graduate electronic engineer in Oxford

Location: Oxford

About Us

We combine industry-leading optical, fibre optic, mechanical, electronics and software expertise with in-house development capability from design through to qualification and manufacture. By applying our extensive knowledge in ever-evolving ways, we help customers solve unique sensing and measurement challenges across aerospace, defence, energy and industrial markets.

Role Overview

We are looking for a motivated Graduate Electronics Engineer to join our growing R&D team, working on cutting-edge custom optical sensing solutions. You will be part of a small, multidisciplinary team of bright, enthusiastic and respectful engineers tackling real problems across electronic, optical, software and mechanical engineering, with access to fully equipped development labs and all the instruments required to do the job properly. This is an exceptional opportunity for a graduate who wants to grow fast. From PCB design and embedded firmware to bench testing and integration of electronics into state-of-the-art optical sensor systems, you will be hands-on from day one and supported at every step.

Primary Objective

Support the design, development and testing of electronic hardware for sensing systems, contributing to both customer programmes and internal technology development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the design, development and prototyping of electronic PCBs and sub-systems
• Assist with bench testing, fault-finding, troubleshooting and characterisation of electronic assemblies and sample products
• Work closely with optical, mechanical and software engineers to integrate electronics into sensing systems
• Reverse-engineer and analyse customer-supplied or third-party electronic items as required
• Support the identification and procurement of electronic components, materials and tools
• Produce and maintain engineering documentation to support design records within the company's quality system
• Liaise with supply chain and sub-contractors as required
• Assist with maintenance of electronic and lab equipment, and support improvement of engineering processes and tooling
• Ensure Health and Safety standards are followed at all times, and maintain a clean, organised workspace
• Ensure adherence to company policies and procedures

This job description is not exhaustive; you may be asked to undertake other duties reasonably requested by the company.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field
• Foundational knowledge of analogue and digital electronics principles
• Knowledge of PCB design processes and associated documentation (schematics, BOM, layout)
• Familiarity with at least one PCB design tool (e.g. OrCAD, Altium, KiCad)
• Understanding of embedded systems concepts (microcontrollers, GPIO, SPI, I2C, UART, firmware basics)
• Experience or familiarity with electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, signal generators, bench power supplies)
• Working knowledge of Python or a similar scripting language, or willingness to learn
• Organised, with good planning and time management skills
• Willingness to learn and follow standard design practices

Technical Skills & Systems Knowledge

• Electronic design and simulation software (e.g. SPICE, OrCAD, LTspice)
• Embedded programming languages (C, C++)
• Python for test automation, data acquisition and post-processing
• Understanding of the product life cycle of electronic designs, from concept through to production
• Desirable: familiarity with optical or photonic systems and their electronic interfaces

Personal Attributes:

• Enthusiastic problem solver; tackles challenges with curiosity and rigour using evidence-based approaches
• Willing to learn and grow; quick to pick up new tools, techniques and domain knowledge
• Clear and concise communicator, able to discuss technical issues across engineering disciplines
• Resolute in finding solutions; doesn't give up when the first approach fails
• Self-motivated and results-driven; manages own time effectively
• High integrity; takes initiative and manages priorities in a dynamic environment
• Able to work as part of a team or autonomously as the job requires
• Collaborative and respectful of colleagues across all disciplines
• Comfortable working in a small, fast-moving R&D environment with evolving requirements
• Intellectually curious; keeps up with developments in electronics, sensing and adjacent fields
• Gives and receives honest technical feedback constructively

Other Desirable Requirements:

• Working experience with opto-electrical components or systems
• Experience of product approval processes
• Experience working within an ISO 9001 or similar quality management environment
• Exposure to sensor electronics, measurement systems or instrumentation