Senior Design Engineer

Bourns, Inc.; Bedford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bourns, Inc. in Bedford, UK seeks a Senior Design Engineer to design and layout power semiconductor chips for manufacture in our wafer fab or external foundry. You will work within a project team to release overvoltage and overcurrent protection products.

The role requires extensive knowledge of wafer processing, semiconductor physics, and DOE/DFM/ Six Sigma practices. You will contribute to NPI and sustained product support while interfacing with multiple functions.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Engineering or Science or equivalent.
• Progressive engineering experience in designing, developing and releasing major scope products.
• Specific knowledge in power circuits in silicon or SiC is essential.

Responsibilities

• Design and layout new power semiconductor chips for Bedford wafer fab or external foundry.
• Collaborate with Product Line Manager, sales and applications to meet requirements.
• Demonstrate semiconductor physics understanding and DOE, wafer testing for prototypes.
• Prepare documentation and data sheets for launch per IATF16949 or better.
• Support new product introduction and on-time release to production.
• Provide technical training and cross-functional consultations.

Education

Engineering or Science degree

Progressive engineering experience

Power circuit design (silicon/SiC)

Semiconductor physics knowledge

Knowledge of SPC/DOE/DFM/FMEA/Six Sigma

Tools

Silvaco CAD

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

If working for an organization with a long history of technological innovation and high advancement potential in a supportive, collaborative, and positive work environment are top considerations for your next career move, then you need to look at the opportunities at Bourns.

Bourns was founded 75 years ago with the guiding principles of providing breakthrough technology solutions, high-quality products, responsive service, and exceptional value. Those principles still hold true today and have instilled a culture that is committed to excellence and ethical operations. As a leading provider of advanced components for power conversion, circuit protection, and motion control sensing solutions, Bourns employs more than 9,000 people in 21 countries and operates 17 manufacturing centers and 15 R&D facilities. Our customers and partners rely on Bourns to meet strict design requirements and satisfy international standards in a broad range of industries and applications. We achieve this stature because Bourns employees excel in the development of new products and continuous improvement processes that keep the company a global leader in delivering outstanding service.

Job Description:

Position Title:

Date:

April 2026

Reporting To:

Department:

Location:

Bedford, UK

I. BASIC PURPOSE:

The Senior Design Engineer will design & layout new power semiconductor chips for manufacture in the Bourns Wafer Fab in Bedford or in an external wafer foundry. The designer will be part of a project team responsible for designing and releasing overvoltage and overcurrent protection products.

The Senior Design Engineer will have an in-depth understanding of wafer processing that allows the designer to act as a technology consultant for Wafer Fab process improvement activities. Important skills are those that allow the reverse engineering of competition products.

II. DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES (End Results Expected):

• Work with Product Line Manager, sales and application engineers to create products that meet defined new product requirements.
• Demonstrate deep understanding of Semiconductor Physics and high level of competency with Design of Experiments, wafer fabrication technology and electrical testing to design, build and assess prototype products.
• Proficient user of Silvaco or other Computer Aided Design and layout tools
• Document and present proposals for new designs and design changes for review by the product development team and investigate feedback on the product design to create an optimized device and process flow
• Work as part of the new product introduction team to achieve on-time release of new products into production.
• Personally performs complex and novel work assignments pertaining to device modeling development, and the qualification of complex technology and products.
• Completes engineering documentation package including product data sheets, to support successful new product launch and/or product/process implementation to IATF16949 standard or better.
• Performs and develops product characterization, test and failure analysis techniques supporting product development, enhancement, reliability and customer applications.
• Applies knowledge and experience of SPC, DOE, DFM, FMEA, and six-sigma process in all products and processes.
• Advises on new ideas, robust design/processes, and implements best practice methodology for constant improvement.
• Provides engineering support for sustaining existing semiconductor products, of which we have a wide range, and ensuring that new products may be converted from development to production status.
• Provides technical training to new engineering or plant personnel and consultations to other departments, companies and business units.
• Ensures the early participation of process and manufacturing engineering, purchasing and other functions in the development process.
• Solves chronic problems (quality, performance and cost) related to products and processes using new materials, technologies, design, SPC, DOE or other techniques.
• Informed on trends and developments in the electronics and surge protection industry through trade publications, trade shows, seminars or outside studies; performs other related duties as required.

III. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

The Senior Design Engineer will exhibit active listening skills that aid in effective communication and teamwork with all levels of the organization in providing directions to technical engineering professionals and clerical support personnel along with high level project planning and communication.

IV. COMMUNICATIONS:

ORAL: Excellent verbal skills required to communicate instructions and present ideas, concepts, and solutions to all levels of employees, suppliers, and customers, worldwide.

WRITTEN: Excellent written skills required to issue instructions and present ideas, concepts, and solutions to all levels of employees and suppliers via letters, email, fax, memos, graphs, charts, etc.

V. SCHEDULING AND PLANNING:

Plans, schedules and directs all assigned project activities. Involved in short-term and long-range planning activities.

VI. ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET:

VII . BASIC JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

Normally, graduation from an accredited three-year college or university with a degree in Engineering or Science required, or equivalent education, training and experience.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Demonstrated ability to perform the above functions, combined with progressive engineering experience and the proven capability to design, develop and release products, processes or equipment of major scope and a high degree of complexity. Specific knowledge in the design of power circuits in silicon or SiC is essential.

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Knowledge of surge protection technology with emphasis on semi-conductor protection components. Engineering background in surge protective devices and a basic understanding of general application circuits that require protection. Knowledge of electrical measurement techniques used in the circuit protection industry. Experience working in circuit protection device characterization, test, reliability and failure analysis. Detailed knowledge of regulatory requirements and standards covering voltage and over current protection (Or similar experience in power electronic components).

OTHER SKILLS:

Time management and organizational skills. Capable of managing own work and deliverables with little supervision.

Flexible and able to work in a demanding environment, and to travel as required.

Creative thinking: challenge the old ways and seek better ways of doing things.

PLEASE NOTE: Only applicants with the legal right to live and work in the UK will be considered

Bourns is an equal opportunity employer. At Bourns, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran