Hardware Engineer

About Averna powered by Spherea

Averna powered by Spherea is a global engineering and technology business specialising in test, quality and validation solutions for complex and safety-critical products and systems.

With a heritage spanning more than 70 years, we support leading aerospace, defence and technology organisations throughout the complete product lifecycle – from engineering and development test through production and manufacturing test to in-service support, MRO and obsolescence management.

Our capabilities range from individual automated test systems and specialist test equipment through to complex integrated test facilities, supported by engineering services, software and instrumentation expertise.

The combination of Averna and Spherea brings together approximately 1,800 people worldwide with engineering, manufacturing and support capabilities across Europe, North America and Asia. In the UK we have a particularly strong heritage in aerospace and defence test and support and work closely with major OEMs, defence primes and equipment manufacturers.

Discover our brands and explore the career opportunities currently available: spherea.com • sphereadefense.fr

The role

You will design and develop electrical and electronic hardware for bespoke test systems, working with systems, software, mechanical, production and project engineering colleagues. The role spans the engineering lifecycle, from requirements and concept development through detailed design, integration, verification, commissioning and customer acceptance. The role is primarily based in Bournemouth, with occasional UK and overseas travel.

Key responsibilities

• Analyse customer and system requirements and develop practical hardware solutions, contributing to feasibility studies, concepts and system architecture.

• Design electrical and electronic hardware for automated and manual test systems; select and integrate instrumentation, power supplies, switching, data acquisition, communications and control equipment.

• Define interfaces between the test system, unit under test and associated equipment. Support bespoke electronic assemblies and PCB development where required.

• Produce and maintain specifications, schematics, wiring diagrams, interface definitions, bills of materials, design calculations, component-selection records, manufacturing information and verification documentation.

• Prepare hardware costings and estimates of materials and engineering effort; participate in internal and customer design reviews.

• Ensure designs meet functional, safety, reliability, maintainability, cost and schedule requirements, and identify technical risks, component obsolescence and opportunities for improvement.

• Work with engineering, procurement, production, quality and project teams; support procurement, manufacture, assembly and integration, and investigate design, integration and component-level faults.

• Support verification, validation, qualification, factory acceptance testing, installation, commissioning and customer acceptance, including equipment safety assessments and CE/UKCA conformity activities.

Essential skills and experience

• Degree, HNC/HND in electronic, electrical, aerospace engineering or a related discipline.

• Experience in an electrical or electronic hardware design role, with a sound understanding of analogue and digital electronics.

• Experience developing electrical/electronic equipment through the engineering lifecycle and selecting or integrating components, instrumentation or commercial hardware.

• Ability to produce clear electrical schematics, wiring information and supporting design documentation.

• Practical fault-finding and diagnostic skills, ideally to component level, and an understanding of manufacturing, assembly, integration and test processes.

• Ability to interpret technical requirements, solve problems methodically and develop robust, practical solutions.

• Effective written and verbal communication, collaborative working skills, and the ability to take ownership of engineering activities through to completion.

• Awareness of cost, schedule, technical risk and configuration control in a project-based environment.

• Full driving licence valid in the UK and ability to meet company vehicle-insurance requirements for occasional travel. Must have the right to work in the UK.

Desirable technical experience

Experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous:
• Aerospace, defence, space, rail, energy or another regulated sector; automated or special-to-type test equipment.
• 19-inch rack systems, electrical cabinets, wiring, data acquisition, instrumentation, signal conditioning or control systems.
• PCB design tools such as Altium, KiCad or OrCAD; microcontroller firmware or FPGA design/debugging.
• Power electronics, high-voltage systems, electrical safety, EMC design or compliance.
• Interfaces/protocols including Ethernet, RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, CAN, SPI or I²C.
• National Instruments hardware, LabVIEW or TestStand; SolidWorks Electrical or another electrical CAD package.
• CE/UKCA conformity, electrical safety standards, requirements management, verification and validation.
• Obsolescence management, legacy equipment replacement, maintainability and long operational life design.
• Multidisciplinary engineering teams or defence customers and security-classified programmes.

We offer:

• A collaborative and supportive team with true international reach
• An attractive salary package with benefits such as generous pension scheme (4% employee / 8% employer, full family health care plan, family health cash plan, 27 days holiday + bank holidays, Life assurance & income protection insurance
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth
• Be part of a company that puts people, planet, and performance at the heart of its ESG commitments. 

Our Group is committed to employment equity and to encouraging diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment, regardless of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Security requirements

Due to the nature of our aerospace and defence work, applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain the level of UK national security clearance required for the role.

Some projects may also be subject to additional nationality, residency or export-control restrictions. Any such restrictions will be considered as part of the recruitment process and will depend upon the programmes to which the successful candidate is assigned.