Hardware Design Engineer

Sky Spy Inc; München; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Above-market salary

Company equity package

Dynamic and flexible work schedule

Job summary

Sky Spy Inc. seeks a Hardware Design Engineer to develop electronic devices that blend analog and digital circuitry. You will participate in the full hardware cycle, from requirements analysis through schematic design, PCB layout, prototype debugging, and manufacturing documentation.

The ideal candidate has hands-on analog and digital circuit experience and a strong grasp of signal quality, EMI/EMC, and reliability. This is a full-time hybrid role based in Germany.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Hands-on schematic design and independent PCB layout experience.
• Strong knowledge of analog and digital circuit design and their interaction.
• Familiarity with PCB layout principles, SI/PI, and EMC considerations.

Responsibilities

• Design schematics for analog, digital, and mixed-signal devices.
• Independently design and layout PCBs with proper routing and stack-up.
• Develop analog signal chains, sensors interfaces, and conditioning circuits.
• Develop digital signal chains using MCUs, FPGAs, and data interfaces; ensure interfacing with optics and RF subsystems.
• Ensure signal integrity, power integrity, and EMC compliance across designs.
• Prepare manufacturing files, BOMs, and documentation; support DRC checks.
• Debug prototypes, perform lab measurements, and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with software, manufacturing, and other engineering teams.

Skills

Analog and digital circuit design

PCB design

Signal integrity/EMC

System architecture analysis

Education

Degree in Electronics Engineering or related field

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro/OrCAD

KiCad

Job description

Field:Electronic hardware development,analogand digital circuit design, mixed-signal systems, and PCB design.

About the Role

We are looking for a Hardware Design Engineer to develop electronic devices combining analog and digital circuitry. The successful candidate will be involved in the full hardware development cycle, fromanalyzingtechnical requirements, defining system architecture, and designing schematics to PCB design and layout, prototype debugging, and preparation of manufacturing documentation.

We are looking for an engineer with hands-on experience inanalogand digital circuit design, a solid understanding of how these domains interact, and the ability to independently design PCBs while meeting signal quality, electromagnetic compatibility, and reliability requirements.

Location

This is a full-time, hybrid role based in Germany.

Responsibilities

• Design schematics foranalog, digital, and mixed-signal electronic devices.
• Independently design and layout printed circuit boards (PCB layout), including component placement, signal routing, multilayer PCB design, and stack-up definition.
• Designanalogsignal chains, including amplifiers, filters, measurement circuits, sensor interfaces, and signal conditioning circuits.
• Design digital signal chains based on microcontrollers, FPGAs, logic components, ADCs/DACs, and digital interfaces, including interfacing, clocking, and data transfer betweenanalogand digital subsystems.
• Ensure proper interaction betweenanalogand digital signal chains and minimize crosstalk, interference, and signal degradation.
• Design power supply, voltage regulation, filtering, protection, and decoupling circuits foranalogand digital components.
• Ensure signal integrity (SI), power integrity (PI), and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC/EMI).
• Apply best practices for component placement, grounding, return current paths, differential pair routing, and impedance matching.
• Select electronic components based on electrical characteristics, accuracy, noise performance, temperature stability, availability, and cost.
• Perform circuit calculations, simulations, and analysis ofanalogand digital circuits.
• Verify PCB designs before manufacturing, perform design rule checks (DRC), and prepare manufacturing files, including Gerber/ODB++, NC Drill, bill of materials (BOM), and assembly documentation.
• Bring up and debug prototypes, perform laboratory measurements, diagnose hardware issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare technical and engineering documentation.
• Collaborate with embedded software developers, manufacturing teams, and other engineering specialists.

Requirements

• Degree in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Radio Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Hands-on experience in schematic design and independent PCB layout.
• Strong knowledge ofanalogand digital circuit design, including the principles ofanalogand digital signal chain architecture and their interaction.
• Understanding ofanalogsignal chain characteristics, including gain, bandwidth, noise, offset, linearity, input/output impedance, filtering, and stability.
• Understanding of digital signal chain design, logic levels, timing requirements, clocking, and data transmission.
• Knowledge of ADC/DAC operating principles and the requirements for integrating them into mixed-signal systems.
• Understanding of interfacinganaloginput/output stages with data converters, including filtering, reference voltages, clocking, and noise performance.
• Solid knowledge of PCB layout principles, including component placement, routing, multilayer PCB design, stack-up, copper pours, grounding, power decoupling, and return current management.
• Understanding of parasitic capacitance and inductance, crosstalk, impedance matching, signal integrity, and electromagnetic compatibility.
• Experience with electronic design automation (EDA) tools such asAltiumDesigner, Cadence Allegro/OrCAD,KiCad, or equivalent.
• Ability to read and interpret component datasheets, reference designs, and application notes.
• Hands-on laboratory experience using oscilloscopes,multimeters, signal generators, and other electronic measurement equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot hardware issues,identifyroot causes, and justify technical decisions.
• A systematic engineeringmindset, attention to detail, and the ability to independently take a design from schematic to a working prototype.

Nice to Have

• Experience designing high-speed digital interfaces such as USB, Ethernet,PCIe, DDR, and similar technologies.
• Experience working with high-speed ADCs/DACs and data transmission interfaces.
• Experience designing low-noiseanalogsignal chains, precision measurement systems, and data acquisition devices.
• Experience designing switching power supplies and circuits with demanding accuracy and stability requirements.
• Familiarity with SPICE simulation and signal integrity/power integrity analysis tools.
• Experience with EMC/EMI testing and troubleshooting compliance issues.
• Experience preparing electronic products for volume production and working with contract PCB and PCBA manufacturers.

About Sky Spy

Sky Spy is a fast-growing dual-use startup developing next-generation RF intelligence solutions for contested environments. We are backed by leading European VCs, combat veterans, and technologists. Our mission is to deliver intelligence that saves lives and empowers allied forces worldwide.

What We Offer

• Above-market salary.
• Company equity package.
• Dynamic and flexible work schedule.
• The opportunity to contribute directly to meaningful technology that protects lives.