Senior Electronics Design Engineer

Job title: Senior Electronics Design Engineer                 

Location: Ashford, Kent                       

Company: QinetiQ Target Systems

Salary: Competitive

Hours: 37 hour per weeks

About the role
We are currently recruiting a Senior Electronics Engineer to join QinetiQ Target Systems (QTS) within our Engineering Team. QTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of QinetiQ Group PLC specialising in the design and manufacture of a range of state of the art Unmanned Aerial and Surface Target systems including the world leading Banshee target.

QTS targets are used to enable realistic weapons test and evaluation and operator training in over 40 countries worldwide with QTS providing a complete managed service in over 15 of these countries.

What will I be doing?

Reporting to the Electronics Engineering Manager, you will join a dynamic team of engineers who are responsible for the design and development of electronic systems and payloads for a family of Unmanned Target Vehicles. This role requires a strong understanding of Electronic Design Principles and the successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams, including mechanical and software engineers, to ensure all systems meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Duties will include:

• Electronic System Design


• Detailed low-level analogue and digital design to support both new and legacy products.


• Production and maintenance of design records in accordance with company procedures


• Project Management


• Provide Technical Support to Engineering Trials Activities.


• Mentoring and assisting in the training of more junior electronic design engineers


• PCB Design


• FPGA Design using VHDL


• Occasional international travel to support worldwide operations may be required

What do I need?

You will be degree qualified in a relevant field or have equivalent experience and have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in an electronic engineering development environment.

You’ll also need to have experience in the design of electronic products, a good working knowledge of PCB and component level circuit design and hands on experience of using electronic test and measurement equipment.

Experience in the design of RF products is desirable as is being or a desire to work towards Chartered Engineer status.  

We also ask that you:

• are competent in technical report writing


• have excellent communication skills


• have a genuine interest to work with product realisation


• are creative and pragmatic


• are interested and willing to handle a diverse portfolio of projects and assignments


• have strong time management skills


• are self-driven and able to deliver


• use structured and documented work methods

Please note that all applicants must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What else do I need to know?

Joining QinetiQ offers you an opportunity to work on a broad range of interesting defence-based projects with vast career progression across a global organisation in addition to competitive personal and professional benefits.  

You’ll receive a competitive salary and benefits package: our basic salaries are very attractive as we constantly review what’s happening in the market.

The range of benefits that we offer include flexible/hybrid working, ample holiday entitlements, generous company pension contributions, health cash plan, cycle to work, private medical insurance and dental insurance and much more. 

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.  www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance


• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days


• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance


• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more


• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme


• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process:

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels value, heard and supported.  If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which mean factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)