Electronics Hardware Engineer Engineering, Manufacture, Production

From the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on earth, to surging shorelines and anywhere in-between, we make the impossible possible through our continuous passion for innovation. Our people design, engineer and manufacture technologies that are enabling our customers to discover, navigate, measure, detect and communicate in the toughest environment on earth: Our oceans. We’ve been actively developing the technology to make the oceans accessible for over 50 years and we’re only just getting started.

At Sonardyne, we value different ways of thinking. Whether you think in code, patterns, systems, or steps, your unique perspective is important to us. We design and deliver advanced subsea technologies that enable exploration, communication, navigation, and autonomy in some of the harshest environments on Earth.

As a Senior Electronics Hardware Engineer, you will contribute directly to the development of acoustic modems, Doppler Velocity Logs, ultra‑low‑power data loggers, smart sensors, and a wide range of intelligent subsea instrumentation. This is a hands‑on role with direct impact on product capability, innovation velocity, and long-term reliability.

Role Purpose

You will lead the design and development of electronics hardware across multiple product lines. This includes mixed‑signal circuit design (analogue front ends, FPGA/MPU systems, sensor interfaces), power‑efficient architectures, noise‑optimised designs, and embedded firmware development. You will collaborate closely with mechanical, software, and systems engineers, ensuring that designs are robust, manufacturable, compliant, and well‑documented.

If you join, your key responsibilities will be:

• Lead the electronics design of new subsea products, acting as technical authority for hardware decisions.
• Design mixed-signal electronics including analogue circuitry, sensor interfaces, FPGA‑based systems, processors, and low‑power architectures.
• Develop embedded C and C++ firmware, including board bring‑up, diagnostics, and feature implementation.
• Perform hands‑on troubleshooting, debugging, and optimisation of prototypes and production boards.
• Plan and conduct EMC testing, ensuring designs meet EN60945 Maritime standards and other applicable global regulations.
• Produce clear documentation: schematics, design reports, test plans, interface specifications, analysis notes, and manufacturing support documentation.
• Support production engineering with investigations, component obsolescence issues, and design improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement by championing modern design practices, new toolsets, and emerging technologies.

Why this role matters

Your designs will directly influence product performance, manufacturability, longevity, and field reliability. As a senior member of the team, you will provide mentoring and technical leadership, helping shape architectural choices and engineering best practices across the department. Although you will not have formal line management responsibilities, you will play a central role in guiding engineering direction and ensuring product excellence.

Ideally we would like:

• Expert analogue and digital electronics design, including simulation, modelling, and noise‑aware design.
• Competent in EMC design techniques, with understanding of maritime standards such as EN60945.
• Proficient with Altium Designer: schematic capture, library management, and PCB design principles.
• Strong embedded C programming skills; able to implement features, develop board support code, and debug system‑level issues.
• Basic familiarity with C++ and object‑oriented concepts.
• Skilled in documenting designs with clarity, structure, and engineering rigour.
• Effective communicator with strong teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines.

2:1 or above in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Embedded Systems, or a closely related discipline. Equivalent industry experience will also be considered.

Location and Requirements

This role is based at Sonardyne Blackbushe. Occasional travel is required—for example, to the Plymouth sea trials site. No offshore certification or regular medical is required.

Why Join Us?

If you want to help deliver innovative subsea technologies that make a real impact in marine, defence, offshore, and science industries, this role offers the chance to work at the forefront of ocean engineering with a team that values quality, curiosity, and technical excellence.