EMBEDDED SOFTWARE, PROTOTYPING & TESTING ENGINEER M/F

Vectura System develops software and embedded solutions to accelerate the decarbonisation of professional heavy mobility, with a strong focus on workboats and the fishing sector. As a Franco-German, international and multicultural startup, it combines digital twins, embedded software, energy optimisation and a deep understanding of field realities to help industrial sectors reduce their consumption and emissions without disconnecting innovation from real-world usage.

Vectura System is building its development around SaaS and embedded software solutions serving users, heavy-duty machinery and professional vessels. The company operates in highly concrete environments, in direct contact with field-based professions such as fishers, quarry and construction equipment operators, logistics players, as well as international scientific and industrial teams.

The team operates in a Franco-German and multicultural context, with collaborative projects involving France, Germany, Spain and Canada. Vectura System is currently running several structuring projects in parallel, with a strong software, scientific, industrial and international dimension.

YOUR ROLE

Working directly with Sébastien Berthebaud, you will take on a central role in the integration, testing and operational implementation of Vectura System’s embedded software components.

Your role will be to connect:

• software developments;
• controllers and embedded systems;
• electric motors, combustion engines and machine components;
• data from physical systems;
• control-command components developed with academic or scientific partners;
• field tests, notably on workboats.

You will not be expected only to have abstract algorithmic or software capabilities. The role requires real proximity to machines: understanding physical interfaces, configuring a controller, making systems communicate, testing, diagnosing, correcting and making the solution work in a real environment. You will interface the controller with electric motors, combustion engines and other components. You will update the software as developments progress from PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Developing and integrating embedded software components

You will contribute to the development, integration and evolution of embedded software components required for the control and optimisation of propulsion systems.

Your responsibilities will include:

• integrating software components into a controller environment;
• making the software communicate with various machine components;
• contributing to interfaces between electric motors, combustion engines, batteries, sensors or associated equipment;
• updating software as projects evolve;
• ensuring consistency between embedded developments and field constraints.

You are able to carry out controller commissioning and to make software operate on a boat.

2. Interfacing software with machines and controllers

You will work very close to physical systems. Your role will be to enable the software to communicate properly with the relevant equipment and machines.

You may be asked to:

• procure, configure, wire and test prototype onboard controllers (Vector, MicroAutoBox from dSPACE, etc.);
• interface controllers via CAN communication buses (NMEA 2000, J1939, Modbus);
• prepare or integrate datasets;
• connect software systems to physical components;
• participate in commissioning phases;
• diagnose interface issues;
• contribute to making exchanges between software, controllers and machines more reliable.

3. Contributing to hybridisation and energy optimisation projects

Vectura System works on projects aimed at reducing consumption and emissions from professional heavy mobility, particularly in the maritime sector. You will work on systems where embedded software, energy optimisation and propulsion chains are closely connected.

You will notably contribute to:

• integrating components required to control hybrid systems;
• participating in developments related to powertrain control;
• contributing to the software implementation of energy optimisation strategies;
• working with teams involved in digital twins, simulation and software architecture;
• linking field needs with embedded implementation constraints.

4. Working with scientific teams and project partners

You will collaborate with internal teams, freelancers, academic partners, PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers, notably within collaborative projects.

Your role will be to integrate, or make integrable, the components resulting from this work into a usable embedded software environment.

You will notably need to:

• understand technical deliverables from partners;
• contribute to their integration into the Vectura System environment;
• identify compatibility or industrialisation risks;
• work with scientific profiles whose timelines may differ;
• ensure continuity between applied research, embedded software and field reality.

5. Participating in real-world testing - Calibration and Sea Trials

The role includes a strong field dimension. You may be asked to participate in tests at sea or on site to validate the operation of software components and their interaction with physical systems.

You will contribute to:

• flash prototype controllers directly onboard
• configure IoT/4G gateways for data retrieval
• perform calibration of control parameters during sea trial campaigns
• prepare testing campaigns
• participating in field trials;
• observing real behaviours;
• diagnosing gaps between simulation, development and usage;
• adjusting solutions based on field feedback.

6. Engaging with technical and field stakeholders

You will operate in an environment with a wide variety of stakeholders: software teams, software architect, embedded experts, scientists, industrial players, suppliers, fishers, shipowners or laboratory managers.

You will need to be able to:

• adapt your communication to different stakeholders;
• explain technical constraints clearly;
• listen to field feedback;
• work with software and hardware profiles;
• contribute to a shared culture between development, machines and usage.

7. Contributing to the quality and robustness of embedded developments

You will contribute to the quality, maintainability and reliability of embedded developments.

You may be asked to:

• document your developments and integrations;
• participate in tests and validations;
• raise technical risks;
• contribute to good team practices;
• work in coordination with the software architect;
• participate in securing software components before field phases.

PROFILE SOUGHT

Education and experience

You have a higher education background in industrial computing, embedded software, electronics, automation, mechatronics, embedded systems, robotics, energy, mobility or equivalent.

You have significant experience in embedded software development, ideally in an environment where software interacts with physical systems, controllers, machines, test benches, vehicles, vessels, industrial equipment or energy systems.

Experience in one or more of the following environments would be particularly relevant:

• hardware-close embedded software;
• commissioning of controllers or industrial systems;
• machine interfaces;
• control-command;
• applied electronics;
• propulsion, hybridisation, energy or mobility;
• field tests or test benches;
• maritime, automotive, industrial, robotics, defence, aerospace or energy environments.

EXPECTED TECHNICAL SKILLS

You are able to:

• develop and integrate embedded software;
• interface software with machines or physical components;
• configure or contribute to controller commissioning;
• work with motors, sensors, batteries or propulsion systems;
• understand interface diagrams between software and hardware;
• master low-level C/C++ development (drivers, HAL);
• know embedded communication buses (CAN, NMEA 2000, J1939, Modbus)
• diagnose integration issues;
• participate in real-world testing;
• document your developments;
• work with software, hardware, automation and scientific profiles.

MINDSET AND SOFT SKILLS

We are looking for a person able to combine technical rigour, practical sense and a strong field mindset.

You are autonomous, structured, curious, methodical and problem-solving oriented. You like understanding how systems actually work and you are not only comfortable in code: you also know how to engage with machines, equipment, tests and users.

You know how to work with a wide variety of stakeholders: developers, scientists, industrial players, suppliers, fishers, shipowners or laboratory managers. You know how to adapt your communication, remain concrete and maintain a professional posture in the field.

You are motivated by environmental and industrial challenges, and you want to contribute to useful, robust innovation tested in real-world conditions.

LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Professional English is important to operate in Vectura System’s international environment.

Spanish and/or German are a plus, given the company’s Franco-German context and projects involving France, Germany, Spain and Canada.

ENVISAGED CONDITIONS

• Contract: full-time permanent contract.
• Status: executive status, forfait arrangement to be specified if applicable.
• Location: Berlin
• Remote work: two flexible remote-working days, according to the planned organisation.
• On-site presence: Monday and Friday on site, plus one additional on-site day of choice during the week, according to the planned framework.
• Travel: possible travel, notably at sea or on site, for testing, observation or field integration.
• Indicative compensation: €48-60k gross annual salary, to be adjusted according to profile and experience.
• Environment: Franco-German startup in a structuring phase, international collaborative projects, close interaction with the CEO, the software architect, software teams and scientific partners.