Lead Electronics Engineer

The HR Guru; Derby; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering team is looking for a Lead Electronics Engineer to deliver high-reliability electronic solutions for the UK rail industry. This hands-on role involves the full product lifecycle from design to diagnostics, with a focus on safety and compliance. The successful candidate will lead projects and mentor junior engineers, contributing to innovative solutions in a critical sector.

Benefits

37-hour work week with early Friday finish

28 days holiday including bank holidays

Long-term career development

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in electronic hardware and firmware development.
• Strong track record in high-reliability/safety-critical industries.
• Practical workshop skills including soldering and wiring harness design.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of electronic hardware and firmware projects.
• Develop embedded firmware in C, C++, and/or Python.
• Supervise junior engineers and apprentices.

Skills

Analogue/Digital Electronics

PCB Layout

Embedded Firmware Development

Diagnostics

Customer Liaison

Education

Degree in Electronic/Electrical Engineering

Tools

KiCad

Altium

SPICE

Matlab

Simulink

Job description

Lead Electronics Engineer
Derby (On-site; must be within a commutable distance)
Full-Time GBP40,000 GBP50,000 per annum (Depending on Experience)

Position Overview

We are seeking a technically accomplished Lead Electronics Engineer to join a growing engineering team delivering robust, high-reliability electronic solutions to the UK rail industry. This is a hands-on role covering the full product lifecycle from concept, design, and embedded firmware development through to fault diagnostics and legacy system refurbishment.

The successful candidate will work across a range of rolling stock, traction, and control systems, often where components are obsolete and require creative engineering approaches. You ll operate in a safety-critical environment where best practice, quality, and compliance matter and where your experience and judgement will be trusted to lead both projects and people.

Why Join

• Competitive salary of GBP40,000 GBP50,000 depending on experience.
• 37-hour work week with an early Friday finish.
• 28 days holiday (including bank holidays), with Christmas shutdown.
• Technical leadership within a highly respected team supporting national rail infrastructure.
• Long-term career development with continued investment in R&D and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of electronic hardware and firmware projects for rail-based systems.
• Design, prototype and layout analogue and digital circuits (including high-speed designs).
• Develop embedded firmware in C, C++ and/or Python for 8-bit and 32-bit microcontrollers (PIC, AVR, ARM, TMS320).
• Carry out detailed diagnostics, reverse engineering and repair of legacy or obsolete systems.
• Use simulation and modelling tools (SPICE, Matlab, Simulink) to optimise control and thermal performance.
• Supervise junior engineers and apprentices, fostering a strong safety-first engineering culture.
• Implement safe working practices when handling high-voltage or high-power systems.
• Liaise directly with customers to gather requirements, assess feasibility, and manage expectations.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Electronic/Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant hands-on experience in electronic hardware and firmware development.
• Strong track record in the rail sector or other high-reliability/safety-critical industries.
• Solid knowledge of analogue/digital electronics, PCB layout (KiCad, Altium or equivalent), and schematic capture.
• Experience working with high-voltage or high-power rail electronics (e.g. traction inverters, power converters).
• Appreciation of a strong safety culture : safe use of power tools, voltages, and high-power plant, with ability to lead by example.
• Understanding of risk assessment methods and safe systems of work.
• Proven ability to liaise with customers and manage technical communications clearly and effectively.
• Practical workshop skills, SMD and through-hole soldering, wiring harness design/assembly, crimping, and machining.

Desirable Technical Skills

• Experience organising and delivering complex hardware and/or firmware projects without compromising performance.
• Knowledge of control systems theory (H , LQR, etc.).
• Firmware development to industry quality standards (e.g. MISRA).
• Familiarity with in-system debugging tools (JTAG, SWD).
• Experience developing high-reliability or mission-critical systems for rail, defense, medical or nuclear sectors.
• Competence with diagnosing and restoring obsolete or unsupported equipment.

How to Apply

If you are a skilled electronics engineer ready to take the lead on critical rail projects, we d love to hear from you.

Apply today via The HR Guru.