Principal Electronics Engineer

Ultra Electronics Group; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Bonus Scheme

Private Medical Cover

25 days' holiday (+5)

Pension Contribution 4x Life Assurance

Flexible working hours

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Ultra Intelligence & Communications Cyber (UK) is seeking a Principal Electronics Engineer to lead the design and development of digital and analogue electronics within the Hardware Engineering team. The role requires independent judgment, technical leadership and mentoring of junior staff.

You will apply your expertise in high‑speed digital designs, analogue circuits and switched‑mode power supplies, PCB layout (PADS/Altium) and EMC/TEMPEST awareness.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Experience in high-speed digital designs with processors and programmable devices.
• Experience in analogue circuit design and switched‑mode power supply design.
• Competent with schematic capture and PCB layout constraints.
• Developed large, multi‑layer PCBs; EMC/TEMPEST awareness preferred.
• Experience with PADS or Altium is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Specify, design and verify digital and analogue circuits and PCBs.
• Perform design calculations, simulations and prototyping to ensure quality.
• Develop electronics per hardware development process and meet schedules.
• Provide technical direction across multiple projects.
• Support production with debugging and issue resolution.
• Contribute to design reviews and mentor junior staff.
• Manage security of information per security manual.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

High-speed digital design

Analogue circuit design

Switch-mode power supply design

Schematic capture

PCB multi-layer design

PCB layout tools knowledge

Education

Degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering

Tools

PADS

Altium

Job description

Company

Ultra Intelligence & Communications Cyber (UK) Business Powering Decision Join the team redefining defense technology. From engineering systems that save lives to leading programs that change the battlefield- find your place in the future of defense.

Cyber Business

Our Cyber business unit is at the forefront of pioneering advanced cryptographic and key management solutions, facilitating the confidential exchange of vital information for customers operating at both tactical and strategic echelons. Join our team and participate in the innovation that ensures the highest security and trust worldwide.

Job Description

The Ultra Engineering function manages a portfolio of specialist capabilities, generating highly differentiated solutions and products by applying electronic, mechanical, and software technologies in demanding and critical environments to meet customer needs. The Principal Electronics Engineer will be responsible for research, design and development of digital and analogue electronics within the Hardware Engineering team. A professional at this grade applies technical and professional knowledge, making independent judgements based on practice and significant previous experience to support decision making. Often seen as a referral point or more senior team member to upscale more complex problems. The role will act independently with minimal guidance and may act as a formal mentor for junior staff.

Key responsibilities

• Specify, design and verify digital and analogue circuits and printed circuit boards (PCBs) in order to deliver high quality electronics that meets the requirements in a timely manner and within budget.
• Perform design calculations and carry out simulations using industry standard tools, and prototype as required, in order to estimate performance, identify high-risk areas and ensure high quality designs that require minimal re-design.
• Develop and verify electronics according to Ultra's hardware development process. Estimate time and effort required for the activities and deliver to these time and effort estimates to ensure cost and schedule adherence.
• Provide technical direction and exert technical influence across multiple projects, such that the optimal approach, architecture and design are selected.
• Work with production test to ensure designs are suitable for volume production.
• Also support production to assist them with the rapid debugging and resolution of electronic hardware issues encountered in order to minimise production delays.
• Work constructively with other team members, actively contributing to design reviews, to ensure a collaborative working environment.
• Could be a team leader on a project if so desires and has the appropriate skills.
• Manage security of information as defined in the Security manual.

Qualifications / skills required

• Degree in an Electrical or Electronic Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience of one or more of the following; Experience of high-speed digital designs that include processors and programmable devices.
• Experience of analogue circuit design and switched-mode power supply design. Able to design reliable power supplies that meet requirements and analyse against all input and output conditions across temperature, and estimate performance accurately.
• Competent with schematic capture tools and understands how to constrain layout using rules, classes and groups.
• Must have developed large, complex designs requiring multi-layer PCBs (and PCB stack-up design).
• Appreciation of design and test for EMC and TEMPEST preferred.
• Having carried out PCB layouts using PADS and, or Altium would be advantageous.

Role requirements

Candidates must be willing and able to obtain, and maintain, SC security clearance.

Candidates must be willing and able to obtain, and maintain, DV security clearance.

Willing to work on-site full time. Occasional travel to suppliers and test houses.

Notice Due to the nature of the programs we deliver for our customers, candidates may need to obtain the relevant security clearance or handle export‑controlled material as defined by the role's requirements. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance for the role. Due to the nature of our work, you must be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. For more information, please visit the UKSV website.

Our Benefits

• Participation in an Annual Bonus Scheme
• Private Medical Cover
• 25 days' holiday (plus Bank Holidays) with the option to buy an extra 5 days
• Pension Contribution 4 x Life Assurance Cover
• Flexible working hours with opportunity for a 1pm finish on a Friday
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme, will writing and more
• Security Clearance Allowance - where relevant and subject to you holding the required security clearance

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement

At Ultra I&C, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusivity. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be the best version of yourself. We also believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures will increase our diversity of thinking, ensuring we successfully deliver to our customers.

We, therefore, do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also support requests for flexible working arrangements wherever possible.

If you have any issues with your application, please email us at [e-mail]

About Ultra

Ultra specialises in providing application‑engineered bespoke solutions. We focus on our customers’ mission critical and intelligent systems in the defence, security, critical detection, & control markets. Our capabilities and technologies can be found on many of the world’s long‑term military programmes. We employ over 4,500 employees across the globe and are listed on the London Stock Exchange.