Hardware Engineer
Rochester (maybe some travel to other locations)
£45k
VR/02423R

Role Purpose
Our client requires a Hardware Engineer to design and develop new hardware for their range of products and to support existing products.
What you’ll be doing:
· Design and develop hardware for their product and associated equipment
· Involved in both analogue and digital design at system, product and circuit level
· Schematic design of high-speed interfaces
· Utilising EMC and Signal Integrity to complete impedance matching, decoupling strategies, PCB layout and debug of designs
· Liaise with other hardware engineers, production and production engineering where necessary
· Ensure that designs meet the stated objectives relating to performance, cost and timescale
· Ensure that work is carried out within the framework of the company’s Production Engineering and Purchasing procedures
· Produce prototypes of designs where appropriate
· Maintain and update existing product designs and design documentation as required

Person Specification
Our client is looking for individuals who are highly motivated and have a passion to contribute to the success of the organisation. In addition to this, you will possess the following:
Qualifications
Essential:
· 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) of grades A-C (including Maths and English)
· Degree in an electronics related discipline
Desirable:
· Degree in an electronics-related discipline
Experience
Essential:
· Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in hardware design and development role
· Hands on analogue and digital design at system, product and circuit level
· OrCAD/ALTIUM schematic design including best practices and techniques for high speed interfaces (NAND, NOR memory) designs
· Experience using firmware-hardware interface development and integration

Knowledge
Essential:
· Popular microcontrollers/Embedded systems: Atmel, STM32, 8/16/32 bit, ARM Core
· SPI, I2C, Ethernet, I2S, DAC, ADC, USB, UART, RS232, RS485 communications
· EMC and Signal Integrity best practices and techniques
· Awareness of CPLD or FPGA designs using VHDL
Desirable:
· ISO9001 Quality Practice
· CE and EN54: Fire detection and fire alarm system standards
· FM, UL and NFPA fire alarm system standards

Technical skills
Desirable:
· Multi-layer PCB design and FPGA design, synthesis, place & route, verification and simulation
· PCB stack-ups for impedance control, fabrication drawings

Personal qualities
- Good time management skills
- Self-starter with the ability to quickly learn about new processes
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as take a lead on projects
- Excellent time management