Location: Barcelona (Esplugues de Llobregat) | Employment Type: Full-Time

About Us

At KOA Biotech, we are a young and ambitious biotech startup with the mission of making aquaculture smarter, safer, and more sustainable. We develop innovative technology that combines biotechnology, IoT, and artificial intelligence to provide continuous pathogen monitoring directly on farms, enabling producers to make informed decisions and improve productivity.

We are a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and innovators working at the intersection of biology and technology. We build end-to-end systems—from hardware and firmware to cloud platforms—that bring cutting-edge science into real-world operations.

The Role

We are looking for an Embedded Hardware & Software Engineer to lead the end-to-end development of our products, from PCB and sensor integration to firmware and cloud-connected device software. This role is ideal for a senior technical engineer who wants to take ownership of both hardware and software aspects, including low-level firmware, higher-level embedded logic, and system integration with cloud platforms. You will play a key role in defining our technology strategy, launching new products, and building and mentoring a high-performing engineering team.

Things You’ll Work On

Technical Strategy & Leadership

●      Define the hardware and software architecture, ensuring scalability, reliability, and security.

●      Aligning engineering priorities with business objectives and launch timelines.

●      Manage R&D budget, including component selection, supplier management, and resource planning.

Software Development

●      Lead the development of embedded firmware and device software, covering:

○      Low-level microcontroller code (drivers, RTOS tasks, interrupts, sensor management)

○      Higher-level device logic, data processing, and communication protocols

○      Integration with cloud services and APIs for remote management and monitoring

●      Ensure robust performance, reliability, and efficiency across hardware and software

●      Implement and promote software engineering best practices (CI/CD, code reviews, automated testing).

Hardware Development

●  Lead the electronics hardware development cycle, from concept and schematic design to PCB layout, prototyping, and validation testing.

●  Collaborate with supply chain and operations to select critical components, manage obsolescence, and optimize costs (Design for Cost).

●     Ensure compliance with international certifications and regulations (CE, FCC, etc.).

Key Technical Challenges

●   Scalability & Fleet Management: Build a cloud backend capable of managing thousands of devices, including OTA firmware updates, health monitoring, and remote diagnosis.

●  End-to-End Security: Implement robust security across firmware integrity, device authentication, and encrypted data transmission and storage, including secure hardware elements.

●   Lifecycle & Maintenance: Define clear versioning and dependency management processes for hardware, firmware, and backend software while anticipating component obsolescence.

●    Cost Optimization (MVP to Mass Production): Transition validated prototypes into scalable, cost-efficient mass production using Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles.

Who You Are

● +5 years of engineering experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role managing multidisciplinary hardware and software teams.

●  Proven track record of launching products that integrate hardware and software (ideally IoT, embedded systems, or robotics).

●   Strong understanding of software architecture principles (scalability, security, microservices).

●   Deep knowledge of hardware development lifecycles and manufacturing technologies (PCB, SMT).

●   Degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electronic Engineering, or a related technical field (Master’s degree or equivalent experience is a plus).

Technical Skills

●   Software: Proficiency in one or more relevant languages (Python, C/C++, Go, Rust, Java) and experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).

●      Hardware: Experience in digital and analog circuit design and PCB tools (Altium, KiCad, or similar).

●      Communications: Experience with connectivity protocols (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, MQTT, 4G/5G).

What We Offer

●      A key role in a fast-growing startup with a disruptive product.

●      A dynamic, flexible environment with a strong execution mindset.

●      Competitive salary.

●      High autonomy in technical decision-making and team building.