Hardware Engineering Manager – Avionics & Embedded Systems | UAS / Unmanned Air Systems
Maidenhead, Berkshire | Competitive + Benefits
About the Opportunity
We're a specialist aerospace company focused on the development of advanced unmanned air vehicles, operating at the cutting edge of UK aviation technology. With a strong culture of in‑house design and manufacturing, our engineering teams own the full product lifecycle from concept through to production.
We're looking for an experienced Hardware Engineering Manager to lead our Avionics & Embedded Hardware function, combining deep technical expertise with strong people leadership to drive both near‑term delivery and long‑term capability growth.
What You'll Be Doing
- Providing specialist engineering leadership to a multidisciplinary team of hardware engineers spanning PCB design, FPGA development and avionics integration, including performance management, coaching and career development
- Setting and maintaining technical standards, processes and best practices across hardware design and verification disciplines
- Guiding system architecture decisions for hardware platforms, component selection, design‑for‑manufacture and avionics integration alongside principal engineers and stakeholders
- Ensuring compliance with applicable aerospace, hardware safety and regulatory standards throughout the development lifecycle
- Leading and supporting project delivery across assigned programmes, including planning, risk management and issue resolution
- Organising and chairing hardware design reviews, verification reviews and technical bid reviews
- Identifying and managing relevant business partnerships, sub‑contracts and specialist hardware suppliers
- Collaborating with software, mechanical, programme and operations teams to align hardware engineering priorities with business goals
- Building and sustaining a high‑performing engineering culture centred on quality, safety and continuous improvement
What We're Looking For
- Proven engineering experience in hardware design and development, covering areas such as PCB design, FPGA, microprocessor‑based systems and/or avionics hardware for aerospace or safety‑critical platforms
- Several roles held at lead or management level within a hardware engineering function
- Strong grounding in systems engineering principles, hardware lifecycle management, verification & validation and design‑for‑test methodologies
- Familiarity with aerospace and hardware safety standards (e.g. DO-254, DO-160, MIL-STD-461, IEC 61508)
- Confident technical decision‑maker in complex, multi-disciplinary environments
- Strong communicator with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders
- Eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (requires 5 years' UK residency)
- Bachelor's degree in Electronic or Hardware Engineering or related technical field (Master's preferred)
- Prior experience in a functional or line‑management capacity within a hardware engineering team
- Background in regulated or safety‑critical development environments (aerospace, defence, rail, automotive)
- Experience with UAV/UAS hardware architecture, high‑integrity design or hardware/software co‑design
- Programme or project delivery experience
What's On Offer
- 9‑day fortnight working pattern
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Share incentive plan
- Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
- Company pension & sick pay
- 20 days annual leave, rising with service
- Cycle to Work scheme, EAP, Mental Health First Aiders
- Free parking, free lunch on Fridays, casual dress
To Apply
We are an equal opportunities employer committed to building an inclusive team. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout our recruitment process. Due to the nature of our work, candidates will be subject to security and export control checks.
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