The Role
Lead end-to-end architecture, schematic and high-speed PCB design, signal- and power-integrity simulation, bring-up, verification, and characterization of electronic systems for optical interconnects. Collaborate with FPGA, RF, and photonics teams, produce design documentation and verification evidence, and drive designs from prototype to manufacture.
Summary Generated by Built In
We are looking for a Senior Electronics Engineer to architect, design, implement, and verify complex electronic systems across our optical interconnect development. The work spans high-speed digital and mixed-signal electronics, board-level architecture, high-speed PCB design, video interfacing, and the electronic interfaces to optical devices.
This is a broad, senior role that runs the full development lifecycle — from concept and architecture, through schematic design, PCB layout, and signal-integrity analysis, to bring-up, verification, and characterisation. You will take ownership of designs end to end and set the engineering standard for others to follow.
It is a hands-on role for an engineer who is equally at home defining an architecture, driving an eCAD design through to manufacture, and debugging it on the bench. You will work alongside dedicated FPGA, RF, and photonics engineers, so deep FPGA RTL experience is welcome but not essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Architect, design, implement, and verify complex electronic designs spanning high-speed digital, mixed-signal, video, and optical interfacing.
- Define system and board-level architectures, translating requirements into electronic designs with clear interfaces, budgets, and verification plans.
- Produce schematics and high-speed PCB layouts using eCAD tools such as Altium, applying sound high-speed layout techniques — controlled impedance, length and skew matching, return-path and power-integrity management.
- Carry out signal-integrity and, where relevant, power-integrity simulation to guide design decisions before manufacture.
- Design the electronic interfaces to optical devices and the supporting digital and video interfaces, working closely with the FPGA, RF, and photonics engineers.
- Lead board bring-up, verification, and characterisation, and resolve issues across the hardware and firmware boundary.
- Author and maintain design documentation, verification evidence, and test procedures, and contribute to design reviews and engineering standards.
- Collaborate across photonics, RF, FPGA, and systems engineering, and support the path from prototype to manufacture.
- Contribute to FPGA design and bring-up where required, working with the FPGA engineers.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Degree (BEng/MEng) or PhD in Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with substantial relevant experience at senior level (typically 6+ years).
- Proven track record architecting, designing, implementing, and verifying complex electronic systems through the full development lifecycle.
- Schematic capture and high-speed PCB design using eCAD tools such as Altium.
- Sound knowledge of high-speed PCB layout techniques: controlled impedance, differential routing, length/skew matching, and power integrity.
- Signal-integrity simulation (for example HyperLynx, Ansys SI, ADS, or similar).
- Hardware bring-up, verification, and characterisation, with strong analytical and debugging skills.
Advantage
- FPGA design in VHDL or Verilog/SystemVerilog, including high-speed serial interfaces and timing closure.
- Digital video interfacing (for example HDMI) or comparable high-bandwidth digital protocols.
- Electronic interfacing to optical or other sensor/transducer devices.
- A proven track record of delivering electronic designs into production.
Benefits
- Pension scheme
- Private medical & dental insurance
- 28 days’ holiday + bank holidays
- Relocation support
- Visa support available
About
About PlesseyWe’re building the hardware foundation for next-era computing.Plessey is a world-leading technology company driving the next generation of photonic devices and systems. With over 70 years of innovation, we combine research, materials science, process engineering, and manufacturing under one roof. We’re recognised as a global authority in microLED displays, optical computing, and optical interconnects.Join us to work on breakthrough technologies shaping the future of light-based technology and computing.LeadWe don’t follow industry trends; we create them, pushing boundaries and setting standards others aspire to. Every team member has the power to make decisions, drive change, and deliver excellence. We support each other, challenge one another for the best solutions, and lead by example. Together, we build industries and technologies that shape the future and scale toward our vision of the next era of computing.GrowWe expand our capabilities every day — deepening our expertise, improving how we work, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Curiosity fuels us: we question assumptions, explore new ideas, and innovate with light-based technologies. By investing in and empowering our people, we strengthen Plessey’s impact and help shape the future of optical technology.TrustWe operate like a family—honest, reliable, and supportive. We have each other’s backs, own our actions, and uphold the highest standards of integrity and safety. We trust each other to deliver, our customers to challenge us, and our expertise to guide the way. Together, trust enables the collaboration essential for breakthrough innovation and lasting impact.
Skills Required
- Degree (BEng/MEng) or PhD in Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field
- Substantial senior-level experience (typically 6+ years) in electronic systems design
- Proven track record architecting, designing, implementing, and verifying complex electronic systems through full development lifecycle
- Schematic capture and high-speed PCB design using eCAD tools such as Altium
- Sound knowledge of high-speed PCB layout techniques: controlled impedance, differential routing, length/skew matching, return-path and power-integrity management
- Signal-integrity and power-integrity simulation experience (e.g., HyperLynx, Ansys SI, ADS, or similar)
- Hardware bring-up, verification, characterisation, and strong analytical/debugging skills
- FPGA design experience (VHDL or Verilog/SystemVerilog) and high-speed serial interfaces
- Digital video interfacing (for example HDMI) or comparable high-bandwidth digital protocols
- Experience interfacing electronics to optical devices or sensors
- Proven track record of delivering electronic designs into production
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The Company
What We Do
Plessey is a UK-based technology company specializing in the design and manufacturing of advanced microLED display solutions. They utilize a proprietary GaN-on-Silicon platform to produce high-performance, high-density RGB pixel arrays for applications in Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and other head-mounted display systems. The company operates integrated manufacturing facilities in Plymouth, England, focusing on the next generation of photonic technologies for computing and display engines.
