Lead Hardware Design Engineer

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.  

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity. 

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results. 

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.  

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands. 

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life. 

We are looking for a Lead hardware design engineer with a broad skill set and a passion for creating electronic products.. Working closely with our clients and the wider PA team, you will be called upon to develop solutions at the system level as well as take on the detailed electronic design work required to realise your concept.

Our primary industry sectors are Consumer, Defence and Security, Health and Life Sciences and we look for someone who is comfortable working across all of these sectors. Sharing ideas across sectors is embedded within our way of working.

Become part of the team

At PA, you will be working within one of the most successful UK organisations in technology and product development, with a team who have an exceptional reputation for innovation and delivery across industry and government.

Our team includes industry-leading experts in electronics, software development, mechanical engineering and applied science. We offer all our engineering professionals career progression and tailored training to equip them with the tools they need to tackle complex and challenging projects through their careers.

You will be trusted to work across the whole development lifecycle for clients, offering a rare opportunity to gain broad experiences from concept to delivery.  This is a great opportunity to not only work on some of the most challenging problems in the industry but also to see your solution through to deployment where it has a positive impact.

PA offers a career in consulting, not just a job; a stake in our firm; and an environment where individuals and ideas matter.

Role Specifics

Examples of key technologies for current projects include motion control, digital audio, software defined radio and high-speed networking but clients often approach us with unique challenges that require a creative outlook and an adaptable skill set – expect the unexpected.

We are looking for candidates with the following technical skills:

• A proven track record of developing elegant electronic system architectures and implementing designs using a professional workflow.
• Well versed in a breadth of core electronics disciplines including analogue and digital circuit design and associated EDA techniques..
• An excellent understanding of key embedded technologies including microcontrollers, SoCs, SoMs and maybe FPGA. Alongside hardware development skills, we look for strong embedded software, RTL or other related skills.
• Exposure to the full product lifecycle from concept generation through to product release including demonstrable experience of delivering your designs into service.
• Possession of a good understanding of the regulatory landscape of the UK, EU and US and a proven track record of designing for compliance with appropriate standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and be comfortable explaining complex engineering concepts to both a technical and non-technical audience.

And the following qualities:

• Someone not afraid to be ‘Hands-on’ and work with the team to work through challenges from first principles on the bench.
• Energy and enthusiasm to take on unfamiliar challenges, coupled with the ability to innovate and think freely.
• Enthusiasm to help build the careers of our less experienced engineers.

This is a challenging role, so we expect experience to be reinforced by a strong academic background.

• Degree qualified – a good degree in electronic engineering or a related subject from a leading university
• The ability to gain UK SC security clearance if not already acquired (in practice, this requires sole UK nationality)

Please note that the interview stages may be subject to change based on the specific requirements of the role. 

• Quick call with one of our Tech Recruiters – to discuss your application, the role and PA 
• Round 1: Either a competency or technical interview (60 mins) 
• Round 2: Either a competency or technical interview, whichever you didn’t do at first round (60 mins) 
• Final round 🎉: Meeting with a PA leader - a mini case study and discussion around your client-centricity (60 mins) 

Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work. 

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self. 

Find out more about Life at PA here. 

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. Check out some of our extensive benefits: 

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare for you and your family 
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days 
• Generous company pension scheme 
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives 
• Annual performance-based bonus 
• PA share ownership 
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn) 

We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups. 

Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on [email protected] 

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