Principal Engineer Electronics & Systems

Principal Engineer Electronics & Systems

Bedford | £60,000 - £75,000 + Bonus + Benefits

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Principal Engineer, Technical Lead or Senior Systems Engineer to join an innovative technology business developing complex, highly regulated products.

Reporting directly to the Head of Engineering, you will take technical ownership across electronics, embedded firmware and software development activities, helping shape product architecture, technical strategy and development delivery from concept through to production.

This is a senior technical leadership position suited to engineers who enjoy operating across multiple disciplines, influencing technical direction, managing suppliers and ensuring products are delivered safely, compliantly and to the highest quality standards.

Why Join?

Opportunity to act as the technical owner for a complex product platform

Significant influence over architecture, technical direction and engineering decisions

Lead and challenge external development partners and suppliers

Broad role spanning electronics, firmware, software, verification and validation

Direct access to senior leadership and key decision makers

Opportunity to shape products from concept through to production and market release

International travel and exposure to global development partners

Annual bonus scheme

Private healthcare

Company pension

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

The Role

You will work closely with engineering, quality, manufacturing and external development partners to ensure technical solutions meet customer, business and regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

Providing technical ownership across electronics, embedded firmware and software development programmes

Defining, reviewing and approving system architectures, technical requirements and development plans

Managing external development partners and suppliers, ensuring technical quality, delivery and compliance expectations are achieved

Leading design reviews, technical risk assessments and engineering decision-making activities

Defining verification and validation strategies and ensuring successful execution

Reviewing technical documentation, traceability, testing evidence and product release activities

Supporting product approvals, audits and compliance activities

Driving technical problem-solving, root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives

Supporting programme planning, technical governance and delivery milestones

International travel approximately 4-5 times per year

About You

We are interested in speaking with engineers who have experience operating at a senior technical level and who enjoy taking ownership of complex product development activities.

Suitable backgrounds may include:

Principal Engineer

Senior Systems Engineer

Lead Systems Engineer

Technical Lead

Electronics Engineering Manager

Product Development Engineer

Engineering Manager

Design Authority

You will ideally bring:

Experience delivering complex electronic, embedded or mechatronic products

Strong understanding of system architecture, product development and technical governance

Experience managing suppliers, external development partners or contract engineering teams

Knowledge of verification, validation and design review processes

Experience operating within regulated or quality-driven engineering environments

Strong stakeholder management and communication skills

Ability to influence technical direction across multidisciplinary teams

A practical, delivery-focused mindset with strong ownership and accountability

This role is unlikely to suit candidates whose recent experience has been focused primarily on software engineering, cloud platforms, DevOps or application development. We are specifically seeking engineers with broad product development experience spanning electronics, embedded systems, system architecture, verification and validation, supplier management and technical leadership.

Candidates from medical devices, aerospace, automotive, industrial automation, defence and other complex engineering environments are encouraged to apply.

Please note that sponsorship is not available for this position.