Freelance hardware engineer career - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bborisov567
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2025, 12:23:48 pm
content: Hello, as a young engineer i would like to ask you what are the opportunities for a freelance electronics engineering. I have been working for around 3 years on big projects in my main job so i have some experience. According to my vision the best would be to design a device based on customer requirement. That would include hardware, software as well as mechanical design. Then perform tests on some prototypes to verify the design, give all the manufacturing documentation and get paid. If the client is within my county i could try to arrange the manufacturing but my main focus is design. Of course that workflow would be more suitable for custom niche devices rather than a mass production. My biggest challenge as of now is finding customers - where do you connect with somebody that needs your services? Also what is your opinion whether is better to pursue a career in a big corporate company or go freelancing, especially if your main focus is hardware design. I would like to hear your opinions, especially from the people located in the EU.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2025, 02:18:17 pm
content: All the freelancers I know did at least 10 years in "normal" employment before becoming a contractor - I think you want to get the experience because there is a lot you learn on the job that your customer will be expecting you to handle. For a friend of mine, the next job is just found by reference, when you get well known enough you will be turning down as many jobs as you take on!

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2025, 04:15:20 pm
content: You could maybe try and get a job with a consulting company that takes on jobs from clients and has their own engineering team work on them.Going it alone with just 3 years' experience is a total non-starter. Don't try to do this. You need to have the skills and experience to do 100% of a customer's job, and that'sincomparablyharder than doing, say, 80% of it.I'd agree with tom66, 10 years is a minimum, provided it's in a relevant field and you get plenty of customer contact during that time.If your heart is set on wanting to go it alone, at thevery least, hire a lawyer who is expert in intellectual property and contract law, get them to write your T&C's of engagement.Alwaysensure you're being paid for your IP one way or another, or that you retain ownership of it. Be very clear and explicit about this, both to yourself and your client.Neveragree to hand over any IP that a client isn't paying for, and remember that "no" is a complete and valid answer.(Disclaimer: I do exactly this for a living - 28 years total, with the last 11 spent as a self employed consulting engineer).

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2025, 07:06:53 pm
content: Your biggest challenge is not to find customers, but to get knowledgeable…

author: stretchyman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 09:31:29 am
content: Plenty of greedy agencies who will find the work for you so no problem there!Just post your CV on CV Library and go from there.You will need a lot of experience and I have only seen 3 people under the age of 50 in the last 20 years who knew anything about electronics.So there's plenty of work if you know what your are doing.I'd look at writing test software with Python and LabView(Yuk!) as it's simple and easy to do and the rates are £60/hr.I'd recommend to do this before going into full on design as you will need experience and a reputations first.J.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 09:50:12 am
content: Quote from: bborisov567 on June 30, 2025, 12:23:48 pmAs a young and keen EE, with access to the EU job market, you have a bright future ahead. But you don't have the experience _yet_ to move into contract work, you'll be competeing for work against engineers with 10+ years experience. Enjoy the stability of employment for a few more years, save some money for when you do switch to contract - work might not arrive quickly.BTW - one way of gaining customers is to work for them as an employee first, they get to know and trust you. Having a couple of old employers willing to give you work is a great start at contracting.

author: stretchyman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 12:57:53 pm
content: Wise words!Always leave on a high, you can always come back as a contractor on far more £££!J.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 01:22:36 pm
content: Quote from: bborisov567 on June 30, 2025, 12:23:48 pmYou have the last two the wrong way roundHard to give general advice as every situation is so different.I have never had a "real job" in the electronics industry but have been freelancing, along with the occasional own product, for 30+ years (and have never hired a lawyer).The only advice I'd give is that if you do a good job for someone, they will come back, and/or refer you to others.Long term, doing the best job should be a higher priority that earning the maximum possible from a job.