At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative electronic products while collaborating with a dynamic engineering team.
- Company: Join Unipart Rail & Tech, a leader in the rail industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and health initiatives.
- Other info: Experience mentorship from seasoned engineers and enjoy blended working options.
- Why this job: Make an impact in railway signalling engineering and grow your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electronics Engineering and expertise in analogue/digital design required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
Contract type: Full time
Hours: 37 hours per week
Salary: Up to £50,000
Location: Southport
Reporting to the Head of Product Design and Development, you will be a key member of the Design Engineering team, responsible for the analysis, design, development, and continual improvement of innovative electronic products for manufacture, leveraging new and emerging technologies to support the company’s growth objectives.
Working under the guidance of Principal and Senior Engineers, the role requires the delivery of high-quality engineering outputs, including schematics, PCB designs, simulations, calculations, technical specifications, drawings, bills of materials and user manuals to support engineering change and approval processes.
You will actively support the full product lifecycle assessment across the existing product portfolio, managing design modifications, component obsolescence, cost, and reliability improvements. In parallel, you will contribute to project management activities by supporting planning, scheduling and risk management to ensure projects are delivered to agreed time, cost, and quality targets, while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including mechanical, software, manufacturing, and product management, to ensure alignment with product roadmaps and priorities.
Strong engagement with manufacturing is required to drive Design for Manufacture and Test (DFM/DfT), improve build and test processes, enhance product quality, and provide hands-on technical support to resolve production issues. The role also involves coordinating with procurement, supply chain, and vendors to ensure timely sourcing of components and quality for prototyping and production.
The position requires a mid-senior level of expertise in analogue and digital circuit design, PCB layout and review, power electronics, embedded systems, component selection and compliance (e.g. EMC, safety, and relevant regulatory standards), alongside proficiency with CAD and simulation tools, design verification and validation, failure analysis, and lifecycle documentation, complemented by strong communication, problem-solving, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement skills.
This position offers numerous opportunities for professional development, including training programs and workshops to enhance your skills and knowledge in electronics engineering and railway signalling. You will benefit from mentorship by experienced engineers who will guide you through your professional growth and development. The role encourages both autonomy and initiative, allowing you to take ownership of your work and responsibilities. At the same time, you will be an integral part of a collaborative team, contributing to a supportive and dynamic work environment. Demonstrating your skills and dedication can lead to career advancement within the company.
Essential Criteria:
- Degree in Electronics Engineering
- Expertise in both analogue and digital electronic design as well as possessing an excellent knowledge of embedded software (PIC and C).
- Working knowledge of Engineering design systems (Autocad / Cadstar / eCadstar) and design rules
- Experience in product design lifecycle from concept to introduction into manufacturing (ideally in safety critical industry)
- Experience of design office revision control and file management
- Experience in component obsolescence management
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Able to liaise with customers to understand technical requirements
- Strong customer focus
- Passion for producing innovative design solutions
- Excellent team player
- IT literate
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience / knowledge of rail industry standards, SMD LED technology / optical design
- Product safety knowledge EN 50128, EN 50129
- Project Management Experience highly desirable
Why Join Us?
- Innovative Environment: Be part of a team that values creativity and forward-thinking
- Career Growth: Opportunities to advance and become a leader in railway signalling engineering
- Supportive Culture: Work in a collaborative and supportive environment
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Pension and death in service provisions for employees in pension scheme
- 25 Days Hols (plus Bank Holidays)
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Health and Wellbeing Initiatives
- Employee offers and discounts from various retailers
- Cycle to work scheme, recognition events and rewards
- Free car parking
- Blended/hybrid working available
Who are we?
Unipart Rail & Tech is part of the Unipart Group, one of Europe's leading independent logistics companies that employs more than 8,000 employees worldwide and has an annual turnover of more than £1 billion. We have a long heritage in the rail industry based on decades of experience, we have continuous improvement plans to embrace innovation in both products and business techniques to ensure that we remain the first and best choice for our customers. As a valued employee of Unipart, you can look forward to a varied and rewarding career with a company that holds the Investors in People accreditation and also world class status in employee engagement.
Design & Development Engineer employer: Unipart
Unipart Rail & Tech offers an innovative and collaborative work environment where creativity is valued, and employees are encouraged to take ownership of their projects. With a strong focus on career growth, you will benefit from mentorship by experienced engineers and numerous professional development opportunities, all while enjoying competitive benefits such as a generous holiday allowance, health initiatives, and flexible working options in the vibrant location of Southport.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design & Development Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work in design and development. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best projects, including schematics and PCB designs. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common engineering questions and scenarios. Practice explaining your design process and how you've tackled challenges in past projects. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Design & Development Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Design & Development Engineer role. Highlight your expertise in analogue and digital circuit design, as well as any relevant project management experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about electronics engineering and how you can contribute to our innovative environment. Be specific about your achievements and how they align with our goals.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your proficiency with CAD and simulation tools, as well as your experience with the product design lifecycle. We want to see how you can leverage these skills to support our growth objectives.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quicker!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unipart
✨Know Your Electronics Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of both analogue and digital electronic design. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've applied your skills in PCB layout, power electronics, and embedded systems. This will show that you not only understand the theory but also have practical experience.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, be ready to share examples of how you've tackled complex engineering challenges. Highlight your analytical skills and how you've used them to improve product quality or resolve production issues. This is crucial for a role that demands continuous improvement.
✨Familiarise Yourself with DFM/DfT Principles
Since the role involves driving Design for Manufacture and Test, it’s essential to demonstrate your understanding of these principles. Prepare to discuss how you've previously collaborated with manufacturing teams to enhance build processes and product reliability.
✨Engage with Cross-Functional Teams
The job requires collaboration with various teams, so be ready to talk about your experience working with mechanical, software, and product management teams. Share how you’ve ensured alignment with product roadmaps and how effective communication has played a role in your past projects.
