Graduate Firmware Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; Caddington; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd is offering a Graduate Firmware Engineer role in Luton as part of an 18-month graduate programme. You will contribute to real projects from day one, work with experts and gain hands‑on experience across the firmware lifecycle.

The programme blends technical training with professional development, with hybrid working arrangements and occasional UK/overseas travel for reviews and customer engagements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 or higher in a STEM field.
• Interest in firmware, FPGA design, embedded systems or DSP.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical abilities.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and work with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with programming, simulation or lab testing is a bonus.
• Familiarity with VHDL, Verilog or SystemVerilog is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop FPGA firmware for embedded and real‑time systems.
• Create and verify designs with HDL and industry tools.
• Support digital processing technologies for EW and sensing applications.
• Conduct simulation, testing and validation to meet requirements.
• Analyze data and present findings to engineers and stakeholders.
• Collaborate across systems, hardware, software and verification teams.
• Contribute to documentation, design reviews and customer deliverables.
• Understand full engineering lifecycle from concept to manufacture.

Skills

Firmware development

FPGA design

Embedded systems

Digital signal processing

Analytical skills

Technical communication

Collaborative work

Programming/simulation

HDL (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog)

Education

2:2 Bachelor's degree or Integrated Master’s MSc/PhD in a STEM discipline

Tools

HDL tools

Job description

Job Description:

Your impact

Are you ready to launch your career and make an impact on real-world projects from day one?

AtLeonardo, we’re looking for graduates who want to be part of something extraordinary - shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

We are committed to developing our graduates into leading technical or business professionals, and as such we will also support you through your preferred route for professional development.

At Leonardo, we develop the advanced technologies that help keep people safe. As a Graduate Firmware Engineer, you'll join a team delivering world-leading Electronic Warfare capabilities that protect fast jets, UAVs, naval vessels and land platforms operating in some of the world’s most demanding environments.

Our structured 18-month Graduate Programme is designed to accelerate your development from graduate to professional engineer. From day one, you'll contribute to real projects, work alongside industry experts, and gain hands‑on experience across the full firmware development lifecycle.

This opportunity is based in Luton, with flexible and hybrid working arrangements available. Occasional travel within the UK and overseas may be required to support technical reviews, trials and customer engagements.

What You’ll Do

As part of our Firmware Engineering team, you'll support the development of high-performance digital systems used within advanced Electronic Warfare solutions.

Your activities will include:

• Designing and developing FPGA firmware solutions for complex embedded and real-time systems
• Creating and verifying designs using hardware description languages and industry-standard development tools
• Supporting the development of digital processing technologies used in Electronic Warfare and sensing applications
• Conducting simulation, testing and validation activities to ensure firmware meets functional, timing and performance requirements
• Analysing technical data and presenting findings to engineering teams and stakeholders
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across systems, hardware, software and verification engineering to integrate firmware solutions into larger products
• Contributing to technical documentation, design reviews and customer deliverables
• Developing an understanding of the complete engineering lifecycle, from concept through to manufacture and in‑service support

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for curious, motivated graduates with a passion for engineering, problem solving and technology.

You should have, or be on track to achieve:

• A minimum 2:2 Bachelor's degree, Integrated Master's degree, MSc or PhD in a relevant STEM discipline, such as:
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Robotics Engineering
  • AI & Cybernetics
  • Communications Engineering
  • Information Engineering
  • Space Engineering
  • Physics or Applied Physics
  • Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
  • Computer Science
  • Cyber Security
  • Computer Communication and Networks
  • Related disciplines

We'd also like to see:

• An interest in firmware development, FPGA design, embedded systems or digital signal processing
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively
• A collaborative approach and willingness to learn from experienced engineers
• Experience of programming, simulation, digital design or laboratory-based testing gained through university projects, placements or personal interests (desirable, not essential)
• Familiarity with hardware description languages such as VHDL, Verilog or SystemVerilog, or FPGA development tools, is beneficial but not essential

Our Graduate Programme

Our Graduate Programme has been designed to help you build the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to become a future engineering leader.

You’ll benefit from:

• Structured professional development and technical training
• Support from experienced engineers, mentors and the wider graduate community
• Opportunities to work on meaningful projects with real customer impact
• Development towards professional registration, where applicable
• Exposure to a wide range of technologies, products and engineering disciplines
• Networking opportunities across Leonardo's UK business

Security Clearance

Many of our roles are subject to security and export control restrictions set by UK Government Security requirements and customer obligations. As a result, and in line with the UK Government Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) requirements, all successful applicants will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record declaration information and employment and/or education history verification for the previous five years.

For staff operating in more sensitive posts, there is an additional range of personnel security controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV). As part of this process, a range of factors may be considered, including an individual's background, travel history, nationality, previous nationalities held and other information relevant to the vetting assessment.

To be eligible for National Security Vetting at SC level, applicants will generally be expected to have continuously resided in the UK for the previous five years. For DV clearance, this is typically ten years. In some circumstances, time spent overseas may be accepted, with additional overseas checks. Additional vetting requirements may apply upon appointment.

For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do, key contributors in shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

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

Rewarding performance: All employees are eligible for our bonus scheme.

Join in our success: Our annual Employee Stock Ownership Plan provides you the opportunity to own shares in Leonardo.

Tailored perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/company-benefits

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, communities and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid