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Engineering

From requirements to an electronic product design.

We support MCU control, power and IoT projects through requirements review, component selection, schematic design, PCB layout and agreed firmware development. Component availability and lifecycle are considered during selection. Before work starts, we agree the design scope, interfaces, milestones, verification plan and deliverables; prototypes and later assembly can be quoted separately.

What’s included

  • MCU control and embedded applications
  • Power and IoT hardware design
  • Schematic design and PCB layout
  • Firmware and prototype verification as agreed
The challenge

Supply challenges.
Practical solutions.

What buyers typically face, and how we handle it.

Common sourcing challenges

Common pain points

  • Designs built around parts that are hard to buy
  • Separate teams for design, sourcing and assembly
  • Long iterations between prototype and production
  • No in-house hardware team for a new product
The SmicChip approach

How we solve it

  • Components selected with availability and lifecycle in mind
  • Design, sourcing, prototyping and PCBA with one team
  • DFM checks before the first build
  • Engineering support from concept to pilot run
Process

A clear, coordinated process.

One specialist owns your request from first message to delivery.

01

Define requirements

Confirm functions, interfaces, operating conditions and target cost.

02

Select architecture

Review the design approach, component availability and lifecycle.

03

Develop

Create schematics, PCB layout and firmware to the agreed scope.

04

Verify prototypes

Review prototype functions against the agreed test plan.

05

Handover

Deliver the contracted design files, BOM and verification records.

Start with an engineering brief

Define intended use, required functions, supply voltage and load, interfaces, operating conditions, size constraints, target cost and schedule. State which work is required: hardware, PCB layout, firmware, prototypes or a combination. For an existing board, provide the current files and the change requirements.

Make each review stage specific

  • Architecture and component selection: review the power and signal architecture, key components, lifecycle and supply risks. Record alternatives that still require validation.
  • Schematic review: check agreed items such as power distribution, protection, clock and reset circuits, interface levels, programming access and test points.
  • PCB layout review: review stack-up, component placement, return paths, decoupling, high-current paths, thermal considerations and manufacturing constraints as applicable.
  • Firmware scope: identify required drivers, communication behaviour, operating states and fault handling. Define source-code, build-environment and release requirements in advance.

Connect requirements to prototype verification

For each agreed function, define the test method, operating conditions and acceptance limits. Record results against the hardware and firmware revisions; track issues and required changes through the next revision. EMC, safety, environmental tests and production-readiness work are separate scope items when required.

Agree the design handover

Confirm the native project formats, schematics, PCB design files, BOM, manufacturing outputs, firmware source or binaries, build instructions and verification records included in the contract. Ownership, third-party licences, maintenance and later changes are agreed before work begins.

Benefits

Service benefits
for procurement teams.

Defined engineering scope

Agree the functions, interfaces and development responsibilities.

Requirements · Reviews · Deliverables

Supply-aware selection

Review component availability and lifecycle during selection.

Agreed deliverables

Specify design files, BOM, firmware and verification records in the project agreement.

Planned next steps

Use prototype results to define revisions and later assembly requirements.

Talk to a specialist

Share your requirement and get a written response.

Contact us
FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

MCU control boards, power and IoT hardware, including new designs and revisions to existing boards. Feasibility and scope are confirmed after reviewing your requirements.

Ownership, file formats, firmware source delivery and other deliverables are agreed in the project contract before work begins.

Yes. We can assess component alternatives and the required schematic, layout or firmware changes. Validation scope is agreed before implementation.

No. Prototype verification, any required compliance work and production-readiness activities must be agreed separately. Prototype and PCB/PCBA services can support these next steps.

Need help sourcing components?
Send us your requirements.