Senior Electronics Engineer Bristol (Hybrid, minimum 3 days in the office) Full-time (37.5 hours per week) Join us in making sure no one is left without a voice At Smartbox, our assistive technology empowers people with disabilities who experience speech difficulties to express themselves, connect with others, and live more independent lives. We're proud to be a global leader in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), supporting people across the UK, US, Europe, and beyond. But what truly sets us apart is our people: passionate, collaborative, and driven by the impact our products have every day. If you're motivated by meaningful work and want to apply your technical expertise to something that genuinely changes lives, we'd love to hear from you. The opportunity You will join a collaborative and high-performing hardware team, working together to deliver meaningful outcomes. We value shared goals, thoughtful problem-solving, and creating technology that makes a real difference. Based in the heart of Bristol city centre, just off Park Street, our location connects us to a well-established and growing technology community. You will lead the electronics design and system architecture of our medical-grade tablet computers, taking responsibility for electronic subsystems and overall hardware architecture. In this hands-on leadership role, you will design circuits, select components, build prototypes, and deliver projects, while supporting the team with technical direction and strong engineering practices. What you'll be doing You'll bring technical leadership and practical expertise across the product lifecycle, including: Leading the design, development and delivery of complex electronic systems. Defining system architecture and subsystem strategies across hardware and firmware. Designing circuits, reviewing PCB layouts, and building and testing prototypes. Contributing to firmware development and engineering best practices. Driving verification, validation and regulatory compliance (including medical standards). Collaborating with teams across hardware, production, quality, and repairs. Building strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturing partners. Mentoring and supporting engineers, helping to grow a collaborative and high-performing team. A full list of duties can be found on our website, under the careers tab. Why this role is unique This isn't a typical electronics role; you'll be working at the intersection of: Medical-grade hardware and embedded systems. Assistive technology and accessibility. Highly integrated, multi-disciplinary products. We're solving complex, real-world challenges where reliability, usability and performance truly matter, and where your decisions directly impact people's daily lives. What we're looking for We're looking for a rare combination of deep technical expertise, curiosity, and purpose-driven thinking. Essential experience Strong background in electronics design (analogue, digital, and power). Experience owning or contributing to complex hardware architectures and subsystems. Hands-on expertise in circuit design and PCB development. Embedded firmware experience (C/C++, ideally with RTOS such as Zephyr). Experience working in regulated environments (e.g. medical, safety-critical). Knowledge of EMC, safety standards (e.g. IEC 60601) and engineering risk management. Proven ability to balance technical quality, cost and manufacturability. Strong communication skills: able to explain complex concepts clearly. A collaborative mindset with a passion for mentoring and teamwork. Some areas we often work with include: Assistive technology, AAC or accessibility-focused products. Product strategy, supply chains, and long-term platform thinking. Working closely with manufacturers and external suppliers. Why join Smartbox? Purpose-driven work with real-world impact. Collaborative and supportive culture. Hybrid working and flexibility. Opportunities to grow, lead and shape future products. Strong benefits package + wellbeing support. Dive into our website to uncover all the fantastic benefits waiting for you at Smartbox. Inclusion and sustainability At Smartbox, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. If there's anything we can do to support you during the recruitment process, please let us know within your application. We also aim to build sustainability into everything we do, from how we design our products to how we operate as a business. Ready to make a difference? If you're excited by the idea of combining cutting-edge electronics engineering with real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and help us ensure no one is left without a voice.
Jul 08, 2026
Full time
Senior Electronics Engineer Bristol (Hybrid, minimum 3 days in the office) Full-time (37.5 hours per week) Join us in making sure no one is left without a voice At Smartbox, our assistive technology empowers people with disabilities who experience speech difficulties to express themselves, connect with others, and live more independent lives. We're proud to be a global leader in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), supporting people across the UK, US, Europe, and beyond. But what truly sets us apart is our people: passionate, collaborative, and driven by the impact our products have every day. If you're motivated by meaningful work and want to apply your technical expertise to something that genuinely changes lives, we'd love to hear from you. The opportunity You will join a collaborative and high-performing hardware team, working together to deliver meaningful outcomes. We value shared goals, thoughtful problem-solving, and creating technology that makes a real difference. Based in the heart of Bristol city centre, just off Park Street, our location connects us to a well-established and growing technology community. You will lead the electronics design and system architecture of our medical-grade tablet computers, taking responsibility for electronic subsystems and overall hardware architecture. In this hands-on leadership role, you will design circuits, select components, build prototypes, and deliver projects, while supporting the team with technical direction and strong engineering practices. What you'll be doing You'll bring technical leadership and practical expertise across the product lifecycle, including: Leading the design, development and delivery of complex electronic systems. Defining system architecture and subsystem strategies across hardware and firmware. Designing circuits, reviewing PCB layouts, and building and testing prototypes. Contributing to firmware development and engineering best practices. Driving verification, validation and regulatory compliance (including medical standards). Collaborating with teams across hardware, production, quality, and repairs. Building strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturing partners. Mentoring and supporting engineers, helping to grow a collaborative and high-performing team. A full list of duties can be found on our website, under the careers tab. Why this role is unique This isn't a typical electronics role; you'll be working at the intersection of: Medical-grade hardware and embedded systems. Assistive technology and accessibility. Highly integrated, multi-disciplinary products. We're solving complex, real-world challenges where reliability, usability and performance truly matter, and where your decisions directly impact people's daily lives. What we're looking for We're looking for a rare combination of deep technical expertise, curiosity, and purpose-driven thinking. Essential experience Strong background in electronics design (analogue, digital, and power). Experience owning or contributing to complex hardware architectures and subsystems. Hands-on expertise in circuit design and PCB development. Embedded firmware experience (C/C++, ideally with RTOS such as Zephyr). Experience working in regulated environments (e.g. medical, safety-critical). Knowledge of EMC, safety standards (e.g. IEC 60601) and engineering risk management. Proven ability to balance technical quality, cost and manufacturability. Strong communication skills: able to explain complex concepts clearly. A collaborative mindset with a passion for mentoring and teamwork. Some areas we often work with include: Assistive technology, AAC or accessibility-focused products. Product strategy, supply chains, and long-term platform thinking. Working closely with manufacturers and external suppliers. Why join Smartbox? Purpose-driven work with real-world impact. Collaborative and supportive culture. Hybrid working and flexibility. Opportunities to grow, lead and shape future products. Strong benefits package + wellbeing support. Dive into our website to uncover all the fantastic benefits waiting for you at Smartbox. Inclusion and sustainability At Smartbox, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. If there's anything we can do to support you during the recruitment process, please let us know within your application. We also aim to build sustainability into everything we do, from how we design our products to how we operate as a business. Ready to make a difference? If you're excited by the idea of combining cutting-edge electronics engineering with real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and help us ensure no one is left without a voice.
Join us at Smartbox as an AAC Content Developer! Are you a passionate AAC Content Developer looking to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual like you to join our team and contribute to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Your Impact As our AAC Content Developer, you will: Own and deliver AAC content development projects end-to-end, including planning, design, development, testing and release. Design and develop symbol-based content for communication and learning, with a particular focus on supporting language, literacy and educational participation. Apply a strong understanding of AAC users, communication development, and the needs of communication partners when designing and refining content. Make informed decisions about content structure, vocabulary and accessibility, balancing user needs, evidence and software constraints. Maintain and improve existing content, including updates for new software features, usability improvements and response to feedback. Adapt grid sets to support a wide range of physical, cognitive and visual access needs. Take responsibility for the quality and consistency of content within your work, ensuring it meets our quality standards before release. Identify opportunities to improve existing content and contribute ideas for new content, particularly to support communication and learning. Work closely with Content team colleagues, including Content Assistants and Specialists, to deliver high-quality content. Collaborate with Software, UX, Marketing, Sales, and Training teams to ensure content is effectively implemented and understood. Coordinate and support the localisation of content into multiple languages, ensuring consistency in design principles and user experience. Use feedback, research and data to inform your work and improve content, working with and seeking insights from the UX team. Uphold and actively support Smartbox's Quality Management System (QMS), contributing to continuous quality improvement, regulatory compliance and operational excellence. Maintain high standards of conduct, professionalism, and integrity in all internal and external interactions. Contribute to an inclusive culture that values every individual's contribution and upholds equality and respect. Essential Qualifications / Skills / Experience: Degree or equivalent experience in education, teaching, child development, or language / linguistics. At least 3+ years' experience in the field of AAC and/or relevant fields such as education, speech and language therapy, or assistive technology. A strong, applied understanding of the needs of people who use AAC. Experience supporting the language and literacy development of children who use AAC. Confident and experienced in the use of Grid 3 and/or Grid for iPad. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple pieces of work effectively. Exceptional attention to detail and ability to identify when content does or does not meet our quality standards. A genuine passion for enabling people to be who they are. About Smartbox At Smartbox, we're proud to be at the forefront of assistive communication technology. Our innovative products are used globally by individuals with diverse needs. Our values - passionate, caring, empowering, achieving together, and enabling change - resonate in everything we do. Our Inclusive Culture We believe in giving everyone a voice. Joining Smartbox means joining a diverse team that values collaboration and supports a community that relies on our technology for effective communication. Our Commitment to Sustainability At Smartbox, we not only innovate but also prioritise sustainability. We aim to minimise our carbon footprint and promote a greener world through sustainable solutions. By joining us, you'll contribute to shaping a more inclusive society while actively supporting our sustainability efforts. Our D&I Commitments At Smartbox, we prioritise diversity and inclusivity in our work environment. Here's how we do it: Recognised as a Disability Confident Employer by the UK Government and Founding Partner of Purple Tuesday. Our recruitment practices are inclusive and barrier-free, with adjustments available during the application process and throughout your career with us. We believe in adding to our culture, not just fitting in. Our diverse team combines unique talents to create products that reflect the diversity of our users and customers. Rewards and Benefits Discover a world of rewards and benefits tailored to your wellbeing at Smartbox. Beyond a competitive salary and private medical insurance, explore perks like a hybrid working model, wellness benefits, and paid volunteering days. Ready to Make a Difference Join us at Smartbox and embark on a fulfilling career where your work truly matters. Apply now and be a part of a team dedicated to creating technology that changes lives. Agencies Please respect that at this current time, we wish to try to recruit directly from the market rather than engage support from an agency.
May 19, 2026
Full time
Join us at Smartbox as an AAC Content Developer! Are you a passionate AAC Content Developer looking to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual like you to join our team and contribute to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Your Impact As our AAC Content Developer, you will: Own and deliver AAC content development projects end-to-end, including planning, design, development, testing and release. Design and develop symbol-based content for communication and learning, with a particular focus on supporting language, literacy and educational participation. Apply a strong understanding of AAC users, communication development, and the needs of communication partners when designing and refining content. Make informed decisions about content structure, vocabulary and accessibility, balancing user needs, evidence and software constraints. Maintain and improve existing content, including updates for new software features, usability improvements and response to feedback. Adapt grid sets to support a wide range of physical, cognitive and visual access needs. Take responsibility for the quality and consistency of content within your work, ensuring it meets our quality standards before release. Identify opportunities to improve existing content and contribute ideas for new content, particularly to support communication and learning. Work closely with Content team colleagues, including Content Assistants and Specialists, to deliver high-quality content. Collaborate with Software, UX, Marketing, Sales, and Training teams to ensure content is effectively implemented and understood. Coordinate and support the localisation of content into multiple languages, ensuring consistency in design principles and user experience. Use feedback, research and data to inform your work and improve content, working with and seeking insights from the UX team. Uphold and actively support Smartbox's Quality Management System (QMS), contributing to continuous quality improvement, regulatory compliance and operational excellence. Maintain high standards of conduct, professionalism, and integrity in all internal and external interactions. Contribute to an inclusive culture that values every individual's contribution and upholds equality and respect. Essential Qualifications / Skills / Experience: Degree or equivalent experience in education, teaching, child development, or language / linguistics. At least 3+ years' experience in the field of AAC and/or relevant fields such as education, speech and language therapy, or assistive technology. A strong, applied understanding of the needs of people who use AAC. Experience supporting the language and literacy development of children who use AAC. Confident and experienced in the use of Grid 3 and/or Grid for iPad. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple pieces of work effectively. Exceptional attention to detail and ability to identify when content does or does not meet our quality standards. A genuine passion for enabling people to be who they are. About Smartbox At Smartbox, we're proud to be at the forefront of assistive communication technology. Our innovative products are used globally by individuals with diverse needs. Our values - passionate, caring, empowering, achieving together, and enabling change - resonate in everything we do. Our Inclusive Culture We believe in giving everyone a voice. Joining Smartbox means joining a diverse team that values collaboration and supports a community that relies on our technology for effective communication. Our Commitment to Sustainability At Smartbox, we not only innovate but also prioritise sustainability. We aim to minimise our carbon footprint and promote a greener world through sustainable solutions. By joining us, you'll contribute to shaping a more inclusive society while actively supporting our sustainability efforts. Our D&I Commitments At Smartbox, we prioritise diversity and inclusivity in our work environment. Here's how we do it: Recognised as a Disability Confident Employer by the UK Government and Founding Partner of Purple Tuesday. Our recruitment practices are inclusive and barrier-free, with adjustments available during the application process and throughout your career with us. We believe in adding to our culture, not just fitting in. Our diverse team combines unique talents to create products that reflect the diversity of our users and customers. Rewards and Benefits Discover a world of rewards and benefits tailored to your wellbeing at Smartbox. Beyond a competitive salary and private medical insurance, explore perks like a hybrid working model, wellness benefits, and paid volunteering days. Ready to Make a Difference Join us at Smartbox and embark on a fulfilling career where your work truly matters. Apply now and be a part of a team dedicated to creating technology that changes lives. Agencies Please respect that at this current time, we wish to try to recruit directly from the market rather than engage support from an agency.
Senior Firmware Engineer Location: Bristol; Hybrid Join us at Smartbox as a Senior Firmware Engineer! Are you a passionate Firmware Engineer wanting to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual to help improve the lives of people with disabilities. Your Impact As our Senior Firmware Engineer, you will: Technical Project Delivery: Deliver multi disciplinary projects, meeting scope, time, budget and quality requirements, and coordinating others as needed. Firmware Architecture and Lifecycle: Develop reliable, portable firmware with a long-life cycle. Firmware Development: Design, develop and maintain embedded firmware in C for Zephyr RTOS and Embedded Linux, including board bring up, drivers and HALs. Code Quality and Standards: Set and uphold coding, documentation and review standards, ensuring best practices in architecture, modularity, fault tolerance and testability. Test strategy and Automation: Apply strong automated testing practices following the Test Pyramid, including unit, component, contract and hardware in the loop tests, with CI automation to prevent regressions. Test Software and Tooling: Build and maintain automated test harnesses, GUIs and utility tools (e.g. Python, C#) to support development, validation and manufacturing. Libraries and Developer Experience: Create libraries and demo applications in C compatible languages (C#, C++) to support subsystem validation and cross team integration. Verification and Validation: EAD verification through lab testing, user trials and real world use, ensuring documentation supports regulatory compliance. Quality Assurance: Analyse and resolve quality issues promptly, feeding insights back into designs and processes to drive continuous improvement. Technical Strategy: Contribute to strategy for reliable, mission critical firmware, clearly communicating trade offs and enabling strong decision making. Mentoring and Leadership: Mentor Engineers, provide coaching and support, and help foster a positive, collaborative team culture. Essential Qualifications / Skills / Experience: Degree or equivalent experience in an engineering subject (Electronics, Computer Science, Software), Physics, Mathematics, or another scientific subject. 8+ years of experience in embedded software development in C. A strong knowledge of Computer Science fundamentals in data structures, algorithm design, problem-solving, and complexity analysis. A strong grounding in embedded software architecture, with a focus on maintainability, modularity, fault-tolerance and testability. Confident and experienced with automated testing, including unit, integration and system tests, mocking and automation frameworks. A strong understanding of API design and the creation of clear, stable abstractions for hardware / firmware interaction. Skilled at debugging in constrained environments and using hardware / software debugging tools. A proven track record of innovation and quality software development throughout the entire software product lifecycle. Ability to solve complex technical problems in elegant and maintainable ways, demonstrating systems thinking across hardware, firmware and application layers. Experience with embedded platforms (for example: Embedded Linux, Arduino, STM32, Nordic, Zephyr RTOS). A passion and drive for excellence in software craftsmanship. Linux, Bash / shell, CI (Continuous integration) experience. Ability to read electronics schematics and collaborate effectively with Hardware Engineers during bring-up and debugging. Technical leadership through influence - able to guide architecture and standards, mentor others, and improve team-wide practices. Practical, proactive mindset - comfortable taking initiative and working through ambiguity in a fast-moving team. Proven experience in people or team management, with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop others. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships at all levels. Proven ability to foster high performing, engaged, and collaborative teams. About Smartbox Smartbox is a leader in assistive communication technology, with products used globally by people with diverse needs. Our values, passionate, caring, empowering, achieving together and enabling change, guide everything we do. Our Inclusive Culture We believe in giving everyone a voice. Joining Smartbox means joining a diverse, collaborative team and supporting a community that relies on our technology. Our Commitment to Sustainability We prioritise sustainability, aiming to reduce our environmental impact. By joining us, you'll help support a more inclusive and sustainable future. Our D&I Commitments We are a Disability Confident Employer and a Founding Partner of Purple Tuesday. Our recruitment practices are inclusive and barrier free, with adjustments available throughout the process and your career. We believe in adding to our culture. Our diverse team shapes products that reflect our users. Rewards and Benefits Explore competitive salary, private medical insurance, hybrid working, wellness benefits and paid volunteering days. Agencies Please respect that at this current time, we wish to recruit directly and are not seeking agency support.
May 14, 2026
Full time
Senior Firmware Engineer Location: Bristol; Hybrid Join us at Smartbox as a Senior Firmware Engineer! Are you a passionate Firmware Engineer wanting to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual to help improve the lives of people with disabilities. Your Impact As our Senior Firmware Engineer, you will: Technical Project Delivery: Deliver multi disciplinary projects, meeting scope, time, budget and quality requirements, and coordinating others as needed. Firmware Architecture and Lifecycle: Develop reliable, portable firmware with a long-life cycle. Firmware Development: Design, develop and maintain embedded firmware in C for Zephyr RTOS and Embedded Linux, including board bring up, drivers and HALs. Code Quality and Standards: Set and uphold coding, documentation and review standards, ensuring best practices in architecture, modularity, fault tolerance and testability. Test strategy and Automation: Apply strong automated testing practices following the Test Pyramid, including unit, component, contract and hardware in the loop tests, with CI automation to prevent regressions. Test Software and Tooling: Build and maintain automated test harnesses, GUIs and utility tools (e.g. Python, C#) to support development, validation and manufacturing. Libraries and Developer Experience: Create libraries and demo applications in C compatible languages (C#, C++) to support subsystem validation and cross team integration. Verification and Validation: EAD verification through lab testing, user trials and real world use, ensuring documentation supports regulatory compliance. Quality Assurance: Analyse and resolve quality issues promptly, feeding insights back into designs and processes to drive continuous improvement. Technical Strategy: Contribute to strategy for reliable, mission critical firmware, clearly communicating trade offs and enabling strong decision making. Mentoring and Leadership: Mentor Engineers, provide coaching and support, and help foster a positive, collaborative team culture. Essential Qualifications / Skills / Experience: Degree or equivalent experience in an engineering subject (Electronics, Computer Science, Software), Physics, Mathematics, or another scientific subject. 8+ years of experience in embedded software development in C. A strong knowledge of Computer Science fundamentals in data structures, algorithm design, problem-solving, and complexity analysis. A strong grounding in embedded software architecture, with a focus on maintainability, modularity, fault-tolerance and testability. Confident and experienced with automated testing, including unit, integration and system tests, mocking and automation frameworks. A strong understanding of API design and the creation of clear, stable abstractions for hardware / firmware interaction. Skilled at debugging in constrained environments and using hardware / software debugging tools. A proven track record of innovation and quality software development throughout the entire software product lifecycle. Ability to solve complex technical problems in elegant and maintainable ways, demonstrating systems thinking across hardware, firmware and application layers. Experience with embedded platforms (for example: Embedded Linux, Arduino, STM32, Nordic, Zephyr RTOS). A passion and drive for excellence in software craftsmanship. Linux, Bash / shell, CI (Continuous integration) experience. Ability to read electronics schematics and collaborate effectively with Hardware Engineers during bring-up and debugging. Technical leadership through influence - able to guide architecture and standards, mentor others, and improve team-wide practices. Practical, proactive mindset - comfortable taking initiative and working through ambiguity in a fast-moving team. Proven experience in people or team management, with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop others. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships at all levels. Proven ability to foster high performing, engaged, and collaborative teams. About Smartbox Smartbox is a leader in assistive communication technology, with products used globally by people with diverse needs. Our values, passionate, caring, empowering, achieving together and enabling change, guide everything we do. Our Inclusive Culture We believe in giving everyone a voice. Joining Smartbox means joining a diverse, collaborative team and supporting a community that relies on our technology. Our Commitment to Sustainability We prioritise sustainability, aiming to reduce our environmental impact. By joining us, you'll help support a more inclusive and sustainable future. Our D&I Commitments We are a Disability Confident Employer and a Founding Partner of Purple Tuesday. Our recruitment practices are inclusive and barrier free, with adjustments available throughout the process and your career. We believe in adding to our culture. Our diverse team shapes products that reflect our users. Rewards and Benefits Explore competitive salary, private medical insurance, hybrid working, wellness benefits and paid volunteering days. Agencies Please respect that at this current time, we wish to recruit directly and are not seeking agency support.
Software Team Lead Salary Range: £55,000 - £65,000 pa Location: Hybrid, based in Bristol Join us at Smartbox as a Software Team Lead! Are you a passionate Software Team Lead looking to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual like you to join our team and contribute to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities click apply for full job details
May 13, 2026
Full time
Software Team Lead Salary Range: £55,000 - £65,000 pa Location: Hybrid, based in Bristol Join us at Smartbox as a Software Team Lead! Are you a passionate Software Team Lead looking to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual like you to join our team and contribute to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities click apply for full job details
Software Team Lead Salary Range: £55,000 - £65,000 pa Location: Hybrid, based in Bristol Join us at Smartbox as a Software Team Lead! Are you a passionate Software Team Lead looking to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual like you to join our team and contribute to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities click apply for full job details
May 08, 2026
Full time
Software Team Lead Salary Range: £55,000 - £65,000 pa Location: Hybrid, based in Bristol Join us at Smartbox as a Software Team Lead! Are you a passionate Software Team Lead looking to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual like you to join our team and contribute to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities click apply for full job details
