Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
Principal Electronics Engineer
Glasgow - Hybrid working
Overview
As a Senior Principal Electronics Engineer, you will be responsible for leading the architecture, design, development, integration, and qualification of complex electronic systems throughout the product lifecycle. You will work closely with systems, software, FPGA, mechanical and optical engineering teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet challenging operational and environmental requirements.
The role requires extensive experience in mixed-signal electronic design, video acquisition and processing, high-speed digital systems, and imaging technologies, combined with strong leadership and technical decision-making capabilities.
Key responsibilities of the role
Technical Leadership
- Provide technical leadership and governance across multiple programmes and engineering teams.
- Define electronic system architectures and technology strategies aligned with business and product roadmaps.
- Act as the technical authority for electronic design decisions, ensuring robustness, performance, and compliance with customer requirements.
- Lead design reviews and provide expert assessment of electronic architectures and design solutions.
- Influence future technology direction, identifying emerging technologies and opportunities for innovation.
Electronics & Mixed-Signal Design
- Lead the design and development of advanced mixed-signal electronic systems incorporating:
- High-performance analog front ends
- Precision data acquisition systems
- High-speed ADC and DAC interfaces
- Power management and distribution networks
- Sensor conditioning electronics
- High-speed serial communications
- Ensure optimisation of signal integrity, power integrity, noise performance, thermal performance, and EMC compliance.
- Drive design verification activities from circuit level through system qualification.
Video Processing & Imaging Systems
- Lead development of advanced video processing solutions for electro-optical and imaging systems.
- Define architectures for:
- Digital video acquisition
- Image sensor interfaces
- Video transport and distribution
- Real-time image processing
- Multi-sensor fusion
- Display processing systems
- Support development of systems using CMOS and infrared imaging sensors.
- Drive implementation of video interfaces including Camera Link, HD-SDI, DisplayPort, HDMI, MIPI CSI, LVDS-based imaging interfaces
- Work closely with FPGA and software teams to optimise image quality, latency, bandwidth, and system performance.
FPGA & Embedded Electronics
- Collaborate with FPGA teams on high-speed digital architectures and hardware acceleration solutions.
- Support implementation of:
- Real-time video pipelines
- Image enhancement algorithms
- Sensor control systems
- High-bandwidth memory architectures
- Contribute to system-level partitioning between electronics, FPGA and software elements.
Programme & Engineering Management
- Provide technical oversight throughout the full design lifecycle from requirements definition to in-service support.
- Support bids and proposals through technical assessments, solution definition, and cost estimation.
- Manage technical risks and develop mitigation strategies.
- Ensure engineering activities are aligned with project schedules, budgets, and quality standards.
- Mentor and develop senior and junior engineers across the electronics discipline.
Required Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Degree in Electronic Engineering or related discipline.
- Significant experience leading development of complex electronic systems within regulated industries.
- Extensive experience in mixed-signal electronic design.
- Strong understanding of analog and digital circuit design principles.
- Comprehensive knowledge of video acquisition, image processing and video distribution systems.
- Experience with imaging sensor technologies and associated interface electronics.
- Expertise in high-speed digital design and signal integrity analysis.
- Experience developing products through the full engineering lifecycle.
- Advanced use of schematic capture and PCB development tools such as:
- Cadence Allegro/ OrCAD/ Mentor Graphics/ Altium Designer
- Experience of board bring-up, integration and system-level debugging.
- Strong understanding of EMC and environmental qualification processes.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable
- Experience with FPGA-based video processing systems.
- Knowledge of image enhancement and computer vision techniques.
- Experience with embedded processors and SoC architectures.
- Familiarity with electro-optical systems and optronics products.
- Understanding of model-based systems engineering (MBSE).
- Experience within Defence, Aerospace, Maritime or Security sectors.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards chartership.
Personal Attributes
- Recognised technical expert capable of operating with minimal supervision.
- Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving capabilities.
- Innovative and technology-focused mindset.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and technical leadership teams.
- Strong mentoring and coaching skills.
- Passion for engineering excellence and continuous improvement.
Core Benefits:
On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes;
- Performance-related bonus
- Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
- 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
- 24 hours volunteering paid for
- Private healthcare (grade dependent)
- Pension scheme
- Life cover24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
- Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
- Gym membership discounts
- You can read about some of our other benefits here: UK benefits | Thales Group
Connect with Fiona Tal, Talent Acquisition Partner #LI-FT1 who is eager to explore together with you this exciting opportunity.
Security Clearance Requirement:
Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.
To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.
Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: .
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.
Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!