Principal Hardware Engineer
Principal Hardware Engineer (Electronics)
Langley, UK- Hybrid Working Available
Competitive Salary & variety of benefits on offer
Design what is next in advanced imaging technology
At Active Silicon, we design and manufacture cutting-edge electronics and computer imaging products used across science and — from life sciences and medical imaging to robotics, manufacturing, and security. Our customers are global, our projects are complex, and our ambition is simple: build best-in-class products that really matter.
As part of our continued growth, we are looking for a Principal Hardware Engineer (Electronics) to take ownership of complex, high-speed hardware designs, and lead projects from concept through to long-term support.
If you thrive on technical challenge, enjoy seeing your designs make it into real-world products, and want to influence the future direction of hardware development, this role could be what you are looking for.
The Role
This is a senior, hands-on electronics engineering role with significant design ownership. You will lead hardware subsystem and system-level projects, shaping architecture, advanced schematic design, and driving design reviews, verification, and validation. You will work closely with firmware, systems, and manufacturing teams to deliver world-class electronics products.
You will be responsible for
- Own complex FPGA-centric hardware designs across multiple product lines
- Design schematics from buffers through to 50 Gbps SERDES
- Define and maintain robust hardware architectures that meet performance, safety, and compliance needs
- Lead and chair formal design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR)
- Contribute to our technical roadmap and bring new technologies into production by evaluating and integrating new electronics technologies
- Collaborate across firmware, systems, and manufacturing teams to optimise electronics solutions
- Fully document designs, from requirements and test plans to engineering reports
About You
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in electronic engineering (or equivalent)
- 8+ years’ experience in electronics hardware design
- Strong background in high-speed digital electronics/electronics hardware design (FPGAs, processors, PSUs).
- Proven experience across the full product design lifecycle
- Confidence with schematic capture (ideally Altium), prototype testing, and debugging
- A genuine drive to build world-class products and continuously raise the bar
- Track record of delivering high-performance electronics products and solutions.
Additional Skills
- Hands-on electronics design experience with imaging systems
- DDR, PCIe (Gen 4+), SERDES, MIPI, or LVDS design
- Designs operating at up to 50 Gbps
- PCB, EMI/EMC best practice knowledge
- JTAG / XJTAG test experience
- Experience in regulated industries (Medical, Defence, Aerospace, Automotive)
Why Join Active Silicon?
- Be part of a cutting-edge electronics and hardware engineering team driving innovation in imaging products
- Work on global, specialist imaging and electronics products.
- Opportunities to influence product architecture and roadmap.
- Collaborative, innovative, and fast-growing company environment.
Our Recruitment process
- Application Review– Recruitment & Hiring Manager will review your application
- Initial Screening – Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Teams Interview to discuss the role and your experience in more detail.
- Interview – candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview at our offices. This may include competency-based questions and discussion about your technical experience.
- Assessment (if applicable): Some roles may include a short presentation, task, or technical assessment relevant to the position.
- Offer and onboarding– Successful candidates will receive a formal offer, followed by pre-employment checks and onboarding support to ensure a smooth start.
We aim to keep you informed at every stage of the process and provide feedback wherever possible.
Ready to make an impact?
Apply now and help us design the future of advanced imaging technology.