Electronics Engineer

Join Smartbox and make a meaningful impact as our newest team member!
Are you a passionate Electronics Engineer who wants to play a part in creating technology that gives a voice to those without speech? Smartbox is seeking a dedicated and talented individual like you to join our team and make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
At Smartbox, we take pride in being a leading company in assistive communication technology. Our innovative products, combining specialised hardware, advanced software, and engaging content, are used by individuals with diverse needs worldwide. All around the world, our products, accomplishments and aspirations are a reflection of our teams\’ values: passionate, caring, empowering, achieving together and enabling change.
We believe that everyone deserves a voice, and our inclusive culture reflects this belief. By joining Smartbox, you will become part of a team that values diversity, fosters collaboration, and supports a community of users who rely on our technology to communicate effectively.
In addition to the rewarding nature of our work, you will collaborate with talented professionals who share a common goal of pushing the boundaries of innovation while considering the environmental impact of our products and processes. We strive to develop sustainable solutions that minimise our carbon footprint and promote a greener world. By joining Smartbox, you will have the chance to shape a more inclusive society while actively contributing to our sustainability efforts. Together, let\’s make a difference that extends beyond communication technology and leaves a positive mark on our planet.
How will you be making a difference?

• Circuit Design: Design a broad range of digital, power (DC-DC, battery charging, battery protection), and mixed-signal circuits for our next-generation tablet computers.
• PCB Layout: Create PCB layouts (2-6 layers) with Altium Designer for upcoming products and internal development boards.
• Firmware Development: Write firmware based on Zephyr RTOS for Nordic and STM32 microcontrollers. Collaborating with our firmware engineers with a focus on board bring-up, with the potential to expand into higher-level firmware development.
• Technical Strategy: Execute and collaborate on our strategy for highly reliable, mission-critical hardware and firmware.
• Validation & Debugging: Implement and improve our device test plans, debugging, and validate upcoming hardware and firmware.
• Quality Assurance: Promptly analyse and correct quality issues.
• Component Management: Carefully selecting components based on cost, availability, longevity, and performance. Managing BOMs and adopting version & change control throughout the product lifecycle.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working closely with mechanical, product, and manufacturing teams to deliver fully integrated assistive devices by participating in design reviews, risk assessments, and root cause investigations.

The successful applicant will also be asked to perform other duties on an ad-hoc basis and will need a proactive attitude to this.
Essential Qualifications/skills/experience

• Bachelor\’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• 3 year or more experience in design, simulation, analysis and test of electronics systems.
• Experience in design of embedded circuits, including strong understanding of common embedded interfaces such as USB, I2C, SPI, UART, GPIO, and ADC/DACs.
• Experience in SMPS, DC-DC converters, battery charging circuits, or similar power electronics for embedded systems.
• Schematic capture and PCB design, preferably with Altium Designer.
• Low-level embedded firmware development in C, C++, or Rust.
• A passion for improving lives through assistive technology.
• A collaborative and supportive team player – prioritises team success above individual recognition, contributing actively to shared goals and supporting colleagues across disciplines.
• Practical, proactive mindset – comfortable taking initiative and working through ambiguity in a fast-moving team.
• Confident working in the lab – using oscilloscopes, mustimeters, logic analysers, power supplies, etc.
• Experience collaborating with firmware, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to deliver integrated, production-ready products.
• Attention to detail in documentation – including git version control, BOM management, and design reviews.

Useful Qualifications/skills/experience

• Experience in medical, automotive, aerospace, or other regulated industries.
• Proficiency with Altium Designer.
• EMC debugging and certification experience.
• Experience with designing audio circuits.
• Experience with low-power wireless technologies (e.g., Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi, cellular).
• DFM (Design for Manufacturing) of PCB.
• Experience using SolidWorks or Fusion 360.

Additional information:

• In this role, you will have the flexibility to work between your home and our office locations in Malvern and Bristol. For this role, we require the candidate to work in the Bristol office twice a week as a minimum.
• You will need to maintain a deep understanding and knowledge of all our products and their uses.
• You will meet and keep in regular contact with other teams in the business.

Why join us?
Here at Smartbox, we are positive and inclusive about making adjustments, providing flexible working, and encouraging all staff to engage in a diverse range of year-round learning and personal development opportunities. In addition, you will work alongside highly motivated colleagues in an environment of strong teamwork whilst also having fun. This is a hugely rewarding role and a career to be proud of where every day you will go home knowing you made a positive difference in the lives of disabled people.
Rewards and benefits
At Smartbox our employees always do their best, which is why we give so much in return. In addition to your competitive salary, private medical insurance, and whooping 25 days of holiday plus public holidays, we\’ll shower you with perks, including:
Dress: We want you to feel comfortable in the office, smart casual is perfect.
Food: You can find free healthy office snacks in our kitchens.
Hybrid working: Two days a week in the office, for the rest of the week feel free to skip the commute and hit your deadlines from home. Laptop and home working IT kit provided.
Flexible work schedule: balance is key to innovation, and we want to make sure you are at the top of your game with a schedule that will work for you (prior agreement from your line manager is required).
Give back to the community: Each year every member of staff will get the opportunity to spend one paid day volunteering for a good cause of their choice.
You, our best asset: We believe in investing in you and your development. Stay with us and grow with us! We will reward you with more holidays for your long service!
Wellness: Stretch away the stress every morning with our online trainers, available via our cooperative perk website or hit the gym. We provide gym discounts too!
Wellbeing: You gain unlimited access to a benefit and Wellbeing app Yulife, providing store discounts and wellbeing services.
Mental health: You will have access to the 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for a wide range of support, advice and resources about Family, Health, Life, Money and Work.
Peace of mind: Every employee benefit from a company pension, group life assurance, and income protection.
Fun: Complimentary theatre and cinema tickets to Malvern Theatres. We organise many free social events including team outings and get-togethers.
Eco-friendly: You can sign up for a cycle scheme (save 25%-39% on a new bike or E-bike by cycling to work), or lease an electric car through a salary sacrifice scheme after 2 years of service.
Bonus potential: We work hard and Smartbox recognizes that with a discretionary annual bonus.
Finances: Enjoy a wide variety of savings and discounts with Corporate Perks. You can save on electronics, food shopping, fashion, fitness, entertainment and all things travel.
Our Commitments
At Smartbox, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment where every individual\’s unique background and perspective are valued and respected, but how are we doing it?
We are proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status by the UK Government\’s Department of Work and Pensions. We are also the Founding Partner of Purple Tuesday. You can find out more on thinksmartbox.com.
We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment practices are barrier-free and as inclusive as possible. This includes making adjustments during the job application process and throughout your future career with us. Please email [email protected] to discuss any such adjustments that we can make.
At Smartbox, it\’s not about fitting into our culture – it\’s about adding to it. Our diverse team brings together unique talents and inspires each other to create amazing products that reflect the diversity of our users and customers.
We\’d love to hear from you
Our ever-evolving team powers the business across the world and brings the next generation of AAC solutions to life. Together we experiment, innovate and create across the full product lifecycle. And, in a collaborative and close-knit culture, we support each other to search for better. We support our community and contribute to a sustainable future for our business and the planet.
Join us as an Electronics Engineer and take our technology and your career into new territories.
Share your operational expertise and passion for making an impact within your cover letter and CV. We look forward to receiving your application.
For a full job description, please visit: https://thinksmartbox.com/join-the-team/
Agencies
Please respect that at this current time, we wish to try and recruit directly from the market rather than engage support from an agency.