FPGA Engineer

Jobtailor; Harwell; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a senior FPGA architect to own architecture across spacecraft platforms. You will translate system needs into FPGA design strategies, design high-speed, high-reliability digital systems, and guide verification and validation.

You will shape standards, reusable IP, and collaborate with electronics and software teams, mentoring engineers and driving continuous improvement across programmes.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of FPGA architecture and digital design using HDL (VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog).
• Strong understanding of FPGA toolchains and ecosystems (Vivado, Quartus, Libero, Lattice).
• Knowledge of high-speed interfaces, data pipelines, and real-time processing systems.
• Understanding of FPGA and software integration, including embedded systems environments.
• Knowledge of verification, simulation, timing analysis, and design optimisation techniques.
• Understanding of fault-tolerant and resilient design approaches, including redundancy and error detection.
• Strong systems thinking, balancing performance, power, and reliability.
• Clear and structured approach to documentation, traceability, and design governance.
• Ability to make sound technical decisions and communicate them effectively.
• Collaborative mindset across multidisciplinary teams.
• Legal right to work in the chosen location.
• Application and CV submitted in English.

Responsibilities

• Define and own FPGA architecture across spacecraft platforms and missions.
• Translate system and mission needs into FPGA design strategies.
• Design high-speed, high-reliability digital systems for payload and platform applications.
• Drive architectural decisions across performance, power, and reliability trade-offs.
• Establish design standards, reusable IP, and scalable frameworks across programmes.
• Lead the FPGA lifecycle from concept through simulation, verification, and hardware validation.
• Shape verification approaches including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and fault injection.
• Support bring-up and optimisation of high-speed interfaces and complex data pipelines.
• Embed fault tolerance and resilience into system design.
• Act as the technical authority for FPGA, guiding decisions and resolving complex challenges.
• Work with electronics and software teams to ensure seamless integration.
• Engage with suppliers and partners on FPGA technologies and tooling.
• Contribute to design reviews, test campaigns, and anomaly investigations.
• Drive continuous improvement in FPGA design, build, and validation.
• Support and mentor engineers.
• Maintain architectural documentation, standards, and traceability.

Skills

FPGA architecture

HDL (VHDL Verilog SystemVerilog)

FPGA toolchains (Vivado Quartus Libero

High-Speed Interfaces

Embedded Systems

Verification

Timing Analysis

Redundancy/Fault Tolerance

Design Governance

Documentation

Tools

Vivado

Quartus

Libero

Lattice

Job description

• Define and own FPGA architecture across spacecraft platforms and missions
• Translate system and mission needs into FPGA design strategies
• Design high-speed, high-reliability digital systems for payload and platform applications
• Drive architectural decisions across performance, power, and reliability trade-offs
• Establish design standards, reusable IP, and scalable frameworks across programmes
• Lead the FPGA lifecycle from concept through simulation, verification, and hardware validation
• Shape verification approaches including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and fault injection
• Support bring-up and optimisation of high-speed interfaces and complex data pipelines
• Embed fault tolerance and resilience into system design
• Act as the technical authority for FPGA, guiding decisions and resolving complex challenges
• Work with electronics and software teams to ensure seamless integration
• Engage with suppliers and partners on FPGA technologies and tooling
• Contribute to design reviews, test campaigns, and anomaly investigations
• Drive continuous improvement in FPGA design, build, and validation
• Support and mentor engineers
• Maintain architectural documentation, standards, and traceability

Requirements

• Deep knowledge of FPGA architecture and digital design using HDL (VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog)
• Strong understanding of FPGA toolchains and ecosystems (Vivado, Quartus, Libero, Lattice)
• Knowledge of high-speed interfaces, data pipelines, and real-time processing systems
• Understanding of FPGA and software integration, including embedded systems environments
• Knowledge of verification, simulation, timing analysis, and design optimisation techniques
• Understanding of fault-tolerant and resilient design approaches, including redundancy and error detection
• Strong systems thinking, balancing performance, power, and reliability
• Clear and structured approach to documentation, traceability, and design governance
• Ability to make sound technical decisions and communicate them effectively
• Collaborative mindset across multidisciplinary teams
• Legal right to work in the chosen location
• Application and CV submitted in English

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in FPGA architecture and digital design, utilizing HDL languages such as VHDL and Verilog. Proficient in leading the FPGA lifecycle, ensuring seamless integration with software, and driving continuous improvement in design and validation processes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• FPGA Architecture
• HDL (VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog)
• FPGA Toolchains (Vivado, Quartus, Libero, Lattice)
• High-Speed Interfaces
• Fault-Tolerant Design

Hard Skills

• Digital Design
• Simulation
• Verification
• Timing Analysis
• Design Optimisation
• Data Pipelines
• Real-Time Processing
• Embedded Systems
• Architectural Documentation
• Design Governance

Soft Skills

• Systems Thinking
• Technical Decision-Making
• Effective Communication
• Collaboration

Industry Keywords

• High-Reliability Systems
• Fault Injection
• Redundancy
• Error Detection
• Continuous Improvement