We are seeking a hands-on Hardware & Firmware Engineer to support the build, integration, testing, and monitoring of V0 and V1 portable battery pilots for university-focused energy infrastructure in Nigeria. We are running early-stage pilots to validate hardware behaviour, firmware control, and operational workflows ahead of an institutional-scale deployment.
Role Overview
This is a practical, early-stage engineering role focused on modifying and controlling portable power systems for real-world pilot use. The engineer will work closely with the founder to deliver safe, testable, and grant-ready V0 and V1 systems. This is not a factory NPI or mass-manufacturing role.
Hardware Responsibilities
– Reconfigure pre-built portable power stations for pilot use
– Integrate GSM/LTE modules for SIM-based tracking and control
– Implement hardware mechanisms for remote output shutdown
– Validate AC (230V Type-G) and DC output behaviour under load
– Test overload, low-battery, and fault shutdown behaviour
– Support safe enclosure modifications where required
– Prepare small batches (2–3 units for V0, ~10 units for V1)
Firmware Responsibilities
– Design and implement embedded firmware to manage device states (active, disabled, fault)
– Implement remote enable/disable of outputs while keeping tracking and telemetry powered
– Integrate GSM-based telemetry and handle intermittent connectivity
– Enforce firmware-level power, current, and thermal limits
– Implement safe shutdown and fail-safe behaviour for overload, low battery, and thermal events
– Ensure firmware resilience across power loss and reboot scenarios
– Maintain firmware versioning consistency across V0 and V1 units
– Implement lightweight logging for pilot metrics and fault analysis
– Document firmware logic, assumptions, and safety-critical behaviour
Bonus Skill (Not Mandatory)
Operator Dashboard & Admin Tooling (Low-Code)
– Configure or integrate a simple operator dashboard (no consumer app)
– Display device status, state-of-charge, and fault states
– Enable basic operator actions (remote enable/disable, device flagging)
– Prefer low-code or lightweight tools (e.g. Retool, Appsmith, Supabase, Airtable)
– Support data export for pilot analysis and grant reporting
– Ensure usability under intermittent connectivity
This role does NOT require building a consumer mobile app or a full cloud backend platform.
Required Experience
– Strong hands-on embedded systems experience (ESP32, STM32, or similar)
– Experience with battery systems, inverters, or power electronics
– Experience integrating GSM/LTE modules
– Comfortable working with off-the-shelf hardware and early-stage prototypes
– Strong safety awareness and pragmatic engineering judgement
Not suitable for:
– App developers
– Factory/NPI specialists
– Pure PCB designers
Location & engagement
– EU-based contractors preferred
– Remote + hands-on build required
– Contract duration: ~12 to 16 weeks (possibly longer)
– Milestone-based delivery (V0 → V1)
Rate guidance
– €50–€70 / hour, depending on experience
– Milestone-based payments
– Paid technical test included
Why this is interesting
– Real-world constraints, not lab theory
– Direct founder collaboration
– Work feeds into grant-funded institutional scale-up
– Clear scope — no endless roadmap creep
How to apply
If you’re interested in this role, check out more information on the official website And apply now!
