Principal Electronics Engineer

Ultra; Taplow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultra is seeking a Principal Electronics Engineer to lead research, design and development of digital and analogue electronics for high-assurance environments. You will specify, design, verify PCBs, perform simulations, and provide technical direction across multiple projects.

The role requires SC and possibly DV clearances, on-site work in the UK, mentoring junior staff, and collaboration with production to ensure designs are suitable for volume manufacture.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience with high-speed digital designs including processors and programmable devices.
• Experience in analogue circuit and switched-mode power supply design.

Responsibilities

• Specify, design and verify digital and analogue circuits and PCBs to meet requirements on time and budget.
• Perform design calculations and simulations using industry tools and prototype as needed.
• Develop and verify electronics according to Ultra's hardware development process.
• Estimate time and effort for activities to ensure cost and schedule adherence.
• Provide technical direction across projects to select optimal architecture and design.
• Collaborate with production test to ensure designs suit volume production and support debugging.
• Contribute to design reviews and mentor junior staff; may lead a project.
• Manage security of information per the Security manual. Obtain required clearances.
• Travel occasionally to suppliers and test houses.
• Ensure compliance with defence program requirements (security clearances SC/DV).

Skills

High-speed digital design

Analogue circuit design

Power supply design

PCB layout

Schematic capture

Mentoring / leadership

Security clearance readiness

Education

Degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering

Tools

PADS

Altium

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 elevate more complex problems. The role will act independently with minimal guidance and may act as a formal mentor for junior staff. Responsible for / 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.
  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.
• Occasional travel to suppliers and test houses., 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.
  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.

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.

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.

Every employee is critical to our success, and as such, we offer a range of flexible employee benefits, including:

• 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