Principal Hardware Engineer
Principal Hardware Engineer

Principal Hardware Engineer

Luton Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join us as a Principal Hardware Engineer, designing cutting-edge digital hardware for defence systems.
  • Company: Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security with a commitment to innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, private healthcare, and access to 4000+ online courses.
  • Why this job: Be part of a diverse team solving real-world problems while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: A degree in Electronic Engineering or equivalent experience; familiarity with circuit design tools is essential.
  • Other info: Opportunities for hybrid working and a strong focus on employee wellbeing and development.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Are you an experienced Hardware Engineer that would like to aid in the delivery of high-performance digital hardware that forms part of our self-protection systems and is installed on fast jet, UAV, land and naval platforms? If so, keep reading! We are recruiting for Principal Electronics Hardware Engineers to be part of various teams within the EW sector to support our next generation electronic platforms. You will experience the full engineering lifecycle within Leonardo assisting with requirement and architecture definition and maturation, the design of new novel PCB level electronics and work with the wider project team to support integration and qualification of product.

What you'll do as a Principal Electronics Hardware Engineer:

  • Supporting throughout the full hardware lifecycle from requirements analysis; through design, and unit test; to integrating hardware with the target system; and lastly to acceptance test and delivery to customer.
  • Fully documenting and recording your work products; keeping them under configuration management, and providing plans and progress reports.
  • Supporting the integration of hardware, firmware and software within your project.
  • Supporting product team qualification activities.
  • Supporting trials proving activities.
  • Designing high speed digital Printed Circuit Boards that utilise the latest FPGA, Microprocessor and high speed interconnect technologies.
  • Work within a multi-disciplined team of engineers to solve real integration problems on complex systems.
  • To be an experience specialist in your field of interest and to be able to form ideas on your own and concept designs and product using best practice.
  • Willing to teach others and increase your own knowledge.

What we need from you

You really must have:

  • You will have either a HNC/HND or Undergraduate Degree (Electronic Engineering, Physics, or Systems based) or you may just have lots of skills and experience gained through your hard work.
  • Familiarity with circuit design (schematic capture) layout and simulation design tools.
  • Mixed signal knowledge using ADC/DAC, FPGA, SoC based design for high performance signal processing, communications and control.
  • Integrating in-house designs with COTS modules (power supplies, single board computers, RF interfaces).
  • Practical experience of debugging, testing and verifying new designs.
  • DFx knowledge specifically Design for EMC and EMI.
  • Analysing system level requirements documents and understanding their application to Hardware designs.
  • Design of high speed serial communication links and knowledge of associated protocols and architectures.
  • Hands on experience of Hardware, Firmware & Software Integration of Micro Processor Based designs onto hardware platforms is essential.
  • A methodical approach to the full hardware design lifecycle, working to a structured hardware process.
  • Debugging, testing and verification of new designs and supporting their commissioning and integration into the target system.
  • Ability to liaise with suppliers of key components and assemblies.
  • Ability to communicate effectively across different disciplines both verbally and in written form.
  • Ability to work on own or as part of a team to resolve technical issues.
  • Ability to schedule work and manage time in keeping with project timescales and budgets.

It would be good if you had some of the following:

  • Domain experience in low noise analogue electronics and or power supplies.
  • Experience of fast interfaces such as PCIe, Ethernet, and JESDC.
  • Model driven engineering using Matlab and Simulink tools.
  • Experience in FPGAs, Micro-processors, Memory and other High speed digital technologies with a desire to grow your knowledge in these domains.

Security Clearance

You must be eligible for full security clearance.

Life at Leonardo

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

  • Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options.
  • Company funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance).
  • Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year.
  • Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution).
  • Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers).
  • Lifestyle: Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme.
  • Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera.
  • Referral Incentive: You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member.
  • Bonus: Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below.

For a full list of our Company benefits please visit our website. Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 8,000 are based at 8 sites throughout the UK. At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people's full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe and have a sense of belonging and connection. This is a great opportunity to bring your talents and form an integral part of Leonardo's future. We can help you develop your skills and offer great opportunities to develop and grow, so why not join us.

Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type: Hybrid

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Contact Detail:

Leonardo SpA Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Hardware Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest technologies in high-speed digital electronics, especially FPGAs and microprocessors. Being able to discuss recent advancements or projects you've worked on can really impress during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the electronics hardware field, particularly those who have experience in self-protection systems. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to make connections that could lead to referrals.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to demonstrate your problem-solving skills by discussing specific challenges you've faced in previous projects. Highlighting your methodical approach to debugging and testing will show you’re a strong candidate for the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Research Leonardo's current projects and initiatives within the EW sector. Showing that you understand their work and how your skills align with their needs can set you apart from other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Hardware Engineer

Electronic Engineering
Circuit Design
Schematic Capture
Simulation Design Tools
Mixed Signal Knowledge
FPGA Design
SoC Based Design
High Performance Signal Processing
Communications and Control
Debugging and Testing
Design for EMC and EMI
System Level Requirements Analysis
High Speed Serial Communication Links
Microprocessor Integration
Hardware, Firmware & Software Integration
Methodical Approach to Hardware Design Lifecycle
Supplier Liaison
Effective Communication Skills
Time Management
Domain Experience in Low Noise Analogue Electronics
Experience with Fast Interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, JESD)
Model Driven Engineering (Matlab, Simulink)
Knowledge of High Speed Digital Technologies

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Focus on your expertise in hardware design, circuit layout, and integration of hardware, firmware, and software.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for hardware engineering and your understanding of the role. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to support the full hardware lifecycle.

Highlight Technical Skills: Clearly list your technical skills related to circuit design, FPGA, and high-speed digital technologies. Use examples from your past work to illustrate your proficiency in these areas.

Showcase Team Collaboration: Emphasise your ability to work within multi-disciplined teams. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others to solve complex integration problems in previous roles.

How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo SpA

✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise

As a Principal Hardware Engineer, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of circuit design, FPGA, and mixed signal knowledge. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills, and how they relate to the requirements of the role.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about past experiences where you had to debug or integrate hardware with software, and be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes.

✨Emphasise Team Collaboration

Highlight your experience working within multi-disciplined teams. Discuss how you’ve effectively communicated across different engineering disciplines and contributed to collaborative projects, as this is key in the role.

✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Learning

Leonardo values continuous learning and development. Share examples of how you've pursued further education or training in your field, and express your enthusiasm for staying updated with the latest technologies and best practices.

Principal Hardware Engineer
Leonardo SpA
Location: Luton
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