Location: Bristol
Team: Applications Software
Reporting to: Director, Software Applications
The role
Based in our Bristol office, this role is part of the software team and plays a pivotal role in developing XMOS’s embedded platform software and reference designs. The successful candidate will develop and maintain embedded software running on our XCORE processor, including:
- Library modules (e.g., Ethernet, USB, DSP)
- Reference designs (e.g., USB Audio, Voice, Vision)
- Test infrastructure for all embedded software
Library modules form the foundation of XMOS’s embedded software offerings and underpin designs developed both in-house and by our customers. As such, validation and regression testing against specifications and external standards is highly valued.
The XCORE architecture provides a uniquely predictable execution model, enabling low-latency, reactive, and highly efficient software design. This architecture also facilitates short turnaround times in software development.
Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities will depend on the candidate’s experience and expertise, but may include:
- Developing and maintaining library modules, reference designs, and test infrastructure
- Updating software to support our latest RISC-V-based architecture
- Enhancing test frameworks to ensure high test coverage with minimal power consumption
- Implementing new features based on requirements from internal teams (Sales, Marketing, Technology)
- Developing new libraries, application notes, and reference designs
Some engineers may take ownership of specific library modules, reference designs, or test infrastructure based on experience.
The ideal candidate
The role is suited to a software engineer or electronics engineer with experience in embedded systems programming. The ideal candidate will have an interest in designing software for resource-constrained systems—optimizing for memory, processing power, and energy consumption rather than assuming unlimited computing resources.
We welcome applications from both experienced embedded software engineers and those with less experience but strong evidence of aptitude (e.g., hobby projects, university work).
Key skills and qualifications
Required:
- Excellent programming skills
- An affinity to target systems with limited resources
- Knowledge of C
- Knowledge of Python and software maintenance tools (e.g., Git)
- Proven ability to work as part of a team
Preferred:
- Strong proficiency in C programming
- Keen interest in low-level system design
- Understanding of low-level hardware interfaces (e.g., SPI, UART, I²C)
- Strong understanding of testing methodologies for embedded software
- Basic understanding of electronics and processor architectures
- Exposure to assembly language on any processor architecture
- Good working knowledge of Git
- Good working knowledge of Python
- Exposure to digital signal processing (e.g., convolution, Fourier transforms)
At XMOS, we believe that diverse experiences and perspectives drive innovation and success. We know that no one checks every box, and we don’t expect you to. If you’re excited about this role, passionate about what you do, and eager to learn, we want to hear from you—even if you don’t meet every qualification. Your unique background, skills, and potential to grow are just as important as ticking every box. If you believe you could make a valuable contribution to our team, we encourage you to apply.
About XMOS
As a global business and certified Great Place to Work, we are backed by some of the best names in high tech venture capital.
XMOS is a leader in cycle-accurate software programmability. Our customers blend control, DSP, AI, and low-latency I/O processing to rapidly solve a wide variety of problems in millions of products within the consumer, industrial, and automotive sectors.
Our unique silicon architecture and highly differentiated software delivers class-leading far-field voice capture, and we’re building for a more natural human-machine interface tomorrow.
As a deep tech company, we’re always looking for questioning, flexible and determined people to help make that happen. Ours is a learning environment, which means we hire for capability and potential – and help you to achieve your best.