Principal Electronics Engineer

Our client operates in the defence and security sector, designing and sustaining complex antenna systems and products for demanding aerospace environments. They are seeking a Principal Electronics Engineer and Capability Lead to join their Antennas Business Unit in Marlow on a permanent basis, providing technical leadership across the full electronics development lifecycle while supporting the professional development of the design team.

• Design, develop, simulate, prototype, optimise and test innovative antenna electronics solutions
• Capture, analyse, review and substantiate technical requirements with customers and internal stakeholders
• Lead product characterisation, verification and qualification activities to ensure compliance with requirements
• Provide technical leadership across high-speed digital, FPGA, CPLD, microprocessor, power supply and interface bus designs, including SPI and I2C
• Manage bids, develop concept designs, prepare technical proposals and produce project-level estimates to support new business
• Develop project plans and work package estimates with Project Managers, providing progress updates and identifying risks
• Line manage and mentor Electronics Engineers, including objective setting, performance reviews, workload planning and professional development
• Define electronics design processes, standards and best practices while supporting obsolescence management, technology roadmaps and supplier oversight

• Degree-level qualification or higher in Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline
• Significant experience in electronic hardware design, covering requirements capture, schematic development, circuit simulation, component selection and design reviews
• Knowledge of high-speed digital technologies, FPGA and CPLD design, microprocessors, power supplies and electronic interfaces
• Experience with electronics design tools for schematic capture, circuit simulation and PCB layout; Altium experience would be advantageous
• Practical experience in board bring-up, fault finding and laboratory testing using oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, signal generators and power supplies
• Understanding of EMC and EMI principles for aerospace electronic systems
• Working knowledge of C and VHDL development processes, embedded systems integration and software and FPGA verification lifecycles
• Awareness of automated test and verification using LabVIEW and National Instruments PXI-based test systems

• Experience leading or line managing a small engineering team, including mentoring, career development, performance management and workload planning
• Experience with resource estimation, work package management, project planning, risk identification and progress reporting
• Experience working in Agile and project-managed environments, with familiarity using Jira for work package management, issue tracking and collaboration
• Understanding of configuration management and version control systems such as Git or SVN
• Experience supporting prototype evaluation, qualification testing, production support and through-life product maintenance
• Knowledge of aerospace engineering standards and processes, including AS9100, ARP4754A, DO-254 and DO-178
• Experience conducting root cause investigations and failure analysis of electronic assemblies and systems
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence customers, suppliers and multidisciplinary teams

• The opportunity to work on advanced antenna systems within the defence, security and aerospace sector
• Technical and people leadership responsibilities with scope to shape engineering capability
• Professional development, mentoring and opportunities to support the growth of engineering talent
• Involvement in innovative product design, emerging technologies and full product lifecycle activities
• A collaborative environment focused on engineering quality, continual improvement and successful project delivery

If you are an experienced Principal Electronics Engineer with strong Electrical Engineering expertise and the leadership skills to develop both products and people, apply now to take on this influential opportunity in Marlow.