Senior Firmware Engineer - Randstad

Overview

Senior Firmware Engineer — AI & Robotics

Location: London, UK

Role: Senior Firmware Engineer (Permanent Opportunity)

Industry: AI & Robotics | Humanoid Robotics | Automation

A pioneering UK-based AI and robotics company is building the world’s most advanced, commercially scalable and safety-focused humanoid robots. Their first platform is a next-generation labour automation unit designed to operate across industrial, construction and logistics environments — tackling global labour shortages while improving human safety and wellbeing.

This is an opportunity to work at the cutting edge of robotics, embedded systems and real-time control, helping shape the future of human-machine collaboration.

As a Senior Firmware Engineer within the Core Platform team in London, you’ll play a critical role in building the low-level firmware that powers next-generation humanoid robots. You’ll work at the intersection of robotics, embedded systems and real-time control — developing the software that enables advanced motion, balance and interaction with complex real-world environments.

You’ll collaborate closely with hardware, robotics and systems teams to integrate microcontrollers, sensors and actuators while designing robust, high-performance real-time firmware.

• Develop and debug firmware for humanoid robots, focusing on:
• Motion control & stabilisation
• Sensor integration
• Ethernet-based communication
• Design and implement drivers for motors, sensors and communication protocols
• Integrate microcontrollers and peripherals with hardware teams
• Optimise firmware for performance, reliability and power efficiency
• Build real-time control algorithms for robotic movement and balance
• Lead and mentor junior engineers, conducting code reviews and promoting best practices
• Implement security and fail-safe mechanisms in embedded systems
• Maintain technical documentation and manage version control

• 6+ years’ experience in embedded systems development (robotics preferred)
• Strong C/C++ skills for microcontrollers
• Experience with RTOS (FreeRTOS, Zephyr) and bare-metal systems
• Hands-on experience with ARM Cortex, STM
  32 or similar platforms
• Strong understanding of:
• Control systems
• Kinematics
• Motion algorithms
• Experience with UART, SPI, I2C, CAN and Ethernet
• Confident using oscilloscopes and logic analysers
• Experience with Git, CI/CD and Agile development
• Bonus: ROS / ROS2, ML or computer vision
• Bonus:
  Interest in Rust for embedded systems

• Competitive salary + stock options
• If you need to relocate, the Client can help assist with this
• Generous paid holiday (aligned with local labour laws)
• Travel opportunities to North America
• Free breakfasts, lunches and snacks
• Regular team events & socials
• Real ownership of core product initiatives
• Work alongside world-class engineers and robotics researchers
• Fast-moving startup culture with minimal bureaucracy

If you are interested - please apply directly!