Lead Hardware Engineer

Zenovo; Rawtenstall; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology manufacturer in the UK is seeking a Lead Hardware Engineer to enhance their product development. This role involves taking ownership of hardware design for embedded systems, collaborating with firmware engineers, and driving compliance throughout the development process. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in PCB design and analogue systems. The position offers a competitive salary up to £75,000 with opportunities for hybrid working and influence over product architecture.

Benefits

Flexible hours

Modern labs

Senior-level influence on architecture

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in hardware engineering with a focus on embedded systems.
• Pragmatic approach to EMI/EMC challenges and solutions.
• Experience with schematic capture and component selection.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end hardware development for embedded systems.
• Collaborate with firmware engineers to define interfaces.
• Drive EMC/EMI compliance from design to testing.

Skills

Solid PCB design / layout awareness

Analogue design skills

Strong system design experience

Knowledge of industrial and peripheral interfaces

Integrating modular comms

Tools

Logic analyzers

JTAG tools

Job description

Lead Hardware Engineer

Location : Blackburn (hybrid - 1 day onsite per week)

Salary : up to £75,000 + benefits

The company

A long-established technology manufacturer designing and building intelligent electronic products for global markets. With a strong, multi-year roadmap, they’re investing in R&D and strengthening their hardware capability.

The role

You’ll be the go-to hardware specialist in a close-knit product team, taking ownership of system-level design and collaborating daily with embedded firmware engineers. Expect a hands-on role spanning concept, schematic, layout input, bring-up, EMC, and release to manufacture.

What you’ll be doing

• End-to-end hardware development for embedded systems (schematic capture, component selection, DfM / DfT, verification).
• Board bring-up, lab debugging, and problem-solving using scopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG tools.
• Partnering with firmware to define interfaces, power budgets, and test strategies.
• Driving EMC / EMI compliance from design-through to test and sign-off.
• Supporting NPI, test fixtures, documentation, and sustaining engineering as products scale.

What you’ll need

• Solid PCB design / layout awareness with a pragmatic approach to EMC / EMI.
• Analogue design skills (sensors / ADC interfacing, DC / DC power stages).
• Strong system design experience with single-chip MCUs (e.g. Renesas M16C, TI MSP430, STM32) and associated debug toolchains.
• Exposure to higher-end application processors (e.g. NXP i.MX6, ARM Cortex-A7).
• Knowledge of industrial and peripheral interfaces (e.g. RS-485, SPI, I²C, UART).
• Integrating modular comms : 4G modems, Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, NFC.

Nice to have

• Hands‑on with IoT / connected products.
• Low‑power techniques for battery‑operated devices.
• ISM‑band RF transceivers for short‑range wireless.
• Understanding of mains SMPS topologies and safety considerations.

Why join?

• Senior‑level influence on architecture and product direction.
• Varied, tangible products with the backing of a stable, market‑leading brand.
• Hybrid working and flexible hours, modern labs, and real ownership.

If interested, please send your updated CV asap. Interviews available at short notice