PCB problems that look like firmware bugs
Practical hardware/software fault-isolation discussion.
Read more →For hardware hiring teams
Electronics and hardware recruitment
RunTime helps product teams hire electronics engineers across analog, digital, mixed-signal, RF and power work where those disciplines are relevant to the product and brief.
The hiring problem
A schematic or portfolio does not show how an engineer behaves when the first board fails.
Hiring teams need to separate participation from ownership across schematic design, layout decisions, bring-up, validation and manufacture.
Component choice, design calculations and diagnostic method often reveal more than a list of CAD tools.
The right evidence depends on the product: an RF role, power-conversion role and mixed-signal instrument should not be assessed as the same job.
Roles we recruit
Relevant roles
- Electronics design engineer
- Hardware engineer
- Analog or mixed-signal engineer
- Digital hardware engineer
- RF engineer
- Power electronics engineer
- Hardware technical lead
The role determines the required combination. These are not presented as skills every candidate must have.
What we assess
Evidence behind the CV
Assessment can explore:
- Schematic and PCB design ownership
- Design calculations, tolerances and component choices
- Board bring-up and diagnostic methods
- Signal integrity, power integrity and grounding decisions
- EMC, environmental validation and production testing
- DFM, DFT and experience taking a design into manufacture
How we search
A search built around the actual work.
We clarify the product, design stage, regulatory and manufacturing context, separate essential from adjacent experience, review relevant candidates and directly approach engineers whose ownership matches the brief.
What your shortlist contains
Reasons, evidence and open questions.
- Why the person is being recommended
- Evidence relevant to the brief and personal ownership
- Gaps or claims requiring further technical validation
- Location, work rights, remuneration expectations and availability
Relevant evidence and engineering insights
Read the thinking behind the assessment.
Logic analyser and oscilloscope debugging
A discussion of diagnostic tools and engineering evidence.
Read more →The art of schematic review
Existing guidance on finding design problems before layout.
Read more →Frequently asked questions
Practical questions before a search.
Do you recruit every electronics discipline?+
RunTime works across several hardware disciplines, but the search is defined around the client’s actual product and technical needs. We do not treat analog, RF, power and digital design as interchangeable.
Do we need a finished job specification before speaking?+
No. An initial discussion can clarify the role’s responsibilities, constraints and essential experience before the brief is finalised.
Can RunTime work with our existing interview process?+
Yes. RunTime’s assessment adds evidence and context before interview; it does not replace the employer’s technical evaluation or hiring decision.
What commercial terms apply?+
The applicable engagement model and fee are agreed in writing before a search begins. Current general terms are available on the Terms of Business page.
Discuss your hire
Start with the role and the engineering problem.
No finished job specification is required for an initial discussion.