Lead Embedded Software Engineer

Lead Embedded Software & Controls Engineer

Location: Birmingham

On-site (5 days), negotiable for the right candidate

This is a build-it-from-scratch role. Our client makes thermal management systems for electric, hydrogen, hybrid and conventional commercial vehicles, and they're in the middle of a genuinely ambitious rebuild: a universal model-based thermal platform, modular software architecture, common controller platforms across the range. You'd be one of the people defining how that platform actually works, not maintaining someone else's legacy code.

The role

You'll lead the model-based control strategy for HVAC, battery thermal management, powertrain cooling and integrated vehicle thermal systems, all in MATLAB/Simulink, then take it through to embedded C/C++. Think compressor control, EXV control, superheat and subcooling strategies, energy optimisation. You'll be running MIL/SIL/HIL, correlating your models against real vehicle data, and shaping the software architecture standards the rest of the team works to. You'll also be the technical authority in the room and mentor to the junior controls and modelling engineers coming up behind you.

What you'll actually be doing

• Building the models and control strategies that define how the next-gen thermal platform behaves
• Designing and optimising compressor, EXV, superheat, subcooling and energy strategies
• Taking control designs from Simulink through to embedded C/C++
• Running MIL/SIL/HIL validation and correlating simulations against real CAN and field data
• Setting the software architecture standards other engineers will build on
• Mentoring junior engineers and acting as technical authority for model-based development

What they need from you

• Degree in Control, Electronics, Mechatronics, Automotive or Mechanical Engineering (or similar)
• 5+ years in controls development, MATLAB/Simulink and model-based design
• Strong working knowledge of embedded C/C++, CAN/J1939, Git, thermal systems
• Automotive controls and product development lifecycle experience