At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead hardware design and strategy while mentoring a talented team in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join ANGOKA, a pioneering tech company focused on securing digital communication.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a mission-driven team shaping the future of secure communications.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on future aviation safety and innovation.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in electronics design and proven leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 € per year.
We are seeking a Head of Hardware to join some of the industry’s brightest minds dedicated to developing hardware and software authentication and encryption solutions. You will work within our growing Engineering Team, which is responsible for developing, implementing, and testing unique cryptographic protocols and technologies. You will be encouraged to introduce new technologies and drive our solutions in new directions, pushing yourself to reach your own career goals with our support. You will own and evolve ANGOKA’s hardware platforms, following a market‑led, product‑focused, hardware roadmap. This role combines hands‑on electronics design with people leadership, project ownership, and commercial awareness. You will be responsible for shaping hardware strategy, leading the team through delivery, and supporting customer and partner engagements, including the provision of technical input to bids and proposals. You will have real influence over ANGOKA’s hardware strategy and delivery, leading and growing the team while acting as a hands‑on technical authority across design, delivery, and production.
Key Responsibilities
- Own hardware architecture and set the technical direction across ANGOKA products and projects
- Set and enforce rigorous hardware design standards, review processes, and quality gates
- Act as technical authority for hardware‑related decisions, risk management, and trade‑offs
- Ensure hardware designs meet system, security, regulatory, and commercial requirements
- Plan, estimate, and deliver hardware work packages across multiple concurrent projects
- Lead hardware development through full lifecycle: concept, design, prototype, bring‑up, validation, NPI, and production support
- Be inspired and motivated by rapid innovation and hardware prototyping to demonstrate future capability and capture customer imagination
- Produce and review schematics, PCB layouts, and manufacturing outputs using Altium Designer
- Lead and support EMC/EMI‑aware design, pre‑compliance testing, and certification activities
- Own hardware schedules, dependencies, and delivery risks, escalating issues where required
- Line‑manage and mentor hardware engineers, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and development support
- Allocate work, set priorities, and balance team capacity across projects
- Build and maintain a high‑performing hardware team aligned with ANGOKA’s product roadmap
- Provide technical input to project bids, proposals, and statements of work, including hardware scope, estimates, and risk assessment
- Represent ANGOKA at customer and partner discussions as the hardware technical lead
- Translate customer requirements into deliverable hardware plans and costed solutions
- Work closely with product management, systems, and commercial teams to shape viable offerings
- Lead supplier selection, component strategy, and obsolescence management
- Work with contract manufacturers and test houses during NPI and production ramp
- Own DFM/DFA reviews and production readiness activities
Person Specifications
- 8+ years of electronics/hardware design experience
- Demonstrated experience in a technical leadership or team lead role, mentoring and technically leading other engineers
- Strong experience with Altium Designer or similar packages
- Proven track record of delivering hardware products through NPI
- Experience of rapid innovation, hardware prototyping, and demonstration of potential capability
- Strong understanding of EMC/EMI design and regulatory compliance (CE/UKCA/FCC)
- Experience in planning, estimating, and delivering engineering work to schedule
- Experience contributing to or leading technical input for customer bids and proposals
- Experience with wireless, cellular, satellite, or industrial communications
- Comfortable working in a fast‑moving startup or scale‑up environment
- Familiarity with hardware security techniques
- Exposure to security‑critical or safety‑critical systems
- FPGA experience
- Experience with high‑speed interfaces, RF, or power electronics
- Experience mentoring or technically leading other engineers
The Company
At ANGOKA, our mission is to secure the digital foundations of the modern world - embedding trust, resilience, and safety into the communication and data networks that underpin smart cities, autonomous systems, and future aviation. Airports and airspace are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, as highlighted by recent events in Europe. ANGOKA is building the technology platform for a safer, more connected future aviation system. Our aim is to focus and operate first in air, and the resultant product and systems would map rapidly across to other sectors, including directly to land and marine transportation. ANGOKA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment. At ANGOKA, all our hiring decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, and we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that supports and represents our diverse society.
Head of Hardware in Belfast employer: Angoka Limited
At ANGOKA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation thrives and employees are empowered to shape the future of hardware technology. Our collaborative culture fosters personal and professional growth, with ample opportunities for mentorship and leadership development, all while working on cutting-edge solutions that secure critical communication networks. Located in a fast-paced startup atmosphere, we provide our team with the resources and support needed to excel, making ANGOKA a truly rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Hardware in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at ANGOKA on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Head of Hardware role. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into ANGOKA's products and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just familiar with hardware design but also passionate about how it fits into the bigger picture of securing digital foundations.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your past experiences; bring your ideas to the table! Think about innovative hardware solutions that could benefit ANGOKA and be ready to discuss them during your interview. We love forward-thinkers!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at ANGOKA.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Hardware in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hardware:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for hardware design and innovation. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on that demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical leadership in the field.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience that aligns with the Head of Hardware position. Focus on your achievements in electronics design, team leadership, and any successful projects that showcase your ability to deliver hardware solutions.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, making it easy for us to see how you fit into our team and contribute to ANGOKA's mission.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application reaches us quickly and allows you to easily track your application status. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Angoka Limited
✨Know Your Hardware Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest hardware technologies and trends, especially those related to cryptographic protocols. Brush up on your experience with Altium Designer and be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve led hardware design or innovation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in mentoring and leading teams. Be ready to discuss how you've managed project timelines, allocated work, and supported your team’s development while ensuring high-quality delivery.
✨Understand the Market and Customer Needs
Familiarise yourself with ANGOKA’s mission and the specific challenges in the aviation sector. Think about how you can translate customer requirements into actionable hardware plans and be prepared to share your insights during the interview.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect in-depth technical questions regarding EMC/EMI design and regulatory compliance. Prepare to discuss your approach to risk management and trade-offs in hardware design, as well as any relevant experiences with wireless or industrial communications.
