Graduate Component Engineer
About Pickering
The Pickering Group Ltd is a multinational group of electronics manufacturers headquartered in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, UK, with worldwide operations. The Group comprises three companies: Pickering Electronics, which manufactures reed relays; Pickering Interfaces, which produces switching systems; and Pickering Connect, which supplies supporting cables and connectors. Pickering employs about 600 people across two manufacturing facilities in the UK and the Czech Republic, along with over nine direct sales and support offices throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. All three companies are known for delivering innovative, high-quality products for the test and measurement industry—a sector experiencing significant growth driven by rapid technological advancement, increasing global regulation, and the rising complexity of electronic products.
What You Can Expect as a Graduate Component Engineer:
The Graduate Component Engineer supports the selection, qualification, and lifecycle management of electronic components used across our hardware designs. Working closely with design engineers, manufacturing, quality, and procurement, you will gain exposure to real-world product development and component decision-making from concept through production. This role offers an ideal opportunity to build a strong foundation in electronics, materials, and supply-chain-awareness within a supportive and innovative environment, with structured exposure to testing and hardware design activities to support future progression into a hardware design engineering role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with the selection and approval of electronic components.
- Support engineers with component alternatives, second sources and parametric comparisons.
- Maintain and update component libraries.
- Monitor component lifecycle status (NRND, LTB, EOL) and support obsolescence mitigation.
- Support last-time-buy analysis.
- Assist with BOM generation and BOM risk assessments.
- Ensure compliance with company standards and industry regulations (RoHS, REACH, etc.).
- Support testing and evaluation of electronic components and end products to assess performance, suitability and compliance with design requirements.
- Liaise with procurement and suppliers to gather technical and availability data.
- Contribute to the improvement of component selection processes and standards.
- Continue personal development by participating in training courses, seminars, and trade shows.
- Assist with internal and external quality system audits.
Required Qualifications:
Education:
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Degree in Electronic Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
Experience:
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Familiarity with schematic capture and PCB layout tools.
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Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.
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Exposure to BOMs and component datasheets.
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Familiarity with spreadsheets.
Skills/Competencies:
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Strong verbal and written communication skills.
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Problem-solving ability.
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Excellent attention to detail.
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Ability to prioritise tasks and work collaboratively.
What You Can Expect from Pickering:
People are at the heart of Pickering. We believe that each employee contributes directly to Pickering’s growth and success, in return we offer:
- A competitive salary.
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
- Buying and selling holiday. Employees can buy up to 10 days.
- Life Insurance x4 annual salary (Capped at £50k per annum).
- Corporate membership at the local gym and spa.
- A thorough induction program, including a Pickering Pal being assigned to you to ensure you feel welcome and to check in on you during your probation.
- Regular reviews and performance related pay increases (subject to business conditions).
- Employee wellbeing and mental health support through our partnership with Mind.
- Wellbeing Program with Spa Medical.
- Paid company social events such as a summer festival and Christmas party.
- Career progression.
- Training programmes.
- Sponsoring further education.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme.
- Potential for Worldwide Business Travel (role dependant).
- Free tea, coffee, and fresh fruit.
This role description is intended to provide a general overview of the role and its responsibilities. It is not exhaustive and may be subject to change to meet the needs of Pickering.
