> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/56506-hardware-design-engineers-all-levels](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/56506-hardware-design-engineers-all-levels). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Hardware Design Engineers - All Levels - **Company:** Leonardo - **Location:** Caddington, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Board Bringup, Computer Engineering, Software Debugging, Digital Electronics, Microprocessors, Ethernet, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Hardware Design, MATLAB, PCI Express, Schematic Capture, Signal Integrity, Software Requirements Analysis, Systems Integration, Model-Driven Development, Safety Critical Systems - **Published:** May 21, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.apply4u.co.uk/jobs/x/36968852/ ## About the Role Proven industry experience as a Senior, Principal or Lead Hardware Engineer. Strong background in one or more of: High-speed digital electronics Mixed-signal or high-performance analogue design Power electronics / low-noise power architectures Hands-on experience designing high-speed PCBs, including schematic capture, layout oversight and simulation. Experience with: FPGA, SoC or microprocessor-based designs High-speed serial links and protocols (e.g. PCIe, Ethernet, JESD-class interfaces) Practical expertise in hardware bring-up, debug, test and verification. Ability to interpret and derive hardware designs from system-level requirements. Strong understanding of Design for EMC/EMI in demanding environments. Experience integrating hardware, firmware and software into working platforms. Comfortable working within a structured hardware development lifecycle and configuration-controlled environment. Valuable (but not essential) Experience in EW, radar, sensors or other complex defence systems. Background in automotive, medical, aerospace or high-reliability industrial electronics. Experience with low-noise analogue design, power supplies or signal integrity. Use of model-driven engineering approaches (e.g. MATLAB / Simulink). ## Description What would you work on if you could shape electronics at the heart of next-generation Electronic Warfare and advanced sensing systems? At Leonardo, our EW and FCA programmes demand hardware that performs at the edge of what's physically possible - high-speed, low-noise, highly integrated and ultra-reliable. Based primarily at our Luton and Bristol sites, you'll work on mission-critical electronics that operate in some of the most challenging environments imaginable. Hybrid working is supported, though on-site presence (typically 3-4 days per week) may flex with programme needs. What you will do as a Hardware Engineer working on EW and FCA programmes Own and influence hardware designs across the full lifecycle - from system requirements and architecture through detailed design, test, integration and customer delivery. Design and develop complex, high-performance electronics including: High-speed digital and mixed-signal PCBs FPGA, SoC and microprocessor-based architectures High-speed serial interfaces and interconnects Translate system-level requirements into robust, producible hardware solutions. Lead or significantly contribute to design reviews, trade studies and technical decision-making. Integrate in-house designs with COTS modules (power, compute, RF and high-speed interfaces). Drive debug, test and verification activities at board and system level. For Principal and Lead engineers: Provide technical leadership and mentoring within the team Shape hardware strategy, standards and best practice across programmes Collaborate daily within multi-disciplinary teams spanning systems, firmware, software, RF and manufacturing. How this role grows with you This is a role where impact increases with capability. Senior engineers are trusted to own complex designs end-to-end, solving hard technical problems with minimal oversight and becoming go-to experts within the programme. As experience and influence grow, engineers naturally move into Principal or Lead roles, shaping system and hardware architecture, setting technical direction and guiding design standards. Those at Principal / Lead level play a visible role in mentoring and developing others, influencing programme decisions and representing hardware engineering at a system level. Whether you want to deepen your expertise, broaden into system-level authority, or take ownership of technically critical areas, this role gives you the space and responsibility to do it. What you'll bring You'll bring depth in one or more hardware domains, combined with the confidence to operate on complex, safety-critical systems. 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