Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer

Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer

Full-Time 40500 - 49500 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Matchtech Careers

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and development of cutting-edge hardware for defence and aerospace projects.
  • Company: Established defence and aerospace engineering team in Kent.
  • Benefits: Work on innovative projects with a supportive, multidisciplinary team.
  • Other info: Opportunity to coach junior engineers and grow your career.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in safety-critical electronics and advanced technology.
  • Qualifications: Degree in electronics engineering and significant experience in regulated industries.

The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.

Our client is seeking a Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer to join an established defence and aerospace engineering team in Kent. This permanent, onsite role offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of safety-critical electronics and advanced technology, including helmet-mounted and head-up displays, mission computers, flight controls and active inceptors.

Making sure you fit the guidelines as an applicant for this role is essential, please read the below carefully.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Leading hardware requirements capture, preliminary design and detailed design activities
  • Executing complex digital and/or analogue electronics design tasks in line with agreed development plans
  • Carrying out analysis and validation activities to support robust technical decisions
  • Providing technical guidance throughout the complete systems development lifecycle, from concept through to product certification
  • Working with multidisciplinary teams to optimise solutions and manage technical dependencies
  • Supporting the delivery of reliable, high-quality hardware solutions within agreed timescales and budgets
  • Contributing to product design and work package control, with consideration for cost and schedule requirements
  • Coaching and developing junior members of the hardware engineering team

Job Requirements:

  • Degree, HND or equivalent experience in electronics engineering
  • Significant experience in electronics design or hardware engineering within a regulated industry
  • Strong knowledge of digital and/or analogue electronics technologies
  • Experience working across the full engineering development lifecycle, including product certification requirements such as DO-254
  • Understanding of systems engineering, hardware standards and safety-critical product development
  • Ability to balance design quality, cost and schedule constraints to meet programme objectives
  • Robust understanding of product design and work package control
  • Familiarity with Mentor Graphics Expedition Enterprise, SIMetrix and LTspice tools
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving and technical communication skills

Benefits:

  • Opportunity to work on innovative defence, aerospace and security projects
  • Exposure to safety-critical electronics and advanced hardware technologies
  • Supportive, multidisciplinary environment

Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer employer: Matchtech Careers

As a Business Reporting Analyst with our client, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and innovation. The company offers excellent employee growth opportunities through continuous training and development, alongside competitive benefits that support work-life balance. Located in a vibrant area, this role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact on business decisions but also provides a supportive environment where your contributions are recognised and valued.

Matchtech Careers

Contact Details:

Matchtech Careers Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer

Join Aerospace Forums and Groups

Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.

Spotlight Your Projects

Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!

Apply Directly on Company Websites

When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Matchtech Careers for a Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer

Electronics Design
Digital Electronics
Analogue Electronics
Systems Engineering
Product Certification (DO-254)
Technical Communication
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Matchtech Careers, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!

Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.

Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Matchtech Careers, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.

Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.

How to prepare for a job interview at Matchtech Careers

Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge

Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Matchtech Careers.

Showcase Your Projects with Confidence

Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Technical Interviews

Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Matchtech Careers. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.

Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills

As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Matchtech Careers love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.