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
Send:
- A short intro & CV
- 1–2 examples of hands-on hardware / firmware work
- Your availability
Send applications or expressions of interest to:
contact@energyhubclub.com