Hardware Design Engineer

The Pickering Group is a family‑owned, UK‑based electronics manufacturer established in 1968, specialising in high‑quality switching, simulation and relay products for industries such as aerospace, automotive and defence. We are seeking a skilled Hardware Design Engineer to join our dynamic engineering team in Clacton.

Responsibilities

• Work with Product Management to define product / design specifications
• Lead the design and development of digital and analog hardware products
• Create detailed schematics and PCB layouts using Altium Designer
• Perform component selection and analysis to ensure optimal performance
• Develop and execute test plans for prototypes and final products
• Conduct hardware debugging and validation using test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers)
• Collaborate with mechanical and software teams to ensure effective hardware/software integration
• Manage and lead product development projects from concept through to production
• Work closely with cross‑functional teams (software, mechanical, test, NPI, manufacturing) to ensure efficient delivery of projects
• Create and maintain detailed technical documentation
• Support cross‑functional product documentation creation
• Support products through the full product life cycle – from initial concept to end of life
• Participate in design reviews and provide constructive feedback
• Provide support to production for released products
• Provide support to sales team(s) and customers for a variety of products
• Continue personal development by participating in training courses and seminars
• Have a commercial appreciation of the market and competitors’ products
• Visit trade shows to gain appreciation of the marketplace
• Assist with internal and external quality system audits

Qualifications

• Degree in Electronic Engineering, or industry experience comparable to the level required
• 2–5 years of experience in hardware design and development
• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout tools
• Solid understanding of circuit design principles, including power supplies, signal integrity and noise mitigation
• Hands‑on experience with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, spectrum analyzers)
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams
• Experience in RF circuit design is advantageous
• Altium Designer experience is advantageous

People are at the heart of Pickering. We believe that each employee contributes directly to Pickering’s growth and success, in return we offer:

Benefits

• A competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, and buying/selling holiday (employees can buy up to 10 days if eligible)
• Life insurance of 4×annual salary, capped at £50k
• Corporate membership at the local gym and spa
• A thorough induction programme, including a Pickering Pal assigned to you to ensure you feel welcome and to check in on you during probation
• Regular reviews and performance‑related pay increases (subject to business conditions)
• Employee wellbeing and mental health support through our partnership with Mind EAP with Sparks (Legal & General health and wellbeing digital home)
• Wellbeing programme with Spa Medical
• Choice of salary sacrifice on pension contributions
• Paid company social events such as a summer festival and Christmas party
• Career progression and training programmes
• Sponsoring further education
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Potential for worldwide business travel (role‑dependent)
• Free tea, coffee and fresh fruit

#J-18808-Ljbffr…