Graduate Hardware Design Engineer

The Pickering Group Ltd is a multinational group of electronics manufacturers headquartered in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, UK, with worldwide operations. The Group comprises three companies: Pickering Electronics, which manufactures reed relays; Pickering Interfaces, which produces switching systems; and Pickering Connect, which supplies supporting cables and connectors. Pickering employs about 600 people across two manufacturing facilities in the UK and the Czech Republic, along with over nine direct sales and support offices throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. All three companies are known for delivering innovative, high-quality products for the test and measurement industry—a sector experiencing significant growth driven by rapid technological advancement, increasing global regulation, and the rising complexity of electronic products.

What You Can Expect as a Graduate Hardware Design Engineer: The Graduate Hardware Design Engineer contributes to the design, development, and validation of electronic hardware solutions for our portfolio of high-performance products. Working alongside experienced engineers, you will gain hands‑on experience across the full product lifecycle, developing the skills required to take on technical leadership in future projects. This position offers an excellent opportunity to build a strong foundation in hardware engineering within a supportive and innovative environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with Product Management to define product/design specifications.
• Lead in the design and validation of product update projects.
• Create detailed schematics and PCB layouts using Altium designer.
• Develop and execute test plans for prototypes and final products.
• Conduct hardware debugging using test equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, DMMs).
• Collaborate with the mechanical and software teams to ensure effective hardware/software integration.
• Work closely with cross‑functional teams, including software, mechanical, test, NPI and manufacturing to ensure efficient delivery of projects.
• Create and maintain detailed technical documentation.
• Support cross functional product documentation creation.
• Support products through full product lifecycle, from initial concept through to end of life.
• Provide support to Production for released products.
• Provide support to sales team(s)/customers for a variety of products.
• Continue personal development by participating in training courses, seminars.
• Visit trade shows to gain appreciation of the marketplace.
• Assist with internal/external quality system audits.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Degree in Electronic Engineering, or industry experience to a comparable level.
• Experience: Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout tools. Hands‑on experience with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, spectrum analyzers) and experience working in multi‑disciplinary team.
• Skills/Competencies: Communication, problem‑solving, technical skills.

What You Can Expect from Pickering:

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Buying and selling holiday. Employees can buy up to 10 days.
• Life Insurance x4 annual salary (Capped at £50k per annum).
• Corporate membership at the local gym and spa.
• A thorough induction program, including a Pickering Pal being assigned to you to ensure you feel welcome and to check in on you during your probation.
• Regular reviews and performance related pay increases (subject to business conditions).
• Employee wellbeing and mental health support through our partnership with Mind.
• Wellbeing Program with Spa Medical.
• Paid company social events such as a summer festival and Christmas party.
• Training programmes.
• Sponsoring further education.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme.
• Free tea, coffee, and fresh fruit.

This role description is intended to provide a general overview of the role and its responsibilities. It is not exhaustive and may be subject to change to meet the needs of Pickering.