At a Glance
- Tasks: Design, build, and test cutting-edge ECU hardware for advanced electric vehicles.
- Company: Join a leading engineering organisation focused on next-gen EV technologies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, private medical insurance, and gym access.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Own your designs and make a real impact in the fast-paced world of EV engineering.
- Qualifications: Experience in ECU hardware design and strong lab skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
We are recruiting a Senior ECU & Electronics Hardware Engineer to join an established engineering organisation developing next-generation electric powertrain and battery technologies. This role sits at the intersection of advanced EV systems and motorsport-pace engineering, delivering real hardware into real testing and deployment environments. This is not a software-only or late-stage production role. You will design, build, test and own ECU-level hardware used within battery management systems, powertrain control and supervisory electronics. The work is hands-on, technically demanding and safety-critical, supported by long-term investment and organisational scale.
The Role
You will take end-to-end ownership of ECU and electronic control hardware, from early concept and architecture through schematic, PCB design, bring-up, validation and production release. Alongside hardware delivery, you will play a key role in developing and supporting Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) systems used to validate EV battery and powertrain architectures. The environment is fast-paced and prototype-led, but with the structure, funding and stability of a major global engineering organisation. Engineers in this team work closely with firmware, software, systems and test teams to deliver robust, high-performance solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead ECU and electronic hardware design from concept through to production
- Design mixed-signal, safety-critical control and interface boards
- Perform circuit design, simulation, schematic capture and PCB layout oversight
- Own board bring-up, debugging and fault diagnosis using lab equipment
- Develop, support and debug ECU-connected HIL rigs
- Support battery, powertrain and control hardware during lab, rig and test activities
- Apply high-voltage-aware design principles, including isolation, creepage and clearance
- Select components with consideration for EMC, thermal and reliability requirements
- Define and execute hardware test strategies, including EVT, DVT and PVT
- Work closely with embedded firmware and software engineers to deliver integrated systems
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement of team processes
Technical Requirements
- ECU & Electronics Hardware
- Proven experience designing ECU-level electronics hardware
- Mixed-signal, safety-critical board design experience
- End-to-end ownership from schematic through PCB and validation
- Strong hands-on lab capability; comfortable debugging your own designs
- EV, Battery & Powertrain Systems
- Experience with BMS hardware, battery control units or EV powertrain electronics
- Understanding of HV battery systems, charging and power electronics
- Exposure to high-voltage PCB design practices
- Tools & Practical Skills
- PCB design experience using Altium, Cadence, Zuken or Mentor
- Confident use of oscilloscopes, logic analysers and bench equipment
- Practical soldering, rework and prototype modification skills
- Embedded & ECU Interfaces
- Experience working with microcontrollers or processors
- Communications: CAN, SPI, ISO-SPI, IC, UART
- CAN bus design, termination and EMI mitigation
- Safety, Quality & Standards
- Understanding of EMC and EMI mitigation
- Grounding strategies and transient protection
- Familiarity with functional safety principles
- Experience applying DFMEA and hardware verification methods
- Exposure to automotive or motorsport-grade design standards
Ideal Background
- Automotive, EV, motorsport or advanced engineering environments
- Prototype-heavy, fast-moving programmes
- Experience delivering hardware against demanding technical schedules
Seniority Expectations
- Leads designs end-to-end with minimal supervision
- Comfortable making architectural and technical trade-offs
- Drives design reviews and delivery timelines
- Acts as a mentor and technical reference for others
- Takes ownership for outcomes, not just tasks
Package & Benefits (UK)
- Competitive base salary: £60,000-£70,000 (higher for Lead/Principal profiles)
- Annual bonus scheme
- Pension with strong employer contribution, increasing with service
- Share / SIP scheme
- Private medical insurance and health cash plan
- Life assurance and income protection
- Free on-site gym and discounted national memberships
- Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
- 26 days holiday plus bank holidays, with option to buy additional days
Working Pattern
- Predominantly on-site role due to lab, rig and prototype requirements
- Typically 4-5 days on site, with limited flexibility for remote design or admin work
- Occasional extended hours aligned to testing or integration milestones
- Minimal travel, primarily UK-based test facilities
Why This Role
This position offers genuine ECU hardware ownership, advanced EV and battery exposure, and the pace of motorsport engineering combined with long-term stability and investment. It is suited to engineers who want to design, touch, test and improve real hardware - not manage it at arm's length.
Senior ECU & Electronics Hardware Engineer - Advanced EV in Oxford employer: Computer Futures
Contact Detail:
Computer Futures Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior ECU & Electronics Hardware Engineer - Advanced EV in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the EV and automotive industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Bring a portfolio of your past projects to interviews. Whether it’s PCB designs or HIL systems you’ve worked on, having tangible examples can really set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of mixed-signal design and safety-critical systems. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with lab equipment and debugging techniques. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always looking for passionate engineers who want to make a difference in the EV space. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior ECU & Electronics Hardware Engineer - Advanced EV in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for EV Technology: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for electric vehicles and advanced engineering shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission to develop cutting-edge powertrain and battery technologies.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Detail your hands-on experience with ECU-level hardware design and testing. We love specifics, so mention the tools you've used, like Altium or Cadence, and any projects where you’ve taken ownership from concept to production.
Highlight Team Collaboration: This role involves working closely with various teams, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative skills. Share examples of how you've successfully partnered with firmware or software engineers to deliver integrated solutions.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the key responsibilities and technical requirements mentioned in the job description. We appreciate candidates who take the time to align their skills with what we’re looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Computer Futures
✨Know Your Hardware Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of ECU and electronics hardware design. Brush up on your experience with mixed-signal, safety-critical board design, and be ready to discuss your hands-on lab capabilities. They’ll want to know how you’ve tackled circuit design and PCB layout in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share examples of how you've debugged and diagnosed faults in your designs. Think about specific instances where you used lab equipment to troubleshoot issues. This role is all about hands-on problem-solving, so demonstrating your analytical skills will set you apart.
✨Understand the EV Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in EV battery management systems and powertrain electronics. Be prepared to discuss high-voltage systems and the importance of EMC and EMI mitigation. Showing that you’re up-to-date with industry standards will impress the interviewers.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
This role involves working closely with firmware and software teams, so highlight your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Share examples of how you’ve successfully integrated hardware with embedded systems, and don’t forget to mention any mentoring experiences you’ve had with junior engineers.