Sustaining Hardware Engineer

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Sustaining Hardware Engineer to join a growing technology organisation developing and manufacturing high-performance embedded computing solutions for the defence, aerospace, telecommunications and other high-reliability industries.

The company has been delivering high-end computer systems and associated hardware for over four decades and continues to experience strong year-on-year growth. With continued investment in new product development, existing product life cycles and engineering facilities, the business is expanding its Sustaining Engineering team.

This is a technically varied role focused on maintaining, improving and extending the lifecycle of complex electronic products already in production. The successful candidate will work across high-speed digital electronics, microprocessors, complex PCBs, memory, Ethernet and computer architectures, supporting component obsolescence, customer-specific modifications, troubleshooting and design verification.

This role would suit a technically strong hardware or electronics engineer with experience in high-speed digital circuit design who enjoys solving complex technical problems and working across multiple areas of electronic engineering. Defence experience is beneficial but not essential, with candidates from sectors such as medical, automotive and other high-reliability electronics environments also considered.

Main Responsibilities of the Sustaining Hardware Engineer (Colchester):

• Support and maintain existing high-end computer systems and associated electronic hardware
• Manage component obsolescence and identify suitable replacement or equivalent components
• Develop re-spins and modifications to legacy products to extend their operational lifecycle
• Investigate and resolve faults and technical issues within existing hardware designs
• Carry out small-scale hardware and schematic modifications to existing products
• Support customer-specific product modifications and customisation requirements
• Identify technical requirements and ensure appropriate analysis and development activities are completed
• Work closely with the CAD team on PCB layout and verify completed designs
• Conduct schematic and PCB design reviews
• Perform design verification and testing following hardware modifications
• Use laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, analysers and thermal chambers
• Support products through testing and verification to ensure reliability and performance
• Report technical issues, development activity and project progress
• Prepare and submit technical work for review as part of obsolescence management activities
• Work collaboratively with design engineering, technical support and other internal teams
• Provide technical input and feedback to improve engineering processes and methodologies

Requirements of the Sustaining Hardware Engineer (Colchester):

• Experience working with complex electronic systems and PCBs
• Strong debugging and fault-finding skills
• Experience modifying and troubleshooting existing hardware designs
• Ability to understand and work from complex schematics
• Experience with design verification and electronic testing
• Comfortable working with laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes and analysers
• Ability to work collaboratively across engineering and technical teams
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Computer Engineering or a related discipline would be advantageous

Experience with in one or more of the following technology areas would be highly advantageous:

• Microprocessor-Based Systems
• PC Motherboard Architecture
• High-Speed Signalling
• High-Speed Ethernet
• Complex Memory / DDR4
• PCI Express
• Intel or ARM Chipsets
• Complex PCB Design
• Embedded Systems
• Component Obsolescence
• Electronic Debugging
• Experience working with PC motherboard architecture and 64-bit microprocessors
• Experience with PCI Express, Ethernet or DDR4 memory technologies
• Experience with programmable logic devices or FPGA technology
• Knowledge or appreciation of embedded software
• Experience with Intel or ARM chipsets
• Experience managing component obsolescence and product lifecycle extensions
• Experience modifying existing hardware designs and supporting customer‑specific requirements
• Experience with in defence, aerospace, telecommunications, medical or automotive electronics
• Experience working with technically complex, high-reliability electronic products