Hardware / Firmware Engineer

ZENOVO; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

ZENOVO is seeking a mid-level Hardware Engineer in Cheshire. The role covers full lifecycle from concept to production, including schematic capture, PCB layout, and embedded firmware development in C/C++ for 8-, 16-, and 32-bit MCUs. You will work with analog/digital circuits, CAN/LIN/UART, and collaborate with manufacturing on BOMs and tests.

The position is hybrid (3 days onsite) with a salary up to £55,000 (DOE). A degree in Electronics or related field and 3–5 years' experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electronic Engineering or equivalent.
• 3–5 years' commercial electronics experience.
• Experience taking electronics designs to production.
• Proficient with ECAD tools (Altium/OrCAD/KiCad).
• Embedded firmware development in C/C++.

Responsibilities

• Design analogue and digital circuits including power distribution and control products.
• Produce multi-layer PCB layouts with high-current routing and thermal management.
• Develop, test and maintain embedded firmware in C/C++ for various MCUs.
• Work with CAN, LIN, UART, SPI and I2C embedded communications.
• Support schematic capture, prototype build, and board bring-up.

Skills

Embedded firmware development

C/C++ programming

PCB layout

Schematic capture

Embedded communications (CAN/LIN/UART)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electronic/Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

OrCAD

KiCad

Job description

Job Title: Hardware Engineer

Location: Cheshire (hybrid – 3 days onsite)

Salary: Up to £55,000 (DOE)

We are working with an established engineering business that designs and manufactures specialist electronic systems and control products. Due to continued growth, we’re looking for a mid-level Electronics Design Engineer with experience across both hardware and embedded firmware.

This is a hands‑on, full‑lifecycle engineering position where you will have the opportunity to take designs from initial concept and schematic capture through PCB layout, embedded firmware development, testing, validation and into production.

About The Role

• Designing analogue and digital electronic circuits, including 12V and 24V power distribution, switching, sensing and control products.
• Producing multi-layer PCB layouts, considering high-current power routing, thermal management, EMC performance, creepage and clearance, DFM and design for test.
• Developing, testing and maintaining embedded firmware in C/C++ for 8-, 16- and 32-bit microcontrollers.
• Working with bare-metal and RTOS firmware, including peripheral drivers, interrupts and low-level debugging.
• Working with embedded communications including CAN, LIN, UART, SPI and I²C.
• Supporting schematic capture, prototype build, board bring-up and debugging.
• Translating customer and end-user requirements into practical electronic and embedded system designs.
• Planning and carrying out bench, environmental and EMC testing.
• Using laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, CAN analysers, load banks and in‑circuit debuggers.
• Supporting products through validation and into production release.
• Working with manufacturing, quality and purchasing on BOMs, component selection, obsolescence, test fixtures and first-article inspection.
• Supporting the investigation and resolution of technical and field issues.
• Participating in design reviews and contributing to technical decisions within a small R&D team.

About You

• A degree in Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• 3–5 years' commercial experience designing electronics products.
• Experience taking at least one electronics design through to production.
• Strong schematic capture and multi-layer PCB layout experience using a professional ECAD package such as Altium Designer, OrCAD, KiCad or similar.
• Practical embedded firmware development in C or C++ on microcontrollers.
• Experience with peripheral drivers, interrupts and low-level debugging.
• An understanding of automotive electrical environments, or an interest in developing this knowledge.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while working to deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical designs clearly.

Please note, we cannot offer sponsorship for this position.