Firmware Engineer

Akkodis; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Akkodis is seeking a Firmware / FPGA Engineer in the United Kingdom to join the UK engineering team. The role focuses on delivering advanced FPGA-based and software-defined systems for defence applications, integrating OpenCPI frameworks, and supporting modular design. Key responsibilities include developing RTL designs and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should have strong VHDL experience and a degree in Electrical Engineering. This role offers opportunities for ownership and leadership in engineering projects.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in RTL design for FPGA-based digital systems using VHDL.
• Experience with Xilinx, Lattice, or similar FPGA/SoC architectures.
• Familiarity with high-speed interfaces such as AXI, PCIe, Ethernet.

Responsibilities

• Deliver firmware and FPGA projects to agreed time, cost, and quality targets.
• Develop and verify RTL designs, including architecture and implementation.
• Collaborate across systems, hardware, and embedded software teams.

Skills

RTL design for FPGA-based digital systems using VHDL

Strong communication skills

FPGA development tools

Scripting ability using TCL

Education

Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or closely related discipline

Tools

Vivado

ModelSim

Job description

Location: United Kingdom

Reporting to: Practice Lead

Akkodis is a global leader in engineering, technology, and R&D, enabling digital transformation through connected data and advanced engineering expertise. Operating across 30 countries with over 50,000 engineers and digital specialists, we deliver innovative solutions across mobility, software, robotics, simulation, cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics.

We are currently seeking a Firmware / FPGA Engineer to join our UK engineering team, supporting the delivery of advanced FPGA-based and software-defined systems for defence and mission-critical applications. This role has a strong focus on OpenCPI-based system development and integration, alongside traditional FPGA and digital design responsibilities.

Role Overview

You will contribute to the design, development, integration, and verification of FPGA and SoC-based systems within a structured engineering environment. A key aspect of this role is working with OpenCPI (Open Component Portability Infrastructure) to support modular, reusable, and high-performance digital system architectures.

You will work closely with systems engineers, embedded software teams, and hardware designers to deliver robust and scalable digital solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver firmware and FPGA projects to agreed time, cost, and quality targets, with a strong emphasis on reuse and modular design principles
• Develop and verify RTL designs, including architecture, implementation, simulation, and hardware integration
• Support system-level integration using OpenCPI frameworks and component-based architectures
• Contribute to requirements analysis, design documentation, verification plans, and certification artefacts
• Collaborate across systems, hardware, embedded software, and algorithm teams
• Support process improvement, automation, scripting, and tooling enhancements
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety, security, and quality standards including DO-254, IEC 61508, IEC 62443, and ISO 26262 where applicable

Required Experience

• Strong experience in RTL design for FPGA-based digital systems using VHDL
• Experience with Xilinx (AMD), Lattice, or similar FPGA/SoC architectures
• Demonstrable experience working with or integrating systems using OpenCPI (or equivalent component-based FPGA middleware frameworks)
• FPGA implementation of algorithms developed in MATLAB/Simulink (algorithm development not required)
• Strong verification experience using OSVVM, UVVM, or UVM methodologies
• Familiarity with high-speed interfaces such as AXI, PCIe, Ethernet, JESD204, CameraLink, SMPTE, Wishbone, or OCP
• Experience with FPGA development tools such as Vivado, ModelSim, Diamond, Radiant, Vitis, or Propel
• Scripting ability using TCL or similar languages
• Working knowledge of DO-254 development processes
• Experience working within Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) in defence or regulated environments is highly desirable

Required Skills

• Strong communication skills with the ability to work across multi-disciplinary engineering teams
• Ability to take ownership of technical work packages
• Team leadership or technical leadership experience within small engineering teams is advantageous

Education

• Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or a closely related discipline