FPGA & VHDL Engineer

Morson Edge; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm located in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Electronic & Firmware Engineer to deliver engineering expertise for a railway project. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in FPGA and PCB design, alongside a degree in Electronic Engineering and substantial experience in the railway industry. This role involves developing firmware, maintaining quality standards, and supporting project delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in the design and development of electronic control equipment.
• Proficient in developing FPGA-based systems.
• Knowledge and experience in designing for electromagnetic compatibility.

Responsibilities

• Develop FPGA firmware in VHDL and conduct testing.
• Design and develop PCB hardware for the rail industry.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards for rail electronics.

Skills

VHDL programming

FPGA development

PCB design

Electrical & Electronic CAD systems

Communication skills

Education

Engineering degree in Electronic Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Altium

Job description

Electronic & Firmware Engineer

Location: Barton-under-Needwood

Contract: Outside IR35

Job Purpose

To provide electronic and firmware engineering expertise to engineering and project teams delivering a locomotive re‑power project for Hong Kong.

Qualifications & Experience

• Engineering degree (or equivalent) in Electronic Engineering
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in the design, development, and testing of electronic control equipment hardware within the railway industry
• Experience using Electrical & Electronic CAD systems (e.g., AutoCAD, Altium)
• Proficiency in VHDL programming and developing FPGA‑based systems
• Experience in digital and analogue electronics hardware design and PCB manufacture
• Knowledge and experience in designing for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

Essential Attributes

• Positive attitude, self‑motivated and aware of personal strengths
• Able to work with limited supervision, manage workload effectively, and make sound decisions
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present technical issues clearly and concisely
• Proficient in the use of common office applications and tools, including Microsoft® Office™
• Willingness to work at different locations (potentially abroad) to support project delivery and product performance

Principal Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Develop FPGA firmware in VHDL, including programming, debugging, and testing
• Implement amendments to FPGA software in response to design changes or issues
• Apply understanding of FPGA architecture to optimise performance
• Integrate FPGA software with wider system components
• Design and develop PCB hardware for the rail industry, including schematic capture, layout, and manufacturing
• Apply modifications to existing PCB designs and troubleshoot using Altium
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulations, and best practices for rail electronics
• Produce and check technical documentation, including specifications, design information, test plans, reports, and verification evidence
• Provide evidence to support conformance with standards such as BS EN 50155
• Conduct risk evaluation, assessment, and mitigation related to electronic system safety hazards
• Support investigations into electronic system and component failures, identify root cause, and present findings
• Support validation of electronic control equipment—including type, routine, and compliance testing—along with installation and commissioning activities at customer sites
• Specify test equipment and develop requirements for measuring or monitoring electrical and electronic systems in operation
• Perform any other duties within capability, training, or experience

Quality, Health & Safety

• Comply with all company and statutory Quality, Health & Safety, Environmental, and related policies and procedures
• Support proactive Health & Safety management processes
• Ensure investigations and reporting on defective or failed components are completed in line with policies and timescales

Customer

Develop and maintain positive working relationships with the customer to support the company's reputation as a high‑quality provider of railway vehicle services.

Continuous Improvement

Identify improvement opportunities within the area of responsibility.