Application & System Integration Engineer – Embedded Software

Application & System Integration Engineer – Embedded Software 

Job Reference: Ref

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Piteira Research Group

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 14 months

Open Date for Applications: November 7th, 2025

Closing Date for Applications: December 5th, 2025, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #CyberPhysicalSystems #EmbeddedSoftware #EmbeddedHardware

#RTOS

Overview

The Piteira Research Group – System Engineering – is dedicated to bring advanced Nanoeletronics, into mainstream applications within the semiconductor, biomedical, agrifood, industrial, and industrial markets.

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Embedded Software Engineer to join our group within the scope of national funded projects. We expect the candidate to develop software for custom embedded hardware platforms that integrate wireless communication technologies and edge AI capabilities. The ideal candidate will also be proficient in developing intuitive graphical user interfaces using the Qt framework. This role involves close collaboration with hardware teams and researchers in data analysis and AI to deliver intelligent, connected, and user-friendly embedded systems for Agri-food and Bio-medical applications.

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

• Design and implement high-performance, low-latency, embedded software for custom hardware platforms using C/C++ and other relevant languages;
• Integrate and optimise wireless communication protocols (e.g., BLE, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, LoRa);
• Develop and deploy edge ML/AI applications using frameworks such as TensorFlow Lite, ONNX, or custom inference engines;
• Implement and maintain real-time operating systems (RTOS) and low-level drivers for peripherals and communication interfaces;
• Design and develop cross-platform GUI applications using the Qt framework for embedded devices;
• Conduct system validation, debugging, and performance optimisation;
• Document software architecture, design decisions, and test results.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

• MSc in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field with a focus on Hardware development.

Experience and Technical Skills

• Proficiency in C/C++ and experience with embedded systems;
• Hands-on experience with wireless communication stacks and protocols;
• Experience with Qt framework for GUI development;
• Familiarity with microcontroller and SoC platforms (e.g., STM32, NXP, Nordic, TI);
• Experience with edge ML/AI deployment on embedded platforms.

Other Valued Skills and Qualifications

• Complex Network and Device Communication: Implement and debug various communication stacks, including foundational protocols like TCP and UDP, and application-layer protocols such as HTTP/HTTPS and MQTT;
• Signal Processing Expertise: Apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills in signal processing to design and implement filters, transforms, and analysis techniques for data acquisition and interpretation;
• Supplementary Web Development Skills: Utilise basic Web development skills (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to develop supporting tools, internal dashboards, or visualisation interfaces for R&D data and results;
• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field with a focus on Hardware development.

Personal Skills

• Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to work independently in an exploratory research environment;
• Previous experience working on ground breaking technologies in a collaborative, intellectually rich environment.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges;
• Private health insurance;
• Family allowances (according to family situation);
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability);
• Support for education fees of dependent children;
• Relocation support;
• 30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

a)     Cover letter;

b)     Curriculum Vitae;

c)      Academic and/or Professional diplomas;

d)     Recognition of academic degrees (only academic degrees awarded by non-Portuguese higher education institutions) *

*The selected candidate(s) with an academic degree granted by a non-Portuguese higher education institution must present, for hiring purposes, the certificate of recognition of that degree(s), issued by the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education or by a Portuguese Public Higher Education Institution. Please consult the website of the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education: 

Online application instructions:

1. The application is made online by clicking the "Apply" button;
2. The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;
3. The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the "Additional files" section using the "Add portfolio" button.

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works
 

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate's profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Additional Information

Application feedback

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL ), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.