Want to own the electronics on a next-generation scientific instrument, from first concept to released product? This is a hands-on senior role in a small, mission-driven team where your design decisions will shape the platform.

Our client is an established global provider of analytical and scientific instrumentation, with a long history of advancing science and a mission of innovating for a healthier world. Their High Wycombe electronics team is developing a new generation of material-characterisation laboratory instruments while sustaining the existing product range.

The role

You will own subsystems from requirements through to verified hardware: low-noise detection front-ends, power distribution, MCU- and FPGA-based control boards, and the integration of cables, actuators and motors. The team needs two things most – a structured product-design approach and strong high-speed digital / Xilinx FPGA capability.

Design and verify low-noise analogue front-ends, mixed-signal, power and control boards for the new instrument.
Own high-speed digital and FPGA/SoC (Xilinx Zynq) design, with PCB design in Altium 365 to IPC standards.
Take technical ownership of the electronics architecture for your subsystems, from concept through prototype, verification and product release.
Run the product-design process: HRS/PRS, design proposals and reviews, DFMEA, verification plans and reports.
Prototype quickly with breadboards, proto and rework boards to prove concepts before full PCBA spins.
Bring up, debug and validate boards on the bench alongside the firmware team – soldering, modifying and testing hardware yourself.
Own the electrical BOM, datasheets and safety/EMC considerations, and support DFM/DFA into production.
Sustain released products: obsolescence, alternates, manufacturing and field issues, root cause.
Work closely with optics, mechanics, firmware, software and scientists to prove out designs.

What you will bring

A degree in electrical/electronic engineering or a closely related discipline, with 5+ years' design experience in instrumentation or test and measurement products.
Mixed-signal design in low-noise environments.
MCU-based control boards and interfaces such as 1G/10G Ethernet, USB, SPI, I²C, UART/RS-232, RS-485, CAN and PCIe.
High-speed multilayer (8+ layer) digital design from schematic to PCB, including DDR3/DDR4, and FPGA/SoC design on Xilinx Zynq in VHDL or Verilog.
Altium 365 schematic and PCB design to IPC-2221 / IPC-7351, with managed libraries, version control, and DFM/Gerber review with a contract manufacturer.
Confident hands-on bring-up and fault-finding with oscilloscopes, DVMs, spectrum and logic analysers, plus disciplined root-cause analysis.
EMC and product safety for laboratory equipment (IEC 61326-1, IEC 61010-1) through to passing compliance testing.
A structured approach to requirements, design reviews, DFMEA and verification, and experience of obsolescence management.
A system-integration mindset – how a board fits the whole system, including cabling, harnessing and connectivity.

Nice to have

Power supply design.
Working with suppliers and manufacturers on quotes, costings and assembly options.
PLM tools, Git workflows, Jira and Confluence.
Applied use of AI tools and agentic workflows in engineering.
UV instruments, high-voltage lamp drivers, or thermal control design.

You will be analytical, well organised and comfortable across several projects at once. You communicate clearly, are happy to challenge a design when the evidence says so, and enjoy mentoring others and helping a team grow.

What is on offer

Salary of £70,000 – £80,000 [plus benefits – to confirm].
Your own well-equipped bench, with the test equipment and software you need.
The chance to help shape a new lab and instrument set-up being built now.
Cross-discipline project teams and direct influence on next-generation instruments, in a compact electronics team of two engineers plus placement students.

Interested?

Apply now or contact Steve Bernat at Octagon Group at sbernat@octagongroup.co.uk for a confidential conversation.

Senior Electronics Design Engineer