Digital Design Engineer (FPGA)

SoCode Recruitment; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SoCode Recruitment in Cambridge, United Kingdom, is seeking a hands-on Digital Design Engineer to own RTL blocks from spec through implementation and verification, delivering hardware-ready designs for FPGA platforms.

You will work with Verilog or VHDL, apply fixed-point DSP concepts, and collaborate with senior engineers across digital RF, signal processing, and the broader product lifecycle in a well-equipped lab environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years hands-on RTL development for FPGA platforms (Verilog or VHDL)
• Strong grasp of fixed-point DSP techniques (filters, FFTs, correlators)
• Hands-on experience with AMD/Xilinx FPGA devices and their design toolchain
• Track record of carrying a design from spec through implementation and test to working hardware

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of significant RTL blocks from specification through implementation and verification
• Work alongside senior/principal engineers to broaden experience across digital RF, signal processing, and product lifecycle
• Collaborate closely within a small team and contribute to debugging in a lab setting

Skills

RTL development

Verilog/VHDL

Fixed-point DSP

FPGA toolchain

C/C++ embedded

Lab debugging hardware

Team collaboration

Tools

MATLAB

Job description

Are you looking to take the next step in your career, continuing an emphasis on Digital Design?

Do you want to join a close knit team where you'll receive L&D, support from your colleagues, career growth, and have the ability to work on personal projects in a well-equipped lab?

This is a brand new role in an established digital design team, working in the communications space.

This role puts you at the heart of physical layer design. You'll take ownership of significant blocks of RTL from specification through implementation, verification and into working hardware. You'll work alongside senior and principal engineers who'll support you as you broaden your experience across digital RF, signal processing and the wider product lifecycle, with genuine hands-on lab time and access to serious equipment.

What You'll Bring:

• 2+ years' hands-on RTL development for FPGA platforms (Verilog or VHDL)
• Strong grasp of fixed-point DSP techniques - think filters, FFT implementations, correlators
• Hands-on experience with AMD/Xilinx FPGA devices and their design toolchain
• A track record of carrying a design the full distance (from spec, through implementation and test, to hardware that actually works)
• Comfortable picking up and extending an established codebase, not just starting from a blank sheet
• A natural communicator who's happy asking questions and working closely within a small, collaborative team
• Driven to keep learning and sharpening your skills over time

Also Valued:

• Exposure to physical-layer RTL for wireless comms - cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, satellite... any of these are relevant
• Comfortable using MATLAB for DSP or comms-related work
• Working knowledge of C or C++ in an embedded context
• Experience debugging live hardware in a lab setting

This is a team that sticks around. Attrition is genuinely low, and most of the earliest hires are still there. Expect a strong social side outside of work too.

For this role you must be based in the UK and have full right to work. Sponsorship is not provided.