FPGA Engineer / Senior FPGA Engineer - Power Supplies

Diamond Light Source; Harwell; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Relocation assistance

Hybrid working

On-site facilities

Job summary

Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire is hiring a FPGA Engineer or Senior FPGA Engineer on a 3-year fixed-term contract to develop FPGA firmware for the Diamond‑II upgrade, focusing on quality, reliability and stability.

Responsibilities include HDL design for Xilinx FPGAs in Vivado, interfaces to ADC/DAC, testing with simulators and hardware, and collaboration with hardware teams to optimise performance. The role offers a hybrid arrangement with at least four days onsite.

Qualifications

• Formal HDL firmware development experience for FPGAs (Xilinx) in VHDL or Verilog.
• Experience with HDL simulation, verification, and hardware validation.
• Familiar with code management and version control tools.
• Knowledge of electrical circuit principles and lab measurement techniques (LTspice, etc).
• Proficient in C/C++/Python and microcontroller programming.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and overseas.
• Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering/Science; PhD advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and debug HDL code for Xilinx FPGAs in Vivado; full-cycle firmware.
• Design interfaces to ADCs, DACs, SRAM, Flash, sensors and microcontrollers.
• Test FPGA designs with simulation benches and on-hardware validation.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to optimise performance and Ethernet interfaces.
• Review and document HDL code to Diamond standards.
• Contribute to circuit design and prototype testing for FPGA control systems.

Skills

HDL firmware development

Xilinx FPGA experience

VHDL/Verilog

C/C++/Python

FPGA verification & testing

Code version control

Microcontroller knowledge

Circuit principles

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering/Science

PhD or equivalent experience

Tools

Vivado

LTspice

PSpice

Simscape

MATLAB

Git/version control

Job description

Harwell, Oxfordshire

As standard this role offers a hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of 4 days working onsite per week.

About Us

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron, serving scientists and researchers from around the world. It is a not-for-profit joint venture, providing academic and industry researchers access to facilities that enable world-changing science.

The machine generates extremely bright light that is directed into laboratories known as beamlines. Scientists use the light to find solutions to humanity’s most critical challenges, from health, food security and biotechnology to energy, climate change and advanced materials.

Diamond is in the process of upgrading to a fourth-generation synchrotron, generating a brighter and more coherent light. This will provide enhanced imaging and analysis capabilities, helping the UK to remain at the forefront of scientific discovery.

About the Role

We now have an opportunity for a FPGA Engineer or Senor FPGA Engineer to join our team, for a 3‑year fixed term contract, in developing FPGA firmware for the next generation of power supplies for the Diamond‑II upgrade project, focusing on quality, reliability, and stability

Applicants will be considered at either FPGA Engineer or Senor FPGA Engineer level, depending on the strength of your skills, experience and qualifications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and debug HDL code for Xilinx FPGAs in Vivado, implementing full-cycle firmware for Diamond magnet power supplies, including feedback control, filtering, and interlock handling using state machines.
• Design and integrate interfaces to peripherals such as ADCs, DACs, SRAM, Flash memory, sensors, and microcontrollers.
• Test and verify FPGA designs through simulation test benches and on-hardware validation using logic analysers.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers and the Control Group to optimise performance, resolve issues, and develop reliable Ethernet-based control interfaces.
• Review, refactor, and document HDL code in line with Diamond standards, ensuring proper version control and maintainability.
• Contribute to electronic circuit design, simulation (SPICE, MATLAB), PCB design, and prototype testing to support FPGA-based control system development.

As a Senior FPGA Engineer you will also:

• Lead the development, maintenance, and debugging of HDL code for FPGA (Xilinx)-based controllers, including full-cycle implementation of:
  • DLS Magnet power supplies’ controllers
  • State machines, signal conditioning algorithms (e.g., filters)
  • Interfaces to memories, digital and analog sensors, DACs, ADCs, and other peripherals.
  • Interfaces to control and monitoring GUIs developed by Control Group via ethernet.
• Lead the review and enhancement of legacy code to align with Diamond standards.

About You

You will hold an appropriate Engineering or Science degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) or possess equivalent experience, with proven practical experience in an industrial or scientific environment relevant to this position.

You will also demonstrate:

• A solid theoretical and practical knowledge of HDL firmware development for FPGAs (preferably Xilinx), using VHDL or Verilog.
• Strong experience with simulation, verification, and validation tools for FPGA code.
• Experience of using code management, version control, and repository tools.
• Basic knowledge of electrical and electronic circuit principles, laboratory-based testing and measurement techniques, and the use of electronic circuit simulation software such as LTspice, PSpice, or Simscape.
• Familiarity with microcontrollers, microprocessors, and programming languages including C, C++, or Python.
• Basic knowledge of linear control systems.
• A self‑motivated approach, demonstrating the ability to drive projects to completion, with meticulous attention to detail and a willingness to travel occasionaly within the UK and overseas.

As a Senior FPGA Engineer you will hold a bachelor’s degree plus significant relevant experience OR

Master’s degree plus demonstrable relevant experience OR PhD degree.

You will also demonstrate:

• Advanced and extensive theoretical and practical knowledge in firmware development and debug for FPGA (preferably Xilinx) in VHDL or Verilog.
• Advanced and extensive knowledge and experience in FPGA code simulation, verification and validation tools.
• Experience of using code management and version control software and tools
• Advanced knowledge of laboratory‑based testing and measurement equipment and techniques.
• knowledge and experience of programming languages, such as C/C++/Python or similar
• Experience of programming and debugging microcontrollers and microprocessors.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of electronic circuit principles and simulation software like LTspice, PSpice, Simscape, or similar tools.

Benefits

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme with a 2.3% accrual rate. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

Our campus-based location, with open green space, offers sports pitches, an outdoor gym, as well as a network of cycle, running and walking routes. Staff also have access to a range of onsite amenities including cafes, restaurants, a daycare nursery and free on‑site parking.

As standard this role offers a hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of 4 days working onsite per week, however, arrangements may be different during the probationary period.

The closing date for applications is 22nd November 2026, however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.

This role doesn't meet the criteria for visa sponsorship except for people already sponsored before 04/04/24 or meeting the 'new entrant' criteria- www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.