leadership responsibility.
• You balance pragmatism with a strong focus on quality, reliability and maintainability.
• You enjoy collaborating across disciplines and respect the expertise others bring.

As for the skills required for this job

• Strong experience developing embedded software in C or C++.
• Experience building software that interacts closely with hardware.
• Experience with communication protocols and peripheral integration.
• The ability to independently investigate and solve complex system-level problems.
• Experience contributing to technical design, architecture or important engineering decisions.
• Familiarity with Bluetooth Low Energy, sockets, HTTP, MQTT, Linux, Yocto, FreeRTOS or cloud-connected devices is useful, but expertise in every area is not required.

Not sure this role fits you the best?

We’re hiring Embedded Software Engineers at different experience levels. Both roles work with the same products and technologies, the difference is mainly the level of experience, independence and complexity you are expected to navigate from the start.

If you feel you sit somewhere between the two descriptions, apply to the role that feels closest. We’ll explore the right level together during the process.

Perks & benefits

• We trust you do your job, flex your own day
• We'll provide the hardware you need
• Career growth & competence development
• Pick your favourite Zaptec gear - it’s on us.
• We got your back in regards to insurance and pensions
• Take part in our yearly bonus scheme
• Don't forget social events