Electronics Design Authority in Portsmouth

Location: Portsmouth Broad Oak, hybrid, 4 days on site weekly.

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Up to £61,600 depending on skills & experiences + bonus scheme.

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you'll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you'll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You'll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

Role description:

The role involves leading the full lifecycle of electronic assembly development, taking concepts from initial specification through to service release. This includes managing VHDL-based activities such as requirements analysis, coding, simulation, and IP integration, alongside performing rigorous design verification through advanced simulation, analysis, and testing methods. A key part of the work is the ongoing management of existing designs, including technology insertion initiatives and resolving PCB obsolescence challenges, while also generating high‐quality technical documentation, design reports, and compliance evidence.

In addition, the position requires hands‐on integration and demonstration of complex system‐level electronics and hardware, ensuring all work adheres to relevant safety legislation, engineering lifecycles, and customer expectations. The role supports peer reviews, design progress assessments, and collaborative engineering across multiple projects, while also contributing to commercial activities such as bids, proposals, and project estimation.

Core duties:

• Lead electronic assembly design and development from concept through to service release and support, providing technical leadership and mentoring junior engineers.
• Demonstrate expertise in component‐level electronic design using computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools for volume production, including obsolescence management and technology insertion.
• Be proficient in circuitry design, digital-to-analogue (ADC/DAC) conversion, power‐supply decoupling, and collaborating on EMC‐compliant subsystems and PCB layouts.
• Apply a rigorous approach to safety and legislative compliance, particularly for high‐power and high‐voltage equipment.
• Substantial experience in design proving, system integration, and proactive defect investigation and resolution.
• Provide robust technical evidence to support safety, fitness for purpose, and compliance, with strong understanding of FPGA design, power electronics, and advanced test and measurement techniques.

You will hold a degree or equivalent in Electronic Engineering or a strongly related subject.

The Archerfish Team:

Join the Archerfish team within the Underwater Battlespace unit, where the Underwater Electronics group drives the full lifecycle of electronics, from design and manufacturing to production and in-service support, covering obsolescence management and redesign for manufacturability. This role focuses on high-integrity electronics development, including VHDL design, coding, analysis, and simulation. The role and team ensure long-term operational success by managing technology insertions and obsolescence while maintaining full compliance with safety legislation and customer requirements.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you'll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You'll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what's most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 10th April 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.