Lead Electronics Engineer

GET STAFFED ONLINE RECRUITMENT LIMITED; Derby; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK rail industry is seeking a Lead Electronics Engineer to join their team in Derby. This role involves overseeing the design and delivery of electronic solutions, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and mentoring junior engineers. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in electronic hardware and firmware development, particularly within high-reliability sectors. Join a respected team dedicated to innovation and long-term career development.

Benefits

37-hour work week with early Friday finish

28 days holiday with Christmas shutdown

Technical leadership opportunities

Long-term career development

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of electronic hardware and firmware projects for rail-based systems.
• Supervise junior engineers and apprentices, fostering a strong safety-first engineering culture.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

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 | £40,000 – £50,000 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 £40,000–£50,000 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.