Principal Electronics Engineer

We currently require a Principal Electronics Engineer to help lead the electronics design within a team of 15 engineers, providing significant experience and insight to project development and acting as a role model for less experienced engineers, engaging in substantial R&D developments and analytical research. The role is anticipated to be a dual Electrical/Electronic function with the following definitions:

• Electronics Engineer: Providing expertise in circuit design, components, and PCB technology. Working in technology areas of EMC, Power Management, Servo Control, processor interfacing, and communications.
• Electrical Engineer: Providing expertise in power and signal transmission over wired medium with the ability to define and objectively review an overall architecture, including power management, system wiring, and knowledge of production processes.

Key Responsibilities:

The role will often include leading headline projects for the business and will be expected to set the standards of good engineering practice, leading by example, and often be seen as an expert in their given field. The Principal Engineer is expected to proactively review and enhance engineering processes, with inherent drive and passion for innovating all aspects of work. The role will often include regular communication with senior management, directors, and key customers. The Principal Engineer will often help support the development of bids, proposals, and acquisition of new business.

Typically, the Principal Electronics Engineer shall have demonstrable expertise in one or more of the following key areas along with a relentless drive to enhance the following areas, in addition to the core engineering role:

• Take a lead role in developing or enhancing technology within the business, providing subject matter expertise for technology areas and applying these to R&D development activities or projects.
• Provide technical leadership for multidisciplinary projects, fostering a culture of systematic thinking while delivering effective solutions to our customers.
• Take a line management supporting role to support other engineers as part of a smaller sub-team overseeing development, training, and support needs while providing key insights into resource planning of engineers working under them.

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Strong degree in a related discipline accredited by the IET. Typically, 10 years relevant experience expected.
• Significant experience of leading and supervising projects or people.
• Solid all-round theoretical and practical understanding of electronics designs.
• Ability to complete analysis-based activities (circuit emulation, performance, or power budgets).

Desirable:

• Ability to highlight key project risks, schedules, mitigations, and identify critical design activities.
• Overall awareness of the full project lifecycle ranging from bids through to continuing customer support.
• A proven track record of innovation-based approaches to all aspects of engineering/leadership.
• Ability to investigate and fault find technical problems at PCB or system level, with capability to identify root cause or procedural reforms.
• Likely to be a Chartered Engineer.
• Experience leading, managing, or mentoring engineers.
• Experience of EMC to military standards, with ability to manage, plan, and resolve issues at an architecture and embedded level.
• Knowledge of Motors and drive technology with ability to calculate motor performance.
• Awareness of control systems analysis and performance techniques with ability to articulate these to fellow engineers/stakeholders.
• Familiar with management tools such as JIRA, Confluence, MS Project.
• Practised in the use and management of PCB design tools such as Altium, Cadence OrCAD.
• Familiar with design resilience techniques such as Failure Mode Effects Analysis.
• Awareness of Lightning Direct and Indirect Effects.
• Familiar with the design of electronics within harsh environments typical with Military equipment.

Work Life Balance:

• 37.5 hour working week, Lunchtime finishes on a Friday.
• Hybrid/flexible working arrangements.
• 28 days annual leave, Christmas closure, Holiday purchasing scheme.

Benefits:

• Group pension plan – matched contributions up to 5%.
• Income protection scheme, Employee Assistance Programme gives you and your family access to 4 key services including remote GP service, second opinion, mental health pathway service, and physiotherapy consultations, Life assurance policy, including bereavement counselling and probate helpline.
• Health Cash Plan.

Security Clearance Requirements:

Due to the nature of our business, our staff need to be able to obtain UK Security Clearance as a mandated requirement. Therefore, if successful, you will need to provide proof of identity, employment history, and right to work in the UK, along with proof of UK residency for at least five years.