Principal Hardware Engineer

ZipRecruiter; South Oxfordshire; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading robotics firm in Oxfordshire seeks a Principal Hardware Engineer to lead the design and integration of systems for autonomous underwater vehicles. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in hardware engineering, a strong understanding of signal integrity, and proficiency with PCB design tools. This hybrid role offers £65,000 to £70,000 annually plus benefits.

Benefits

Share scheme

Benefits

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in hardware engineering, preferably in unmanned systems.
• Hands-on experience designing for harsh environments.
• Familiarity with underwater communication systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and development of hardware systems for underwater unmanned platforms.
• Design and oversee development of custom PCBs and enclosures.
• Collaborate with software, mechanical, and systems engineers.

Skills

PCB design

Robotics

Signal integrity

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

KiCAD

OrCAD

Job description

Overview

Principal Hardware Engineer | Martine | AUV | Robotics | Harwell – Hybrid | £65,000pa - £70,000pa plus share scheme & benefits. A stealth robotics company in the Oxfordshire area seeks a Principal Hardware Engineer to lead the design, integration, and testing of advanced hardware systems for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Develop mission-critical electronics and system architectures that operate reliably in challenging marine environments.

The role requires passion for robotics in the maritime and autonomous/unmanned vehicle sectors. Applicants must be British or have resided in the UK for a minimum of 5 years due to SC clearance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and development of hardware systems for underwater unmanned platforms, including power distribution, embedded electronics, sensor integration, and control systems.
• Design and oversee development of custom PCBs, enclosures, and interconnect systems that meet environmental and operational requirements (pressure, corrosion, vibration).
• Evaluate and integrate marine sensors (e.g., sonar, cameras, DVLs, IMUs) and actuators into system designs, ensuring underwater performance and compatibility.
• Develop and implement robust electrical and communication interfaces (e.g., Ethernet, RS-232/485, CAN, I2C, SPI) for high-reliability operation.
• Lead hardware system integration and testing, including pressure testing, EMI/EMC validation, and underwater operational trials.
• Collaborate with software, mechanical, and systems engineers to ensure cohesive design and successful system-level integration.
• Generate and maintain documentation including schematics, BOMs, test plans, design justifications, and regulatory compliance records.
• Support field testing and deployments, including troubleshooting and field-based diagnostics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in hardware engineering, preferably in unmanned systems, robotics, or rugged embedded systems.
• Proficiency in PCB design and layout tools (e.g., Altium, KiCAD, OrCAD) and electrical simulation/analysis tools.
• Hands-on experience designing for harsh environments—including pressure, saltwater exposure, and thermal constraints.
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, grounding, shielding, and EMI/EMC considerations.
• Familiarity with underwater communication systems (e.g., acoustic modems, fiber optics, RF through water).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex hardware development efforts from concept through deployment.

Experience

• Experience with low-power design, battery management systems, and subsea power architectures.
• Knowledge of safety and regulatory standards for marine or defense systems.
• Prior work on AUVs, ROVs, or similar subsea robotics platforms.

If you’re passionate about robotics—specifically autonomous underwater or submersible vehicles and unmanned platforms—and software engineering in this space, please get in touch ASAP.

MARS Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and positively welcomes applications from suitably qualified applicants regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or other protected status. Suitable candidates for the role will be contacted within 3 working days; if you haven’t heard back in this time, your application may be unsuccessful.

MARS Recruitment is a specialist Engineering & IT recruiter working in partnership with companies across the UK and offers services of both an Employment Business (for Temporary/Contract roles) and an Employment Agency (for Permanent roles).