Lead Hardware Engineer

Matchtech; Bradley Stoke; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking a Lead Hardware Engineer (Electronic Warfare) based in Bristol with hybrid working. This role acts as the UK technical authority for hardware across a sophisticated EW product portfolio, driving hardware strategy and architecture while leading firmware and RF development efforts.

You will collaborate with international teams to translate EW concepts into deployable hardware and ensure alignment with customer and regulatory requirements, delivering robust, innovative

Qualifications

• Experience applying systems engineering principles in defence/EW environments.
• Strong expertise across RF systems, signal conditioning, and jamming technologies.
• Firmware development and hardware architecture know-how.
• Ability to lead hardware activities and act as technical authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware and firmware development across RF and EW systems.
• Provide UK-based technical authority for hardware within EW product teams.
• Collaborate with international engineering teams to translate concepts into deployable hardware.
• Produce technical reports, briefings and risk mitigations for stakeholders.
• Drive innovation and ensure compliance with customer, regulatory and safety requirements.

Skills

Systems engineering

Electronic Warfare

RF technologies

Signal processing

Firmware development

Hardware architecture

Technical leadership

Stakeholder communication

Job description

Lead Hardware Engineer (Electronic Warfare)

Bristol based Hybrid

SC Clearance eligibility Required

Shape the Future of Electronic Warfare Technology

We're looking for an experienced Lead Hardware Engineer to become the UK technical authority for hardware within a cutting-edge Electronic Warfare (EW) product team.

This is a unique opportunity for a highly technical engineer with expertise across RF systems, signal processing, firmware and hardware architecture to take ownership of the hardware roadmap for advanced EW capabilities. Working closely with international engineering teams, you will play a key role in translating complex EW concepts and technologies into deployable hardware solutions, ensuring products meet customer, operational and regulatory requirements.

If you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, influencing future capability development, and acting as the go-to expert within a specialist engineering environment, we'd love to hear from you.

The Role

As the Lead Hardware Engineer, you will serve as the primary UK-based authority for hardware, firmware and system-level functionality across a sophisticated Electronic Warfare product portfolio.

You will provide technical leadership across RF technologies, signal conditioning, jamming, data processing and high-level hardware design while working closely with stakeholders and engineering teams to deliver innovative solutions.

This is a standalone technical leadership role with significant influence across current and future programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and support of system hardware and firmware solutions.
• Provide subject matter expertise across:
  • Radio Frequency (RF) systems
  • RF signal conditioning
  • Electronic Warfare technologies
  • Jamming systems
  • Signal and data processing
  • Hardware architecture
• Act as the technical lead for hardware activities across active programmes.
• Collaborate with international engineering teams to transfer technology into deployable hardware products.
• Support the integration of hardware and software applications through robust interface design.
• Guide product development activities to ensure solutions meet customer, business and regulatory requirements.
• Produce and present technical reports, briefings and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Support bids, proposals and future product development initiatives.
• Identify technical risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement across hardware design and development activities.

About You

We're looking for a technically credible engineer who can operate at both strategic and hands-on levels.

You will bring:

• Proven experience applying systems engineering principles and practices
• Strong technical expertise in:
  • Electronic Warfare (EW)
  • Radio Frequency (RF) systems
  • RF signal conditioning
  • Signal and data processing
  • Jamming technologies
  • Firmware development
  • Hardware architecture
• Experience working within defence, naval or EW environments
• The ability to communicate complex technical concepts to a range of stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Experience influencing multidisciplinary engineering teams
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to act as a technical authority

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to become the UK technical authority for hardware within a specialist EW product area.
• Work on advanced defence and naval technologies.
• Influence future capability development and product strategy.
• Collaborate with highly skilled international engineering teams.
• Significant technical ownership and autonomy.
• Bristol-based role with no regular travel requirements.