Electronics Engineer (Contract)

Native designs products that get made. Since 1997 we've worked across the US, Europe and Asia for the companies that take the object seriously: Bowers & Wilkins, Bang & Olufsen, Audi, Coloplast, Baxter, Bentley, HP and others we can't name yet. Along the way we've collected more international design awards than any independent studio in Europe. We've turned down every offer to be acquired because independence is what lets us tell a client the truth.

Job Description

We're looking for an Electronics Engineer to work alongside our studio on a project basis (initial term 2-4 months), creating prototypes ranging from quick electronic and electrical proofs of concept to higher-fidelity versions with new PCB layouts. You'll stitch together development kits and off-the-shelf hardware where that's the fastest route to an answer and move to multi-layer custom PCB design when a project demands it. Working closely with our mechanical engineers and designers, you'll help define specifications, organise prototype production and board population, then test and rework until the electronics do exactly what the product needs them to do.

This engagement suits someone who was building electronic projects of their own before they ever started a degree and kept doing it since - someone with a strong point of view on what they want to build and the self-direction to pursue it without much oversight. You're happy to pick up new skills as a matter of course, since the work will ask this of you most days, and you're excited to help shape new kinds of products and experiences rather than just execute a brief.

Key Responsibilities

• Create a wide range of electronic and electrical prototypes
• Develop higher-fidelity versions with new PCB layouts
• Combine development kits and off-the-shelf prototyping hardware (Arduino, Adafruit and similar) where that's the fastest route to an answer
• Modify and rework existing electronic products and assemblies as needed
• Work closely with mechanical engineers and designers to define specifications
• Design multi-layer PCBs using your CAD package of choice
• Organise prototype production and board population, working with external fabrication and assembly partners where needed
• Test and rework designs through iterative cycle.
• Work to tight project deadlines

Your profile

You're a capable electronics engineer with a genuine track record of building things beyond the classroom, available for freelance project work. You likely hold a university degree in electronic engineering or a related discipline (2:1 or above), but what matters more is what you've built with it.

Technical Experience

We do not require expertise in every area listed below, but strong working knowledge across several is expected:

• Good understanding of the principles of designing, manufacturing and testing electronics
• Experience with Python
• Experience writing embedded firmware for common "go-to" microcontrollers
• Skills in designing digital electronic systems
• Experience with internal comms protocols such as I2C, I2S, SPI, UART, 1-Wire
• Experience designing external comms such as USB
• Experience with IoT devices (desirable)
• Understanding of video drivers for controlling screens (desirable)
• Understanding of capacitive input devices (desirable)
• Experience with battery management, charging and regulation
• Networking of microcontroller devices such as Arduino (desirable)

About us

Native is an independent design and innovation firm, with a unique blend of industrial, digital, and service design expertise. We pioneer ground-breaking products and services for some of the world's most innovative brands across consumer electronics, healthcare, wellness and automotive.

We pride ourselves on having assembled a world class team of designers, developers, anthropologists, strategists, engineers, and tastemakers. They have come to our studios from all over the world and share a passion for brilliant creative thinking and a ruthless attention to detail.

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