Senior Hardware Technical Lead

As the senior technical authority within the hardware engineering function, you will drive engineering excellence across electronics, mechanical design, and FPGA development activities. Working closely with systems engineers, project managers, and multidisciplinary teams, you will ensure technical quality, programme delivery, and continuous improvement across multiple projects. This position offers a balance of hands-on technical delivery and technical leadership, with approximately 80% focused on project execution and 20% on mentoring, governance, and capability development. Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership & Governance

• Lead and enhance hardware development processes, methodologies, and engineering toolsets.
• Provide architectural guidance across electronic and mechanical design activities, including thermal management considerations.
• Ensure robust engineering governance through design reviews, quality standards, and stage-gated development processes.
• Support project teams by identifying and removing technical obstacles to delivery.

Team Development & Mentoring

• Mentor and coach hardware engineers across varying levels of experience.
• Identify skills gaps and recommend training and development initiatives.
• Foster effective collaboration between electronics, FPGA, mechanical, and systems engineering teams.
• Support future capability growth through contribution to recruitment and workforce planning activities.

Project Delivery

• Lead detailed electronic architecture and hardware design activities.
• Oversee schematic capture, high-speed digital board design, and PCB layout activities.
• Develop and execute hardware verification and validation strategies.
• Manage technical aspects of new product introduction (NPI) and transition into manufacturing.
• Support existing products through resolution of complex manufacturing, test, and component obsolescence challenges.

• Proven background within hardware engineering and electronic design, typically gained over 10+ years.
• Degree qualified in Electronic Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong experience in high-speed digital electronics and PCB-based product development.
• Experience establishing processes, standards, and engineering toolsets across multidisciplinary hardware teams.
• Demonstrable expertise in engineering governance, design reviews, and quality assurance frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder management and technical leadership capabilities.
• Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance and sole UK nationality status.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of FPGA integration and associated development workflows.
• Understanding of Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) principles.
• Experience delivering products within defence, aerospace, secure communications, or other highly regulated industries.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop engineers while maintaining a collaborative, high-performing culture.

• Opportunity to work on innovative, mission-critical technology programmes.
• Significant technical influence across high-profile engineering projects.
• A collaborative environment focused on technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Strong opportunities for career progression and professional development.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

Our client is a highly respected engineering organisation developing cutting-edge secure technology solutions for defence and government customers. Due to continued growth and investment, they are seeking an experienced Senior Hardware Technical Lead to provide technical leadership across the full hardware development lifecycle. This is a fantastic opportunity for a senior electronics professional who enjoys combining hands-on engineering with technical governance, mentoring, and project leadership. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping hardware development practices while leading the delivery of complex, high-performance electronic systems.