Electrical Design Lead in Portsmouth

GB1 are expanding our technical team with the goal of winning the America’s Cup, the oldest international competition still contested in any sport. We are building an agile, creative and collaborative team to compete and win at the pinnacle of the sport of sailing. Our team values have a sharp focus on maximizing performance from our designs, while fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. We’re regrowing our electrical engineering team in support of this America’s Cup challenge. This is a unique opportunity to lead the design of the electrical architecture and systems that allow our yacht to be safely and efficiently sailed at over 50 knots in one of the world’s most technically demanding sporting events.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of the yacht’s electrical architecture, including power distribution, safety systems, and comprehensive instrumentation networks.
• Manage the full electrical design lifecycle—from schematic capture and harness design to manufacturing, installation, and validation.
• Manage technical relationships with external suppliers and partners to ensure component specifications, quality standards, and delivery timelines align with project goals.
• Work collaboratively with the Controls and Mechanical design teams to ensure seamless integration of electrical systems with hydraulic, electronic, and embedded control elements.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to the electrical team, fostering a culture of robust engineering standards and thorough documentation.
• Provide hands-on support during build phases, systems integration, and on-the-water testing when required.
• Ensure compliance with AC75 Class Rules and Technical Regulations regarding electrical systems.

Required Skills/Experience

• Degree (or equivalent) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Significant experience in the design and specification of complex low-voltage DC electrical systems and wiring harnesses.
• Demonstrable experience with sensor selection and instrumentation, including signal conditioning, calibration, and integration into high-speed data acquisition systems.
• Proficiency in electrical CAD software (e.g., EPLAN, VeSys, or Zuken) and 3D CAD integration (ideally CATIA V6 / 3Dx).
• Strong understanding of hardware integration using EtherCAT, ethernet, CAN, and serial communication protocols.
• Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration within multidisciplinary teams under high-pressure conditions.
• Highly motivated, adaptable, and capable of leading projects in a fast-paced engineering environment.
• Experience working in the Marine, Motorsport, or Aerospace sectors.
• Familiarity with low-voltage DC systems and battery technologies suitable for high-performance applications.
• Experience in developing embedded electronic modules and hardware interfaces.
• Understanding of yacht dynamics and the specific demands of operating electrical systems in a marine environment.
• Genuine interest in sailing or high-performance sports, with a passion for contributing to elite-level competition.

Be part of a world-class America’s Cup team working at the intersection of sport and technology, with the chance to contribute directly to our sporting success and push the limits of human and technological performance. Opportunities for growth—we look to develop you to be part of the future of our team. Competitive package with: 25 days annual leave (plus public holidays) per annum, Company Pension Scheme, Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work Scheme.

This is a full-time office-based role based in Portsmouth, with additional requirement to travel to other locations where necessary. Salary is negotiable, dependent on experience.