Lead Hardware Engineer

Defence; West of England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Defence in Bristol is seeking a Lead Hardware Engineer (Electronic Warfare) to become the UK technical authority for hardware within a cutting-edge EW product team. The role is Bristol-based with hybrid working, requiring SC clearance eligibility and a strong background in RF, firmware and hardware architecture.

You will lead hardware development, drive strategy, and collaborate with international engineers to deliver deployable hardware solutions that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience applying systems engineering principles in defence hardware.
• Strong technical expertise in EW, RF and signal processing.
• Experience translating EW concepts into deployable hardware.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware and firmware development across EW programs.
• Act as UK hardware authority for multiple projects.
• Collaborate with international teams to transfer tech into hardware.

Skills

EW hardware design

RF systems

Firmware development

Hardware architecture

Systems engineering

Job description

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.

Interested? Apply today to learn more about this exciting opportunity at the forefront of Electronic Warfare technology.

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