Lead Firmware Engineer

Leonardo SpA; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Leonardo as a Lead Firmware Engineer in Edinburgh, contributing to the Global Combat Air System Programme (GCAP). This role includes firmware delivery for mission-critical components, requiring extensive firmware design experience and a commitment to team collaboration in a hybrid working environment.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Company-funded healthcare benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Up to 15% employer pension contribution

Well-being programs

Access to over 4000 online courses

Qualifications

• 5 years of UK residency required for security clearance.
• Experience with FPGA architectures like Xilinx Versal.
• Experience in mixed discipline teams required.

Responsibilities

• Lead firmware design for complex digital systems.
• Prepare documentation and conduct design reviews.
• Support the delivery of work across engineering teams.

Skills

Ability to analyse system-level requirements

Experience in firmware design techniques

Good verbal and written communication skills

Education

Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Tools

VHDL

MATLAB

Simulink

Job description

Job Description:

The opportunity:

An opportunity has arisen within Leonardo Edinburgh for a Lead Firmware Engineer to work on the Global Combat Air System Programme (GCAP). Announced by the Prime Minister in December 2022, GCAP will deliver Tempest, the next-generation fighter aircraft intended to replace the Royal Air Force Typhoon fleet from 2035.

This exciting role will play a significant part in maturing and delivering a mission-critical component that will be installed onto the GCAP core platform.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to play a fundamental role in a defence programme of critical national importance, and to shape the future of Combat Air capability in the UK.

If you have a proven track record and are passionate about your work and can deliver a pragmatic approach to problem solving, we would like to hear from you.

What you'll do as a Lead Firmware Engineer:

As a Lead Firmware Engineer, you will work with support from experts in their field, using world-class facilities to deliver firmware for complex digital systems that meet challenging future customer requirements. Your role may involve travel across the UK or abroad for technical reviews. You will leverage or develop team-leading experience to support the delivery of work from several engineers. Your expertise will also be key to enhancing processes and ways of working across UK-wide FPGA/Firmware delivery teams.

What you really must have:

• Ability to analyse system-level requirements and capture/derive detailed firmware requirements.
• Ability to prepare documentation for other engineers and design reviews.
• Experience in firmware design techniques and tools, from VHDL to place-and-route.
• Experience with FPGA architectures such as system-on-chip (e.g., Xilinx Versal).
• Experience in specifying timing and area constraints for efficient FPGA place and route.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience working in mixed discipline teams.
• Degree (BSc, BEng, MEng, MSc, PhD) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or a similar field.
• Must have 5 years UK residency and be capable of achieving full SC security clearance.

It would be desirable if you had:

• Experience with auto-generated code using model-driven engineering tools like MATLAB and Simulink.
• Experience with design tools such as Verilog, System Verilog, and UVM.
• Experience within the defence industry.

What we need from you:

Personal attributes and values are just as important as technical ability. We seek engineers with a willingness to learn, progress, and develop through our technical career path. If you are passionate and can deliver a pragmatic approach to problem solving, we want to hear from you.

Security Clearance:

Please note that eligibility for UK security clearance is required. Typically, this is to the level of Security Check (SC), which requires a minimum of 5 years of UK residency. For more information, visit: UK Security Vetting Levels.

Life at Leonardo:

With a comprehensive benefits package, commitment to learning, and flexible working hours, a career with Leonardo offers many opportunities. Benefits include:

• Flexible working options, including hybrid working
• Company-funded benefits like healthcare, dental, and lifestyle allowances
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with options to buy/sell leave
• Up to 15% employer pension contribution
• Wellbeing programs and diversity initiatives
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle schemes
• Access to over 4000 online courses via Coursera

For a full list of benefits, visit Leonardo Benefits.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company in Aerospace, Defence, and Security, with over 45,000 employees worldwide, including 8,000 in the UK.

We value diversity and inclusion, striving to create a welcoming environment for all employees. If you have a disability or health condition, inform your recruiter to explore adjustments.

This is a great opportunity to contribute to Leonardo’s future. Join us to develop your skills and grow your career.

Primary Location: GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Yes