Hardware Engineer

Working at the Global Research and Development Centre for Hochiki Europe and Kentec Electronics to provide a high level of support to Design and Development engineers, by exploring the need for improvements and enhancements to existing products and technology. Investigating issues relating to hardware, mechanical and electrical design, to ensure high quality deliverables, whilst mitigating any risks that may cause delays to production or processes.

Department: Research and Development (R&D)

Location: Rochester (maybe some travel to other locations)

What you’ll be doing:

Acting as the intermediary between R&D and Production to resolve any issues relating to component or supplier changes
Investigating issues with existing products and technology and making enhancements in line with approval processes
Modifying designs as required to prevent delays to manufacturing processes
In line with company returns processes, investigating items that have been returned due to faults in the field
Involvement in both analog and digital design at system, product and circuit level
Completing Component-level troubleshooting, problem solving and root cause analysis
Involvement in hardware qualification testing (to include Electro-Magnetic Compatibility and Environmental testing).
Analyzing technical/component datasheet to determine alternative components for legacy products.
Assessing when samples are required for testing versus just comparing parameters on datasheet OR when a PCB change is required versus a just a component drop-in/replacement.
Liaising with other hardware engineers, production, and production engineering where necessary.
Ensuring that designs meet the stated objectives relating to performance, cost and timescale.
Ensuring that work is carried out within the framework of the company’s Production Engineering and Purchasing procedures.
Producing prototypes of design modifications where appropriate.
Maintaining and updating existing product designs and design documentation as required.

Person Specification

We are looking for individuals with practical experience in electronic and electronic component/technologies. In addition to this, you will possess the following:

Qualifications

5 GCSE’s (or equivalent) of grades A-C (including Math’s and English)
Degree in an electronics related discipline

Experience

Minimum of 5 years’ proven experience in hardware design, development or sustaining engineering role
Hands on experience in analog and digital design at system, product and circuit level.

Knowledge/Skills

ALTIUM schematic design including best practices and techniques for high-speed interfaces (NAND, NOR memory) designs.
Popular microcontrollers/Embedded systems: Microchip, STM32, 8/16/32 bit, ARM Core
Knowledge of various/popular electronic components (such as passive components, relays, connectors and active components transistors, op-amps)
Popular technologies 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
Knowledge of electronic test equipment
Schematic and Multi-layer PCB design and development