Graduate FPGA/Firmware Engineer

Ultra Cyber; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultra Cyber in Maidenhead hosts a two-year graduate scheme focused on becoming a Firmware Engineer within our Cyber Centre of Excellence. You will receive on-the-job coaching, mentoring, and training to develop both your technical and professional skills while contributing to cutting-edge cryptographic engineering projects.

After completion, you are offered a position within the Firmware engineering function in Maidenhead.

Qualifications

• Relevant STEM degree with a minimum of lower second-class honours within the past two years.
• Experience designing digital circuits.
• Experience in FPGA firmware module design and implementation using VHDL.
• Ability to apply science/engineering knowledge to real-world problems in a team and individually.

Responsibilities

• Develop firmware/FPGA engineering skills and knowledge of solutions.
• Collaborate with team members to meet customer requirements and business objectives.
• Create FPGA designs and plans; develop VHDL implementations and test benches; use DOORS for requirements management.
• Ensure security of information in line with Government regulations and perform hands-on testing in the lab.

Skills

Firmware engineering

FPGA design

VHDL

Technical communication

Education

STEM degree

Tools

DOORS

Job description

Job Description

Based at our Cyber Centre of Excellence in Maidenhead.

We are global market leaders within embedded encryption solutions which is forged by decades of Cryptographic engineering accomplishments.

We protect highly sensitive information, working with nations worldwide to help ensure their information is secure. Our engineers work on the most difficult cybersecurity challenges to protect our national security and critical infrastructure; we strive to protect what matters.

Why Join our Graduate Scheme?

We are seeking talented graduates for our September 2027 intake with a passion for cyber-security and engineering with an inquisitive mind, an intrinsic interest in innovation, enthusiasm for solving complex technical engineering problems, and achieving success through teamwork. You will be provided with a unique experience to work on a range of projects from early inception to delivery in addition to early research activities pathfinding future crypto solutions.

The 2-year graduate programme will focus on your growth as a Firmware Engineer, whilst offering an understanding to our other key engineering disciplines.

After completion of the two-year scheme, you are offered a position within the Firmware engineering function located in Maidenhead our state-of-the-art Cyber Centre of Excellence.

Your development will be supported through on-the-job coaching from experienced team members, access to mentoring and peer support, and training opportunities to develop both your technical and professional skills.

We encourage graduates to participate in completing their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to progress their engineering competence and work towards professional recognition of their achievements. We also help support our engineers to become chartered or incorporated.

Opportunities may also be available to get involved in STEM outreach activities, including engagement with schools and universities and supporting summer placements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Developing your Firmware/FPGA Engineering skills and technical knowledge of solutions
• Work constructively with other team members, solving complex problems between disciplines, to develop solutions that meet our customers' requirements and business objectives
• Creation of the FPGA designs and plans, develop VHDL implementation solutions to meet the requirements, and self-checking test benches using industry standard tools and techniques.
• Management of Requirements and related information using tools such as DOORS
• Manage security of information as defined in the Security Aspects to ensure compliance with Government regulations
• Hands on testing and laboratory work, with support from senior team members

Skills Required:

• Relevant degree in a STEM related discipline with a minimum of a lower second-class honours degree achieved within the past two years.
• Experience of designing digital circuits.
• Experience in FPGA firmware module design and implementation, preferably through studying one or more modules relating to FPGAs as part of the degree course.
• You must be able to apply your knowledge of science and/or engineering to real world problems as part of a team and as an individual, communicating technical and project aspects

Desirable Skills:

• Application of FPGA firmware development using VHDL beyond that provided during formal education, for example through application in personal projects using FPGA development boards.
• Experience of FPGA firmware development processes, synthesizing designs, performing timing analysis, creating test benches, and debugging designs.
• A Thinker, taking a holistic approach to problem solving that considers both technical and non-technical issues
• Logical and Analytical in your approach to clarify how the solution needs to work, seeking out options, justifying decisions, implementing a risk based and best value outcome.
• Knowledge of the engineering lifecycle and V-model.
• Familiarity with requirements management tools such as DOORS.
• An appreciation of cryptography and the nuances of the different techniques that can be employed for secure communication.

Role Requirements:

• Willing and able to obtain, and maintain, SC security clearance.
• Willing and able to obtain, and maintain, DV security clearance (following attainment of SC clearance).

Notice

Due to the nature of the programs we deliver