Join to apply for the R&D Placement Embedded Systems Engineer role at To the Nines Publishing.
Join us in the Steel City, the manufacturing heartland of the UK and the birthplace of Ossila. At Ossila Sheffield, you’ll share ideas, pool resources, and gain new perspectives to better understand complex problems, find solutions, and create with likeminded innovative thinkers. The most significant scientific breakthroughs of the last century were only made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of diverse and agile teams, and this has also been the key to our success over the last decade and a half. Having been founded by academics at the University of Sheffield, collaboration is an ingrained part of our culture.
Now based in a former steelworks in Attercliffe, our unique space is home to our main office, manufacturing floor, distribution centre, and fully equipped chemical laboratory. This is the perfect place for us to continue our rapid expansion as an international company; we are proud to represent the tradition of innovation and invention that makes Sheffield the culturally, professionally, and environmentally rich city that it is.
Apply today to join the core of everything we do.
R&D Placement: Embedded Systems Engineer
Salary: £19/hour
Hours: Flexible hours to fit around academic commitments (typically 8 hrs/week during term time, and 30 hrs/week outside of term time)
Location: Windsor St, Sheffield (part-time, on-site working essential)
Application Deadline: 15/12/2025
Start Date: As soon as possible
About The Role
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD or master's engineering student to join our R&D team in researching new technologies for future products based on embedded systems, including modern microcontrollers and FPGAs.
At Ossila, our R&D team has significant expertise in the applications of the products we develop and the fundamentals of engineering and control systems. We manufacture a wide range of scientific equipment in Sheffield, including thin‑film coating equipment and opto‑electrical testing systems using microcontrollers. We are actively branching out into FPGA ecosystems to enhance the capabilities of new products and develop high‑speed data acquisition systems.
Responsibilities
* Designing and implementing firmware for various microcontroller and/or FPGA platforms (e.g., Raspberry Pi Pico, STM32, Lattice) to control precision scientific instruments.
* Contributing to the setup of a toolchain and ecosystem for FPGA development and creating Hardware Description Language (HDL) applications related to high-speed data digitisation, digital signal processing, and low-latency control.
* Contributing to the design, validation, and verification of custom PCBs and analogue/digital circuits built around microcontrollers and FPGAs to prototype new products.
* Developing structured tests and documentation to rigorously validate and verify that the embedded system meets the product requirements.
* Optimising prototype designs by pairing off-the-shelf components with custom, precision manufactured parts.
* Producing and iterating on product prototypes rapidly.
* Working with application scientists and engineers who will guide your research and help assess the performance of prototypes.
This position is part‑time and focused solely on a single project. It is ideally suited for somebody currently pursuing a PhD or masters degree in engineering, offering high-value, ownership-driven commercial experience that fits around your research schedule.
As part of a small and fast-growing company, you will work both collaboratively and independently. When required, you will work under your own initiative and take responsibility to solve problems.
About You
* Enthusiasm and a proactive approach to taking ownership of a technical sub-system and iterating on its design.
* You hold or are pursuing a PhD or masters in electronic engineering, computer engineering, robotics, computational physics or a similar degree.
* Demonstrable experience in one of the following domains:
o Hands‑on experience with C/C++ for embedded system development (e.g. bare‑metal or RTOS) in academic projects, personal projects, or previous roles.
o Hands‑on experience with HDL programming (Verilog, SystemVerilog or VHDL) gained through academic projects, coursework, or personal development.
* Foundational understanding of digital electronics engineering and circuit design principles.
* Experience in the assembly, testing, and debugging of prototype devices, demonstrating a methodical approach to problem-solving.
* A proactive, problem‑solving mindset and the resourcefulness to research and test solutions independently, supported by our experienced R&D team.
* You enjoy being part of a team and fostering a collaborative environment.
* You are keen to continue your personal learning and development.
Your Skills And Experience May Also Include
* Experience with specific microcontroller platforms (e.g. Raspberry Pi, STM32, SAMD).
* Knowledge of open-source FPGA ecosystems (e.g., SymbiFlow, Yosys).
* Experience in the full lifecycle of development, including version control.
* Design of electrical and mechanical systems and use of CAD software.
Why Work with Us?
* Genuine flexibility where academic progression is prioritised
* A potential path to full-time employment as an R&D Engineer upon successful completion of your studies
* A long-running, discretionary profit share scheme
* Regular tea and cake Tuesdays where we catch up with each other
* Free on-site parking with marked bays
* Secure bike storage and shower facilities
* Open-plan collaborative office/lab spaces
About Us
Ossila is a small but high‑growth business which manufactures and supplies scientific equipment, materials, and laboratory supplies to institutions around the world. Our aim is to help accelerate the pace of scientific discovery. We are looking to continue our rapid expansion with a view to building a world‑class company of significant size and stature over the next five years. Formed by academics from the University of Sheffield, we now employ over 50 people across our offices in the UK and the Netherlands.
We pride ourselves on our high‑quality products, excellent customer support, and accessible prices. Our customers can be found in over 100 countries (approximately 85% of our sales are exported) and include many of the worlds leading research institutions. We have won both the Institute of Physics award for innovation and the Kings Award for export.
How To Apply
To apply, email us at with a personalised covering letter. No agencies please.
#J-18808-Ljbffr