FPGA Design Engineers

Leonardo; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave

Award-winning pension scheme

Mental health support

Free online courses

Flexible working options

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense firm in the UK is seeking a Firmware Engineer to deliver complex Firmware for self-protection systems. Responsibilities include capturing Firmware requirements, FPGA design, and system integration. The ideal candidate will have an HNC/HND or undergraduate degree in relevant fields and experience with FPGA tools like Xilinx. This role offers a hybrid working model with extensive benefits including flexible working hours, bonus schemes, and a wellness program.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading Firmware teams or delivering complex embedded solutions.
• Knowledge of cryptography and anti-tamper techniques.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Capture and manage Firmware requirements.
• Perform system integration work with PCB designers.
• Support all firmware designs through the company firmware process.

Skills

FPGA design

Firmware requirements capture

Xilinx

TCL

Verilog

Fast interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet)

Machine learning

Education

HNC/HND or Undergraduate Degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science or related fields

Tools

Matlab

Simulink

Job description

Overview

Would you like to deliver the complex Firmware that forms part of our self-protection systems installed on fast jet, UAV, land and naval platforms? Do you have experience leading Firmware teams or delivering highly complex embedded solutions

What You Will Do

• Firmware requirements capture and management;
• FPGA design and analysis;
• Production of documentation for other engineers and evidence for design reviews;
• Development of FPGA test and FPGA integration plans;
• Perform system integration work with PCB designers;
• Support all firmware designs through the company firmware process – training will be given;
• Modification of existing firmware designs and test benches

What You’ll Bring

• An HNC/HND or Undergraduate Degree (Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, AI, Games Programming, Physics, or Applied Physics) or you may just have lots of skills and experience gained through your hard work.
• Design tools such as Xilinx, TCL, Verilog, System Verilog and UVM
• FPGA architectures such as Xilinx 7, Xilinx UltraScale; Intel (Altera) or Microsemi (Actel).
• Fast interfaces such as PCIe, Ethernet, and JESD is also required.
• Auto-generated code using model driven engineering using Matlab and Simulink tools
• Derivation of detailed FPGA/Firmware requirements and architecture from system requirements
• A structured approach to FPGA/firmware design (RTCA DO-254 or similar)
• Cryptography and anti-tamper techniques
• Artificial Intelligence including machine learning and genetic algorithms
• Electronics test methods and equipment
• Good verbal and written communication skills

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit the security page on our careers site.

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Location and Status

Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Additional Locations: GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid