Principal Electrical Engineer

Principal Electronics Engineer

Horsham | £65,000 – £75,000 | Permanent | Hybrid

Our client, a leading name in UK defence engineering, is seeking a Principal Electronics Engineer to help lead electronics design within a growing team of 15 engineers. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced electronics professional to take on a senior technical role, shaping engineering standards while working on cutting-edge defence technology.

The Role

This is a dual Electrical/Electronic function covering:

• Electronics Engineer — circuit design, components, and PCB technology, working across EMC, power management, servo control, processor interfacing, and communications
• Electrical Engineer — power and signal transmission over wired medium, defining and reviewing overall architecture including power management, system wiring, and production processes

You'll lead headline projects, set the standard for good engineering practice, and act as a role model for less experienced engineers. There's also regular engagement with senior management, directors, and key customers, including support on bids and new business proposals.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise and lead technology development within R&D activities
• Deliver technical leadership across multidisciplinary projects
• Take a line management support role for a smaller sub-team, overseeing training, development, and resource planning

What You'll Need

Essential:

• Strong, IET-accredited degree with c. 10 years' relevant experience
• Significant experience leading or supervising projects or people
• Solid theoretical and practical understanding of electronics design
• Ability to carry out analysis-based work (circuit emulation, performance, power budgets)
• Full awareness of the project lifecycle, from bids to ongoing customer support
• Strong fault-finding ability at PCB or system level

Desirable:

• Chartered Engineer status
• Experience with EMC to military standards
• Knowledge of motors and drive technology
• Familiarity with Altium, Cadence OrCAD, JIRA, Confluence, or MS Project
• Awareness of Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Lightning Direct/Indirect Effects
• Experience designing electronics for harsh, military-grade environments

What's on Offer

• 37.5-hour week with lunchtime finishes on Fridays
• Hybrid/flexible working
• 28 days annual leave plus Christmas closure
• Group pension (matched up to 5%), income protection, and life assurance
• Health cash plan, EAP, EV salary sacrifice scheme, and shares incentive plan
• Free onsite parking and strong L&D support

Please Note: Due to the nature of this business, successful candidates must be able to obtain UK Security Clearance, including proof of identity, employment history, and 5 years' UK residency.

Interested in finding out more? Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.