Lead Hardware Engineer

Lead Hardware Engineer - Electric Drive Systems

Location: East of England, UK

Position: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive/Negotiable depending on experience

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)

Working Pattern: 3-4 days onsite

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Lead Hardware Engineer to head up the design and delivery of electronic hardware for advanced electric drive systems. Working within an agile, medium-sized engineering team, you will take full technical ownership of hardware development from early concept right through to final production release.

This role is ideal for a hands-on technical leader who understands what it takes to design robust, high-voltage systems tailored for high-volume automotive production. You will focus on creating scalable designs while keeping a keen eye on manufacturability, reliability, and cost-efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support a dedicated team of hardware engineers, organising day-to-day tasks to meet project milestones.

• Lead the development of power electronics and high-voltage (600V) systems, including 3-phase motor drive inverters, bi-directional DC-DC converters, control electronics, and AC mains battery chargers.

• Drive best practices for Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Cost (DFC) to ensure smooth, high-volume production.

• Collaborate closely with Project Managers to plan hardware activities, evaluate technical risks, and manage budgets.

• Oversee Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and support Design Verification Plans (DVP) to guarantee compliance with reliability, safety, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards.

• Work alongside software, mechanical, and system integration teams to resolve technical challenges and ensure smooth system-level performance.

What We Are Looking For

• Experience leading or mentoring multidisciplinary engineering teams, managing project schedules, and handling risk assessments.

• Strong background in the schematic design and architecture of complex 600V power electronic hardware systems.

• A solid understanding of the automotive product development life cycle, especially regarding supply chain factors, component selection, and production scalability.

• Practical experience defining test strategies, debugging hardware issues, and navigating certification processes (EMC, environmental, and safety regulations).

• The ability to work collaboratively across engineering disciplines and engage effectively with suppliers.

What We Offer

We offer a supportive, modern working environment alongside a competitive benefits package, including:

• Workplace pension (4% employee/5% employer contribution) and a discretionary employee share scheme.

• Employee Assistance Programme and Group Life Insurance.

• 25 days of annual leave plus all bank holidays.

• Free parking, corporate clothing, and complimentary drinks and snacks.

How to Apply

If you are looking to take the next step in your career and shape the future of electric vehicle technology, please submit your CV along with your salary expectations.

Randstad Technologies Ltd is a leading specialist recruitment business for the IT & Engineering industries. Please note that due to a high level of applications, we can only respond to applicants whose skills & qualifications are suitable for this position. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.