Lead FPGA Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Luton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the defence sector is seeking a Lead FPGA Design Engineer / Manager to spearhead engineering activities within an Integrated FPGA Product Team. This role demands a dynamic leader who can manage complex projects, ensuring that engineering outcomes are clearly defined and communicated. As a pivotal figure, you will guide your team through the full life cycle of FPGA projects, leveraging your expertise in VHDL and Verilog while utilizing advanced development tools. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a high-stakes environment, contributing to cutting-edge technologies that shape the future of defence systems.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in FPGA engineering management and project delivery.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to provide clear direction to teams.
• Experience with high-speed serial protocols and implementations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering aspects of FPGA projects and manage the engineering team.
• Define and communicate project outcomes and ensure adherence to plans.
• Maintain effective communication with project management and report progress.

Skills

FPGA Engineering Management

Project Delivery

VHDL

Verilog

Communication Skills

Linux

Agile Methodologies

Technical Decision Making

High-Speed Serial Protocols

System Requirements Analysis

Education

Honours degree in Electronics Engineering

Equivalent STEM-based qualification

Tools

Mentor Graphics FPGA Development Tools

Xilinx Design Flows

Intel Design Flows

Microsemi Design Flows

Requirements Management Tools

Job description

Job Description

Our Client, a global leader in the defence industry, has an exciting opportunity for a Lead FPGA Design Engineer / Manager.

Role Overview:

The Lead FPGA Engineer would be responsible for the success of the engineering activities within an Integrated FPGA Product Team or one of the products within an FPGA Product Line.

Responsibilities:

The Lead FPGA Engineer is responsible for defining and leading the Work Packages for the team members on a day-to-day basis. The assignment of work packages would happen in consultation with the Project Engineering Manager. You would be responsible for providing your team with clear expectations of the engineering outcomes, ensuring that they operate consistently within the Policies & Procedures, and fostering the improvement goals defined by the Engineering Function.

Specific responsibilities:

• Lead the engineering aspects of the FPGA project or product line.
• Manage an FPGA engineering team to deliver project outcomes.
• Ensure that success outcomes are clearly defined and well communicated.
• Ensure FPGA engineering activities are well planned, costed, and scheduled with the project planning and management teams.
• Ensure the FPGA engineering team has a well-documented engineering plan and that it is followed.
• Report on progress of the engineering plan as needed.
• Ensure the FPGA engineering team follows an effectively tailored life cycle management process, leading design reviews.
• Oversee completion of project outcomes to quality, cost, and schedule, ensuring accurate performance reporting throughout.
• Maintain effective communication with the Project Engineering Manager and PM, reporting status and risks.
• Work closely with FPGA & Systems Design Authorities to stay informed on technical progress and risks, requesting support as needed.
• Support the Project Engineering Manager for engineering reviews and team briefs.
• Support the team with day-to-day technical queries and troubleshooting.

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience required:

• Mandatory: Proven experience in FPGA engineering management and project delivery.
• Engineering or scientific degree qualification (or equivalent).
• Excellent communication skills and ability to provide clear direction to FPGA teams.
• Ability to manage complex situations with sound judgment and balance conflicting challenges.
• Experience working across the full life cycle.
• Familiarity with latest FPGA device families and verification methodologies.
• Proven expertise in developing FPGA using VHDL or Verilog.
• Experience with Mentor Graphics FPGA development tools, Xilinx/Intel/Microsemi design flows, and third-party synthesis tools.
• Experience in specifying timing and area constraints for FPGA placement and routing.
• Ability to analyze system/hardware requirements and derive FPGA requirements.
• Experience in FPGA verification using VHDL, requirements management tools, debugging, and integration.
• Understanding of FPGA version control and revision control software.
• Experience making technical decisions and mitigating risks in FPGA design activities.
• Experience with high-speed serial protocols and implementations.
• Ability to coordinate technical activities daily.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Linux and scripting experience.
• Practical experience with agile methodologies.
• Experience in writing technical reports and documentation.

Desirable:

• Development of real-time, embedded, safety-critical FPGA, preferably in accordance with RTCA/DO-254 DAL A/B.
• Electronic Warfare or RF Systems experience.
• Defence or aerospace industry experience.
• Development and certification of airborne equipment.
• Experience with SystemVerilog/UVM for verification.
• Experience with embedded processor cores (e.g., ARM) in FPGA designs.

Qualifications:

Honours degree or equivalent in Electronics Engineering or another STEM-based subject. Current valid SC clearance would be an advantage. Due to security requirements, this role is open to SOLE UK ONLY.