Electronics and Hardware Engineer

Electronics and Hardware Engineer

Full-Time 60000 - 61000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
L

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and prototype custom electronics for national security operations.
  • Company: Join a leading tech company focused on safety and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and generous leave.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by building hardware that supports critical missions.
  • Qualifications: Experience in electronics design and assembly is essential.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 61000 £ per year.

Location: Hybrid - Hereford 4 days/week on customer site

Clearance: Must be eligible for DV clearance (British Citizen, UK residency last 10 years)

Do you love building real hardware from the ground up? Want to design and prototype electronics that directly support national security operations? We’re looking for a practical, hands-on Electronics & Hardware Engineer to join our growing National Security & Defence team. In this role, you'll design and assemble custom electronic devices, integrating components like RF modules, GPS, GSM, and Bluetooth. You'll also work on physical casing design, 3D printing, and functional testing — bringing entire devices from schematic to finished product.

You’ll work closely with our embedded software developers to build the systems that power covert and tactical operations, often being the person who turns ideas into working physical hardware. This role is primarily on-site Hereford (4 days per week), where you’ll collaborate directly with users and developers to deliver tools that make a difference.

What You’ll Do

  • Design and build custom electronic circuits using COTS modules and discrete components
  • Lay out PCBs (preferably using tools like Altium or EasyEDA)
  • Integrate wireless technologies: RF, GPS, GSM, Bluetooth, UWB
  • Design and 3D print enclosures for your devices
  • Assemble prototypes: soldering, testing, debugging
  • Support embedded software engineers with working hardware
  • Capture and maintain documentation for your builds and iterations
  • Participate in on-site integration, testing, and refinement alongside users

What You’ll Bring

Essential:

  • Experience designing and assembling electronics.
  • Comfortable using PCB layout tools and soldering components (SMD and through-hole)
  • Familiarity with using and integrating wireless communication modules (RF, GPS, Bluetooth, etc.)
  • Some exposure to embedded microcontroller platforms (e.g., Arduino, ESP32, STM32)
  • Comfortable with multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, etc.
  • Able to build and iterate on functional prototypes rapidly
  • Working knowledge of mechanical enclosures and 3D printing

Desirable:

  • Experience producing small-scale runs of PCB prototypes
  • Understanding of power management in low-power or battery-operated devices
  • Exposure to EMI/EMC design considerations
  • Experience supporting field testing or operational deployments
  • Passion for making, hacking, or DIY electronics projects

Education & Qualifications

Degree or HND in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or similar. Relevant hands-on project experience is highly valued — even from personal or hobbyist work.

What we do for you

At Leidos we are PASSIONATE about customer success, UNITED as a team and INSPIRED to make a difference. We offer meaningful and engaging careers, a collaborative culture, and support for your career goals, all while nurturing a healthy work-life balance.

We provide an employment package that attracts, develops and retains only the best in talent. Our reward scheme includes:

  • Contributory Pension Scheme
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • 33 days Annual Leave (including public and privilege holidays)
  • Access to Flexible benefits (including life assurance, health schemes, gym memberships, annual buy and sell holidays and a cycle to work scheme)
  • Flexi Time Working

Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applications from every part of the community and are committed to a truly diverse and inclusive culture. We foster a sense of belonging, welcoming all perspectives and contributions, and providing equal access to opportunities and resources for everyone. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages please let us know, and we will respond in a way that best fits your needs.

Who We Are

Leidos UK & EUROPE – we work to make the world safer, healthier, and more efficient through technology, engineering and science. Leidos is a growing company delivering innovative technology and solutions focused on safeguarding critical capabilities and transformation in frontline services, our work in the United Kingdom includes addressing some of the most complex problems in defence, healthcare, government, safety and security, and transportation.

What Makes Us Different:

Purpose: you can use your passion and abilities at Leidos to keep the people you care about safe. We are at the forefront of machine learning, AI, cyber security and solutions. Using your skills in the technology frontline by helping to build a safer world. You can inspire change.

Collaboration: having flexibility to do your job is one of our core benefits, enabling you to become part of our extraordinary team. We have been empowering our people to work flexibly for years. Whether you work from home, the office or on customer sites, we will give you the digital tools and the flexibility to work smarter and align your needs and ours.

People: Leidos empowers people from every background to be themselves and gives you the tools to learn new skills by enabling growth whilst developing. We believe that extraordinary people need opportunities to grow, to be inspired and to inspire others. At Leidos, we invest in technical academies, career rotations and a career development plans that enhance your future.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail.

Electronics and Hardware Engineer employer: Leidos

Leidos is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative culture that prioritises employee growth and work-life balance. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to develop their skills through technical academies and career development plans, all while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance public sector services in London. The comprehensive benefits package, including a contributory pension scheme and flexible working options, further underscores Leidos' dedication to attracting and retaining top talent.

L

Contact Details:

Leidos Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Electronics and Hardware Engineer

Join Engineering Meetups!

Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Electronics and Hardware Engineer role you’re after at Leidos.

Show Off Your Projects!

Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Leidos a taste of what you can bring to the table!

Engage with Online Communities

Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Leidos.

Apply Through Company Websites

When you spot a role like Electronics and Hardware Engineer at Leidos, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.

We think you need these skills to ace Electronics and Hardware Engineer

Electronics Design
PCB Layout (Altium, EasyEDA)
Soldering (SMD and through-hole)
Wireless Communication Integration (RF, GPS, GSM, Bluetooth)
Embedded Microcontroller Platforms (Arduino, ESP32, STM32)
Multimeter Usage
Oscilloscope Operation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Electronics and Hardware Engineer, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.

Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Leidos a clear picture of the value you can bring.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Leidos specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.

How to prepare for a job interview at Leidos

Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles

Before heading into the interview with Leidos, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.

Relate Your Experience to the Role

In a full-time role, employers like Leidos want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.

Know Your Tools and Software

Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.