The most in-demand Electronics Engineer skills

In the UK, electronics engineering is advancing at a remarkable pace. The speed of innovation demands more from engineers than ever before, and as a result, the skills employers prioritise have evolved.

At Redline Group, we see this first-hand. Every day, our consultants speak with engineering leaders across various sectors, giving us an understanding of which electronics engineer skills are in highest demand. See the most in-demand skills for electronics engineers today and how they shape electronics engineer jobs across the industry.

Why are top electronics engineer skills in such high demand?

Electronics engineers have always played a central role in product development, but the scope of the job has expanded. As a result, employers need engineers who can operate confidently across multiple domains.

Sector growth is also creating increased demand. Studies highlight continuing skills shortages and the need for more engineering talent across the UK and Europe. When combined with rapid advances in areas like Wireless Communications, Space, EV systems and high-performance computing, it’s clear why employers are investing heavily in designers with the right blend of skills.

For engineers, this brings real opportunity. Whether you’re early-career or moving into senior positions, developing the most relevant electronics engineering skills can open doors across automotive, aerospace, defence, medical, consumer and semiconductor sectors. 

What technical electronics engineer skills do employers look for?

Every organisation has its own focus, but most electronics engineer jobs require a solid foundation of core skills. These demonstrate an engineer’s ability to design safe and commercially viable hardware across entire product lifecycles.

1. Mixed-signal design and PCB development

Modern systems often combine analogue measurement, digital control and high-speed interfaces. Because of this, mixed-signal capability remains one of the most in-demand skills for electronics engineers. Employers look for engineers who can:

• Design analogue, digital and power circuitry
• Perform schematic capture and multi-layer PCB layout in tools such as Altium, KiCad or OrCAD
• Address EMC, signal integrity, creepage/clearance and thermal design from the early stages
• Engage with manufacturing teams on DFM, DFT and prototype builds
   

2. Embedded systems and microcontroller programming

Even hardware-first roles increasingly involve embedded software awareness. Engineers don’t always need to be firmware specialists, but they do need to understand how hardware and firmware interact.

In-demand electronics engineering skills include:

• Familiarity with microcontroller platforms such as ARM Cortex-M, PIC or STM32
• C/C++ fundamentals for embedded programming
• Board bring-up, debugging and peripheral configuration
• Understanding of communication stacks, bootloaders and RTOS concepts

When electronics engineers can collaborate confidently with firmware teams, development moves faster and the overall design becomes more robust.

3. High-speed digital and FPGA integration

In high-performance applications, high-speed digital skills are critical. Employers value engineers who can:

• Design with FPGAs, SoCs, microprocessors and high-speed interfaces
• Work confidently with DDR memory, LVDS, PCIe and other fast interconnects
• Understand impedance control, differential routing and signal integrity
• Bring together multiple subsystems into a stable architecture

For engineers aiming towards Principal or Lead Electronic Design Engineer roles, this experience is often a differentiator.

4. Power electronics skills

Power electronics is an excellent upskilling path for mid-career engineers, particularly those seeking roles in energy, automotive or industrial sectors.

Employers typically look for engineers experienced in:

• Designing DC-DC, AC-DC and motor drive solutions
• Using power semiconductor devices (IGBT, MOSFET, GaN, SiC)
• Heat dissipation, efficiency optimisation and protection strategies
• Handling high-power prototypes safely and effectively
   

5. Connectivity, networking and IoT-related protocols

Connectivity is now a standard requirement across many products. Even engineers who are not IoT specialists are expected to understand how different connectivity technologies influence hardware design.

The most in-demand electronics engineer skills include knowledge of:

• Wired protocols: CAN, RS485/422, Ethernet, USB, SPI, I²C
• Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy, cellular and low-power networks
• Device security considerations, secure boot and OTA update architecture

Soft skills that employers value

Technical expertise l gets you shortlisted, soft skills are what help you progress. Engineering teams increasingly work in agile, cross-disciplinary environments where communication and collaboration matter just as much as technical output.

The most in-demand soft skills for electronics engineers include:

• Communication: writing clear specifications, discussing complex issues with non-technical stakeholders and supporting customer conversations
• Analytical problem-solving: isolating faults, diagnosing intermittent issues, and applying structured testing approaches
• Teamwork: collaborating with mechanical, software, test and manufacturing specialists throughout the product lifecycle
• Organisation and documentation: maintaining design histories, version control and traceability, especially in regulated sectors
• Leadership potential: guiding junior engineers, influencing design decisions and supporting project direction
   

What emerging electronics engineering skills are shaping future roles?

As technology evolves, so does the profile of a well-rounded electronics engineer. Some of the most important emerging skills include:

Digital, data and automation skills

Engineers who can use MATLAB, Python or similar tools for automating test workflows, analysing datasets or modelling system behaviour have a strong advantage.

Model-based design and advanced simulation

Early-stage simulation using SPICE, system-level modelling and multi-physics tools can significantly reduce development cycles, a capability increasingly favoured by R&D teams.

Functional safety and compliance awareness

Sectors such as aerospace, medical and automotive rely heavily on safety-critical design. Understanding standards like IEC 60601, ISO 26262 or DO-254 helps engineers operate confidently in regulated environments.

Cybersecurity-conscious hardware design

As connected products become the norm, engineers must factor security into hardware decisions, from secure storage elements to physical attack resistance. NCSC resources are particularly helpful for engineers exploring this area.

Sustainability and efficiency awareness

More organisations now evaluate energy efficiency and long-term reliability. Engineers who understand sustainability targets and energy management bring long-term value.

How to showcase skills when applying for electronics engineer jobs?

Even with strong capability, many engineers under-represent themselves in applications. To stand out, focus on:

• Making skills explicit: list tools, protocols, platforms and standards clearly
• Showing outcomes: explain how your work improved reliability, cost, efficiency or performance
• Demonstrating range: highlight mixed-signal design, embedded collaboration, testing and documentation
• Preparing specific project stories that evidence your strongest skills
   

Find your next electronics engineering role with Redline

Understanding the most in-demand electronics engineer skills helps you move with purpose. Electronics engineering continues to be one of the most innovative and rewarding areas of the technology sector, and the right skill set can open doors to future-proof careers.

Redline Group has specialised in electronics recruitment for over 40 years. We change lives every day by building world-class teams. Our knowledge-led approach and deep understanding of the electronics sector enable us to match engineers with opportunities where they can truly genuinely thrive.

If you’re exploring your next step, browse our latest electronics engineering jobs today.