Senior Electronics Design Engineer

About Photon Force

Photon Force Ltd is a leading innovator in advanced single-photon detection technology. Based in Edinburgh, we design and manufacture high-performance, time-resolved imaging solutions used in scientific research, medical applications, and next-generation imaging systems. Our products combine cutting-edge photonics, custom silicon, and high-speed electronics in compact and robust packages.

As we continue to expand and evolve, we're looking for a Senior Electronics Design Engineer to join our multidisciplinary R&D team and take ownership of advanced PCB and hardware design challenges for next-generation photon-counting camera systems.

Role Overview

You will play a key role in designing, developing, and validating high-speed digital and mixed-signal PCBs used in our industry-leading imaging products. You will also support system-level architecture decisions and collaborate with software, FPGA, and optical teams. This role is ideal for an experienced engineer with a strong background in Altium-based PCB design, high-speed signal integrity, and complex mixed-signal systems, ideally with a passion for photonics and innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design of high-speed, mixed-signal PCBs used in time-resolved imaging and single-photon detection systems.

• Develop modular and scalable hardware architectures using FPGAs, high-speed memory, and advanced interfaces (e.g., PCIe, LVDS, USB 3.1, CSI-2).

• Implement signal integrity best practices: impedance control, transmission line design, power distribution, reference planes, and EMI mitigation.

• Oversee product compliance testing (e.g., CE/UKCA), including root-cause analysis and board-level rework for EMC emissions and immunity.

• Support ASIC bring-up and validation using FPGA development platforms.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (embedded firmware, FPGA, optics, software) throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Maintain and evolve Photon Force’s internal hardware design ecosystem, including libraries, workflows, and documentation tools.

• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• BEng/MEng/MSc in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.

• 10+ years of experience in electronics hardware design, ideally in a product development environment.

• Proven expertise in:

  • Altium Designer for schematic capture and PCB layout.

  • High-speed digital design, signal integrity, and multi-layer PCB stack-ups.

  • Mixed-signal circuit design, including analogue front-ends, filters, ADCs/DACs.

  • Integrating and routing BGAs, FPGAs, and high-speed memory interfaces.

• Strong understanding of communication protocols: PCIe, SPI, I2C, USB, UART, etc.

• Experience with hands-on debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analysers, and lab equipment.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of photonics, optical sensors, or SPAD-based imaging systems.

• Experience with COB (Chip-on-Board) or HDI PCB design techniques.

• Firmware development experience with STM32 or similar MCUs.

• Experience with FPGA-based systems and HDL (Verilog/VHDL).

• Python scripting for test automation or hardware control.

• Familiarity with EMC/EMI compliance workflows and pre-compliance testing.

• Experience working in ISO9001 environment.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience.

• Opportunity to work at the cutting edge of photonics and imaging technology.

• Flexible working hours and a collaborative team environment.

• 35 days holiday (inclusive of public holidays).

• Pension scheme.

• Opportunities for personal and professional development.

Location:   Edinburgh commutable (Full time office based or Hyrbrid)

Salary: Negotiable and based on experience 

Please Note: You must be based in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.

We look forward to hearing from you.