At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and test high-speed digital electronics for airborne radar systems.
- Company: Join a leading aerospace and defence company in Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working options and competitive perks after initial training.
- Why this job: Be part of innovative projects that impact national security and technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electronics Engineering and 5+ years of relevant experience required.
- Other info: Opportunity to supervise and mentor junior engineers in a collaborative environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The Senior / Principal Digital hardware engineer would be responsible for design, commissioning and test of high-speed digital electronics hardware, i.e. Printed Circuit Assemblies (PCAs) on complex systems for airborne Radar products. The successful candidate may be required to supervise other less experienced digital hardware engineers working on the same project. The role will be based at our customers site in Edinburgh and may allow for hybrid working after an initial period of familiarisation onsite.
Job Responsibilities:
- Creating high-quality and robust digital electronics designs
- Documenting and recording deliverables
- Supporting integration & verification activities at hardware and system level
- Keeping designs under configuration control
- Providing progress reports
Work Experience Skills, Qualifications and Experience required:
Essential
- Degree or equivalent in Electronics Engineering or other STEM-based subject
- At least 5 years experience of designing high-speed digital electronics using the latest FPGA and/or microprocessor devices and high-speed interconnect technology
- Proficient in schematic capture using Mentor Graphics (Siemens EDA) DxDesigner or similar tools
- Experience of high-speed serial communication interfaces/protocols (e.g. PCIe, Ethernet/ IEEE802.3, SPI, I2C, etc.) and high-speed bus architectures (e.g. DDR3/4)
- Use of high-speed digital design techniques such as signal termination, controlled impedance, matched length tracking, ground/power planes, decoupling, etc.
- Functional simulation & timing analysis/constraints at circuit level
- Experience of PCB layout, working closely with and providing guidance to PCB layout engineers on high-speed digital designs
- Hands on experience of integrating hardware, firmware & software on FPGA and microprocessor-based PCAs
- Ability to coordinate day to day technical activities, liaising closely with the lead engineer/digital hardware lead & other engineering disciplines
- Experience of liaising with Manufacturing/Production colleagues and external suppliers of key components and assemblies
- Excellent communication (oral & written) & interpersonal skills
- Ability to analyse system requirements and derive detailed hardware requirements
- Experience of debugging & testing new hardware designs
- Previous experience of the full hardware design lifecycle and presenting designs for peer and formal design reviews
- Self-motivated, with an aptitude to problem solve and drive difficult issues to conclusion
- Experience in writing technical reports/documentation
Desirable
- Relevant experience in the Aerospace/Defence industry or on other complex/high-reliability systems
- Experience of signal integrity & power integrity analysis at board level using Hyperlynx SI/PI or equivalent
- Knowledge of FPGA/Software coding languages (VHDL, C, Assembler)
- Experience of hardware requirements capture, requirements management tools and formal verification of hardware requirements
- Experience of supervising other digital hardware engineers, planning and managing work for yourself and a small team
Qualifications
- Honours or Masters degree in Electronics Engineering or related STEM subject
- UK/EU citizenship is mandatory to be able to clear the background checks and obtain SC clearance
- Current valid SC clearance would be an advantage
Education Type
- Degree (BSc/BEng/MSc/MEng) in Electronics Engineering or equivalent
Senior Principal Digital Hardware Engineer employer: Quest Global Engineering Limited
Contact Detail:
Quest Global Engineering Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Principal Digital Hardware Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as FPGA and high-speed serial communication protocols. Being able to discuss these in detail during your interview will show that you have the technical expertise we are looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any experience you have in supervising or mentoring less experienced engineers. This role involves leading a team, so demonstrating your leadership skills and ability to guide others will make you a strong candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with high-speed digital design techniques and PCB layout. We value candidates who can articulate their hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities in these areas, especially in relation to complex systems.
✨Tip Number 4
Research our company and the specific projects we work on in the aerospace and defence sectors. Showing that you understand our mission and how your skills align with our needs will set you apart from other applicants.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Principal Digital Hardware Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in designing high-speed digital electronics, particularly with FPGA and microprocessor devices. Include specific projects that demonstrate your skills in schematic capture and PCB layout.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your relevant experience in the aerospace or defence industry, and how your skills align with the job responsibilities. Mention your ability to supervise and coordinate technical activities, as this is a key aspect of the role.
Showcase Technical Skills: Clearly list your technical skills related to high-speed digital design techniques, communication protocols, and tools like Mentor Graphics. Providing examples of your hands-on experience with hardware integration will strengthen your application.
Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your previous projects and experiences in detail during interviews. Prepare to explain your approach to debugging and testing new hardware designs, as well as your experience with the full hardware design lifecycle.
How to prepare for a job interview at Quest Global Engineering Limited
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with high-speed digital electronics design, particularly with FPGA and microprocessor devices. Highlight specific projects where you successfully implemented complex designs and the tools you used, such as Mentor Graphics.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since the role may involve supervising less experienced engineers, share examples of how you've led teams or mentored colleagues in previous positions. Discuss your approach to coordinating technical activities and ensuring project success.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect in-depth questions about high-speed serial communication interfaces and digital design techniques. Brush up on topics like signal integrity, power integrity, and PCB layout principles to confidently answer any technical queries.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, both verbally and in writing. Be ready to explain complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand, as you may need to present designs during peer reviews.