Hardware Design Engineer

VAEngineering; Wachtebeke; Remote; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

VAEngineering is seeking a Hardware Design Engineer to develop reliable electronic hardware from concept to production. You will work on schematic design, PCB layout, prototyping, testing and validation, collaborating closely with firmware and other hardware engineers to turn ideas into robust products.

The role emphasizes ownership, practical problem solving, and a hands-on approach to engineering, with opportunities to contribute to design-for-manufacturing and certification activities.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of electronic circuit design (analog and/or digital).
• Hands-on prototyping and hardware debugging.
• Experience with schematic capture and PCB design in professional EDA tools.

Responsibilities

• Design analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits for diverse applications.
• Develop and optimize multilayer PCB designs using Altium Designer.
• Choose components based on performance, reliability, availability and cost.
• Design and integrate interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, USB, Ethernet, MIPI) per project.
• Measure, troubleshoot and verify circuit performance with lab equipment.
• Apply EMC/EMI and DFM principles for robust designs.
• Participate in peer reviews and document design decisions.
• Support transition from prototypes to production.

Skills

Schematic design

Analog and digital

PCB layout

Testing & validation

Team collaboration

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

About VAEngineering

At VAEngineering, we design and develop high-tech electronic products from concept to production. Our expertise spans the entire product lifecycle, including system architecture, hardware design, firmware development, embedded Linux, testing, certification, and manufacturing support.

We work across diverse industries, including space, robotics, medical technology, and consumer electronics, developing reliable products for demanding applications.

What sets us apart is our approach to engineering. We combine structured development processes, peer reviews, and automation to continuously improve quality and efficiency. Our ambition is to set the benchmark for quality in electronics and firmware development.

About the Role

We are looking for a Hardware Design Engineer to develop reliable, high-quality electronic hardware for challenging applications.

You will work on schematic design, PCB layout, prototyping, testing, and validation, collaborating closely with firmware and other hardware engineers to turn ideas into production-ready products.

We value engineers who enjoy solving complex problems, take ownership of their work, and combine technical creativity with a practical, hands-on approach.

Your Responsibilities

• Design analog, digital, and mixed-signal electronic circuits for a wide range of applications.
• Develop and optimize multilayer PCB designs using Altium Designer.
• Select and evaluate electronic components based on performance, reliability, availability, and cost.
• Design and integrate communication interfaces such as SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, USB, Ethernet, and MIPI, depending on project requirements.
• Perform measurements, troubleshoot hardware issues, and verify circuit performance using laboratory equipment.
• Apply EMC/EMI, signal integrity, and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) principles to ensure robust and reliable designs.
• Participate in peer reviews, document design decisions, and contribute to continuous improvements in our engineering processes.
• Support certification activities and the transition from prototypes to series production.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a technically curious engineer who enjoys developing electronic products and turning complex challenges into practical solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of electronic circuit design, including analog and/or digital electronics.
• Experience with schematic capture and PCB design using Altium Designer or similar professional EDA software.
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, laboratory equipment, electronic measurements, and hardware debugging.
• Basic understanding of EMC/EMI considerations and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) principles.
• Good communication skills and the ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary engineering team.

Nice to Have

• Experience with high-speed or mixed-signal PCB design, signal integrity, or interfaces such as MIPI, USB, and Ethernet.
• Knowledge of power electronics, DC/DC converters, power management, and battery-powered systems.
• Familiarity with EMC/EMI design techniques, pre-compliance testing, and certification processes.
• Familiarity with PCB manufacturing, assembly processes, and design for manufacturing (DFM).
• Experience with microcontrollers and embedded platforms such as STM32, ESP32, or Nordic nRF.

Don't meet every requirement? If you have a strong foundation in electronics, enjoy solving technical challenges, and are motivated to learn, we'd still love to hear from you.

What We Offer

• Challenging projects: Work on advanced electronic products across diverse industries, each bringing new technical challenges.
• Ownership and autonomy: Take responsibility for your designs, contribute ideas, and influence technical decisions.
• Focus on engineering quality: Work with structured development processes, peer reviews, automated design checks, and modern engineering tools.
• Continuous learning: Expand your expertise through new technologies, hands-on experience, and collaboration with experienced engineers.
• Collaborative environment: Join an informal, supportive team where knowledge sharing and technical problem-solving are part of everyday work.
• Real-world impact: Follow your designs from initial concept through prototyping and validation to real products in the field.