Lead Robotics Research Firmware Engineer

About us.

Our robotics platform team is based in a dedicated robotics facility in Hullavington UK - near Chippenham / Bristol / Bath. We work in tight multi-disciplinary groups and push new technologies from academia and research into cutting edge features for consumer products. We are expanding our projects and technology interests. Join our ambitious and growing research team, to develop advanced robotics platforms for household environment in a highly collaborative mindset.

About the role.

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Firmware Engineer with a strong focus on collaborative working and rapid prototyping. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, and debugging real-time control firmware for our next-generation products. In this role you will work closely with control engineers to architect firmware and electronics engineers to implement it.

Typical role responsibilities include: 

• Designing, implementing and debugging firmware for embedded devices and systems to interface with various sensors, motors and other hardware components of the robotic system. 
• Quickly iterating firmware designs and implementations to create functional prototypes of robotic systems for proof-of-concept testing and validation.
• Designing the firmware architecture and algorithms to control the robotic system efficiently and reliably.
• Integrating and calibrating sensors such as encoder, 6-axis force sensor, IMU and others to gather data for robotic perception and navigation.
• Designing firmware with real-time constraints to ensure timely response and control of robotic movements and interactions.
• Exploring off-the-shelf sensors and PCBs to ensure compatibility and performance.
• Architecting a robust code base that guarantees reusability across different prototypes iterations.
• Translating control algorithms into software implementation and integrating them into firmware. 
• Collaborating with hardware engineers, software engineers, and roboticists to integrate firmware with hardware and higher-level software systems.
• Staying updated with the latest technologies, tools, and best practices in firmware development and robotics to improve the efficiency and capabilities of the robotic system.
• Developing test tools to ensure reliable operation.
   

About you.

Besides being someone passionate about their craft and holding a desire to innovate and play a role in creating future products under the Dyson banner. You will have skills across the following:

• Master's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years of embedded software experience.
• Expert in C and experience with C++.
• Strong knowledge of reading schematics and data sheets for components.
• Hands-on expertise in electronics and hardware.
• Strong fundamental of electric motors and drive systems.
• Strong experience of communication protocols (such as SPI, I2C, CAN, UART).
• Experience with Python or other scripting languages.
• Experience with rapid prototyping and hardware testing.
• Experience in sensors (e.g. encoder, torque and force sensing, IMU, LIDAR, etc.) and digital signal processing.
• Familiarity with software configuration management tools, defect tracking tools, and peer review.
• Knowledge of RTOS.
• Proficiency in using Git and continuous integration tools. 
• Strong documentation and writing skills.

Desirable skills:

• Relevant embedded software development experience in robotics is a plus.
• Familiarity with field-oriented motor control algorithms and experience implementing it on an embedded system.
• Experience using EtherCAT.
   

Benefits, lifestyle and well-being:

Financial: 

• Performance related bonus 
• Company paid Life Insurance 
• Discounts on Dyson machines 
• Competitive pension scheme 
• Flexible benefits programme with a growing range of voluntary benefits, including the ability to purchase additional holidays 

Lifestyle: 

• 27 days holiday plus statutory bank holidays 
• Free lunch 
• On-site gym & classes
• Well-being & lifestyle benefits 

Health: 

• Private Medical insurance for all employees 
• Employee Assistance Program for employee and dependents 
• Digital GP and prescription service 

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Dyson is an equal opportunity employer. We know that great minds don’t think alike, and it takes all kinds of minds to make our technology so unique. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and employment decisions are made without regard to race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other any other dimension of diversity.