Embedded Systems Engineer – CAN Bus Integration (esp32) - Remote Eligible

Embedded Systems Engineer – CAN Bus Integration (ESP32)

Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

High-Level Overview Project: A distributed e-mobility operator in West Africa requires an experienced Embedded Systems Engineer to integrate ESP32 devices into its electric motorbike fleet and enable reliable CAN bus communication capture. The e-bikes consist of a battery, motor, and controller architecture, with the controller operating via CAN protocol. The organisation already possesses ESP32 hardware but lacks the in-house expertise to correctly interface with the system, access and interpret CAN messages, and establish a repeatable integration approach for its specific component configuration. The mandate is strictly focused on practical integration and capability transfer. The selected engineer will:

• Physically integrate ESP32 devices onto the bikes,
• Interface with the CAN bus to read communication data,
• Enable structured data logging for analysis, and
• Train internal engineers to independently maintain and extend the solution

Role and Responsibilities

Role: Embedded Systems Engineer – CAN Bus Integration (ESP32) Direct Report: CEO Candidates Required: 1 Key Deliverables: ESP32 Hardware Integration

• Identify correct CAN access points within the bike's controller system.
• Validate electrical compatibility and ensure non-disruptive connection to live CAN bus.
• Design and implement a safe, repeatable installation method for ESP32 devices.
• Produce wiring diagrams, installation procedures, and basic bill of materials for replication.

• Establish reliable read access to CAN messages from the controller.
• Detect and configure appropriate CAN parameters (e.g., baud rate, filtering).
• Capture and log CAN frames in a structured format suitable for later analysis.
• Decode and document relevant signals (e.g., motor usage, controller output, battery metrics).
• Provide documented mapping of message IDs to interpreted signals.

• Safe CAN bus interfacing
• ESP32 integration and configuration
• CAN message logging and interpretation
• Troubleshooting and debugging procedures
• Deliver practical documentation and step-by-step runbooks.
• Ensure internal engineers can independently replicate the integration on additional bikes within the same component set.

Requirements

Experience Required:

• Proven hands-on experience working with CAN bus systems in automotive or e-mobility contexts.
• Experience integrating microcontrollers (ESP32 or similar) into live hardware environments.
• Experience reading, decoding, and troubleshooting CAN communication (including undocumented systems).
• Track record of mentoring or training junior engineers in embedded systems environments.

Technical Requirements:

• Strong understanding of CAN protocol fundamentals (IDs, frames, filtering, baud rates).
• Experience interfacing ESP32 with CAN (including use of external CAN transceivers if required).
• Embedded firmware development capability (C/C++ / ESP-IDF / Arduino frameworks).
• Ability to work in hardware-constrained, field-based environments.

Other Skills:

• Practical, hands-on problem solver.
• Structured and disciplined in documentation.
• Comfortable working with partially documented or undocumented systems.
• Clear communicator capable of transferring technical knowledge effectively.
• English, French advantageous
• On-site engagement in Senegal required for discovery, integration, and training phases.
• Ability to work closely with mechanics and engineering staff in a workshop setting.

Working Arrangement Location: Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and Remote Language: English and French Travel: When needed Terms of agreement: Start Date: Immediately Contracting Period: TBD 3-6 months

About Allied Talent Partners

Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.