Head of Electronics

Posted By: George Hixon
Salary: £80,000 - £100,000
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Job Type: Permanent
Category: Electronics

We are supporting a high‑technology organisation operating in the space and defence sector, seeking a Head of Electronic Systems to lead the technical direction and delivery of mission‑critical electronic systems.

This is a senior engineering leadership role responsible for governing and coordinating multi‑disciplinary electronic engineering teams across analogue, digital, mixed‑signal and power domains. The role combines systems‑level technical authority with people leadership, ensuring electronic subsystems meet stringent performance, reliability, compliance and manufacturability requirements.

Reporting into the Head of Engineering, the position plays a key role in delivering integrated electronic solutions across complex RF and communications platforms used in highly regulated environments.

You must be able to obtain Security Clearance (SC) for this opportunity

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and govern electronic systems across space and defence programmes.
• Provide technical authority across analogue, digital, mixed‑signal and power electronics.
• Set engineering standards, assurance practices and design governance frameworks.
• Own electronic subsystem delivery from concept through qualification and release to manufacture.
• Coordinate system integration across electronics, RF, FPGA, firmware and mechanical engineering teams.
• Manage technical risk, interface definition and subsystem performance trade‑offs.
• Oversee verification, validation, reliability and compliance activities.
• Lead obsolescence, lifecycle and technology planning for electronic systems.
• Mentor senior engineers and develop capability across the electronics function.
• Contribute to long‑term electronics and system technology roadmaps.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Electronic Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience leading multi‑disciplinary electronics teams in space, defence or other mission‑critical sectors.
• Strong systems‑level background across digital, analogue and mixed‑signal electronics.
• Experience operating within regulated environments requiring formal design assurance and qualification.
• Credibility to act as technical authority with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience with space or defence qualification programmes.
• Knowledge of RF system integration and the electronics to RF boundary.
• Exposure to software‑defined or mixed digital‑RF architectures.
• Involvement in platform or long‑lifecycle product development.