Hardware Engineer - Product Development

Job Description:

Hardware Engineer – Product Development
Location: Derbyshire
Industry: Embedded Hardware | Remote Communications
Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 + Benefits
  
We’re looking for a Hardware Engineer to join a Product Development team, working on innovative, low-power remote communication products designed for harsh and safety-critical environments. You’ll collaborate with electrical, firmware, and mechanical engineers to design, build, test, and industrialise robust products used in rugged environments.
  
This role offers hands-on involvement across the full product lifecycle — from concept and architecture through prototyping, testing, and preparation for mass production.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design and develop electronic hardware components and systems, including PCBs and associated circuitry.
• Contribute to hardware architecture for new products, ensuring compatibility with firmware and software.
• Build, test, fault-find, and document prototypes, cables, and test harnesses (including occasional on-site testing).
• Analyse performance data and generate clear technical and performance reports.
• Source components, create and maintain BOMs, and research alternative parts.
• Collaborate closely with firmware, software, mechanical, and production engineering teams.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and handover to manufacturing, including development of automatic test equipment.
• Investigate and resolve product issues escalated from production or the field.
• Support maintenance, repairs, and modifications to existing products.

Skills We’re Looking For:

• Strong understanding of electronic hardware design and the product development lifecycle.
• Ability to read and interpret electronic schematics and engineering drawings.
• Hands-on experience building and testing electronic hardware.
• Proficient with common test equipment (multimeter, oscilloscope, signal generator).
• Logical, methodical approach with strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with PCB design and component-level troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with microcontrollers and basic programming (e.g. C, Python, assembly) and/or PC-based software.
• Experience working with low-power or embedded systems.
• Exposure to regulated, rugged, or safety-critical product environments.
• Experience supporting products through manufacturing and into the field.