Lead Hardware Engineer – Defence Electronics

About the role

We are seeking a Lead Hardware Engineer to join a leading defence engineering organisation delivering advanced Electronic Warfare and Defensive Aids Systems across air, land and maritime platforms. The role involves designing and delivering mission‑critical hardware throughout the full product lifecycle, from requirements capture to customer acceptance.

Key responsibilities

• Design and develop advanced digital and mixed‑signal hardware, defining FPGA, SoC and processor‑based architectures.
• Create schematics and support high‑speed PCB layout, including DDR, PCIe and Ethernet interfaces.
• Integrate hardware with firmware and software, perform board bring‑up, debugging and fault investigation.
• Lead simulation, verification, validation and qualification activities, including environmental and EMC testing.
• Produce technical documentation and support customer demonstrations and trials.

Required profile

• Active SC Clearance and Sole British National status due to programme security requirements.
• Proven experience in high‑speed digital electronics design within defence, aerospace or other highly regulated sectors.

Required skills

• FPGA and SoC hardware architecture design.
• High‑speed mixed‑signal PCB design and multilayer board assembly.
• Experience with DDR memory, PCIe and Ethernet interfaces.
• Proficiency in Altium Designer, OrCAD or Xpedition.
• Hardware debugging using industry‑standard test equipment.
• Knowledge of signal integrity, power integrity and timing analysis.
• Integration of hardware, firmware and software in embedded systems.
• Familiarity with verification, validation and qualification standards such as DO‑254, DEF STAN or MIL‑STD.

What we offer

• £65 per hour (Inside IR35) on a 12‑month contract.
• Hybrid working model – four days onsite in Luton.
• Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge Electronic Warfare and defence programmes.