Principal Electrical Hardware Engineer

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan with company-m

Hybrid work environment

Opportunities for professional growth

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Electrical Hardware Engineer in Kimberley, Northern Cape, to lead analog/digital hardware development for aerospace applications. You will own from concept to production, guiding a team of engineers and coordinating cross-functional activities.

The role focuses on signal integrity, EMC, power management, and high-reliability systems, with opportunities to shape cutting-edge aerospace electronics and contribute to major programs.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in electrical hardware design for high-reliability systems.
• Expert in analog and digital circuit design.
• Experience with power electronics and power management ICs.
• Proficient with Altium Designer or Cadence for schematic/PCB layout.
• Ability to obtain security clearance may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and verification of analog, digital, and mixed-signal hardware for aerospace.
• Develop schematics, select components, and define system requirements.
• Oversee PCB layout to ensure signal integrity and manufacturability.
• Design power management circuits including regulation and distribution.
• Create and execute hardware test plans for validation.
• Perform worst-case, thermal, and EMC/ EMI analysis.
• Collaborate with software/firmware teams for integration.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor junior engineers.
• Support manufacturing and implement cost-reducing design changes.
• Stay updated on aerospace regulations and new tech.

Skills

Analog circuit design

Digital circuit design

Power electronics

FPGA

Microcontrollers

EDA tools (Altium/Cadence)

Signal integrity

EMC/EMI knowledge

Lab equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum

Documentation skills

Security clearance capability

Education

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

PhD is a strong asset

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the development of advanced sensor technologies for the aerospace industry, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Electrical Hardware Engineer to join their esteemed team in Kimberley, Northern Cape, ZA . This pivotal role requires an expert in analog and digital circuit design, power management, and embedded systems for mission-critical applications. You will be responsible for the full lifecycle of electrical hardware development, from conceptualization and schematic design through to PCB layout oversight, prototyping, testing, and production support. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of signal integrity, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and thermal management, with a proven ability to deliver robust and reliable solutions under stringent environmental conditions. Our client prides itself on its commitment to innovation and technical excellence, and this role offers the opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of what's possible in aerospace electronics. You will be a key technical authority, guiding junior engineers and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the highest standards of quality and performance are met. This role is integral to the success of future product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and verification of complex analog, digital, and mixed-signal electronic hardware for aerospace applications.
• Develop detailed schematics, select components, and define system-level requirements for new hardware designs.
• Oversee PCB layout activities, ensuring optimal signal integrity, power delivery, and manufacturability.
• Design and implement power management circuits, including voltage regulation, battery charging, and power distribution systems.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans for hardware validation, including functional testing, environmental testing, and performance characterization.
• Perform detailed analysis of electrical designs, including worst-case analysis, thermal analysis, and EMC/EMI analysis.
• Collaborate with software and firmware engineers to ensure seamless integration of hardware and software components.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior hardware engineers.
• Support manufacturing processes, troubleshoot production issues, and implement design enhancements for cost reduction and reliability improvement.
• Stay current with industry trends, new technologies, and regulatory requirements in aerospace electronics.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; a PhD is a strong asset.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in electrical hardware design, with a significant portion dedicated to high-reliability systems in the aerospace or defense sectors.
• Expertise in analog circuit design, including amplifiers, filters, and data acquisition systems.
• Strong proficiency in digital circuit design, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and high-speed interfaces.
• Experience with power electronics and power management ICs.
• Proficiency with EDA tools such as Altium Designer, Cadence, or similar for schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Thorough understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, and EMC/EMI principles and mitigation techniques.
• Experience with laboratory test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers) and test methodologies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
• Ability to obtain security clearance may be required.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous retirement savings plan with company matching, and significant paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional growth include advanced technical training, support for further education, and attendance at leading industry conferences.
• Employees also benefit from an innovative work environment, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and the satisfaction of contributing to cutting-edge aerospace technology.
• This hybrid role offers a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.