Principal Electronics Engineer

Principal Electronics Engineer

Stafford / Rugeley, Staffordshire

Up to £70,000

The Opportunity

KO2's client is a specialist engineering business operating in a highly regulated and technically demanding sector. They design, manufacture, and deliver electronic systems where performance and reliability are paramount, working on programmes that have genuine real-world impact. This is a rare opening for a Principal Electronics Engineer to join a small, expert team working on some of the most technically challenging and commercially significant projects in their field.

Why This Role Is Worth Your Attention

This is not a box-ticking electronics role. You will be working on complex, high-integrity systems that require serious analogue design capability and the confidence to take technical ownership from concept through to delivery. The team is experienced, the work is meaningful, and your contribution will be visible. Specifically, you will be involved in the design and development of electronic systems used in weapons interface applications for the UK defence sector, requiring SC security clearance.

This particular position is based at the client's Rugeley office in Staffordshire and is ideally suited to engineers in and around the Stafford, Cannock, or Lichfield areas. The role does require periodic travel to the client's principal site in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, typically one to two days per week or fortnight. Travel and hotel accommodation for those visits are fully covered by the company, so there are no out-of-pocket costs for the engineer. Overnight stays will be in the High Wycombe area.

The working week is 4.5 days (Friday afternoon off), with an initial site-based period at Rugeley that reduces over time as trust is established.

Key Responsibilities

Leading the design and development of complex electronic systems from concept through to production and in-service support
Acting as technical authority for electronics across multiple concurrent programmes
Defining system and subsystem requirements to meet customer, regulatory, and operational needs
Providing expert guidance on analogue and mixed-signal electronic design, architecture, and component selection
Conducting circuit analysis, simulation, and formal design reviews
Overseeing schematic capture and guiding PCB layout activities
Supporting verification, integration, qualification, and production phases
Mentoring and developing engineers within the team
Representing the business in technical reviews and customer meetingsWhat We Are Looking For

Essential:

HNC, HND, degree or equivalent qualification in Electrical or Electronic Engineering
Significant experience designing electronic systems in high-reliability or regulated industries
Strong analogue electronics design and circuit simulation expertise
Experience with communication protocols such as RS485, SPI, I2C, CAN or similar
Solid understanding of component selection, derating, reliability, and lifecycle considerations
Ability to produce and review schematics and technical documentation to a high standard
Understanding of PCB design principles, layout supervision, and design-for-manufacture
Self-motivated and confident leading technical delivery in a fast-paced environment
Comfortable with occasional overnight stays as part of a planned travel scheduleDesirable:

Experience with EMC design
Digital circuit design background
Wiring definition experience
Familiarity with Altium Designer
Prior experience in defence or aerospaceSecurity Requirements

Due to the nature of the programmes involved, candidates must be British nationals and eligible for SC security clearance. Candidates who are dual nationals may be considered in certain circumstances, but this will require discussion at interview stage. A clean criminal record is required. BPSS screening will be conducted at the point of offer.

Salary and Package

Up to £70,000 basic salary, plus pension, life insurance, and a competitive wider benefits package. All approved travel and hotel costs for visits to the High Wycombe site are met in full by the company. Full package details will be provided at the appropriate stage.

To apply or find out more, please contact the KO2 team in confidence
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed