Lead FPGA Engineer

Pratt & Whitney; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology leader in aerospace is seeking a Lead FPGA Engineer to join their Plymouth or Bristol site. This role entails leading firmware development for high-performance navigation systems, requiring strong VHDL skills and a Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering. The position supports a collaborative engineering environment focused on precision and innovation, along with a competitive salary and benefits, including flexible working options and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Flexible and hybrid working options

Private health insurance and life assurance

25 days annual leave plus the ability to buy or sell up to 5 more

Career development and mentorship opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:1 Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Electronics Engineering or related field.
• Strong VHDL experience, including architecture, coding, simulation, and test benching.
• Experience working to formal design standards such as DO-254.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle firmware development on new and existing products.
• Collaborate with teams to bring complex projects to life.
• Support management of software tools used by the digital design team.

Skills

Strong VHDL experience

Excellent communication skills

Vision for continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering or a related field

Tools

E-CAD tools (Xpedition, HyperLynx)

Job description

Date Posted:

2026-01-08

Country:

United Kingdom

Location:

Atlantic Inertial Systems Limited, Clittaford Road, Southway, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 6DE

Position Role Type:

Unspecified

At Collins Aerospace, precision and reliability guide everything we do. Our Bristol and Plymouth sites are centres of excellence for navigation and control systems, powering world-class innovations like MEMS-based IMUs and TERPROM® terrain navigation systems.

This is your opportunity to join a pioneering engineering team - in a hybrid role based in either Plymouth or Bristol - and take a leading role in the next generation of aerospace technology.

We’re looking for a Lead FPGA Engineer ready to take a leading role in shaping the next generation of aerospace systems. You’ll work on high performance navigation and sensor technologies where precision, reliability, and innovation are critical.

What You Will Do:

• Lead full lifecycle firmware development on new and existing products and test equipment
• Work closely with the Electronics Discipline Chief to drive continuous improvement in the firmware development process
• Support the management and maintenance of software tools used by the digital design team
• Effectively communicate firmware design and process decision to both technical and nontechnical audiences
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary experts in systems, software, and mechanical design to bring complex projects to life
• Participate in peer reviews for firmware
• Share your expertise, mentor colleagues, and champion continuous improvement across the digital design team

What You’ll Learn

• Develop deep expertise in high performance IMU and MEMS sensor design for real world aerospace applications
• Gain hands‑on experience with formal aerospace development processes
• Work directly with cutting‑edge FPGA and mixed‑signal technologies in live aerospace systems
• Thrive in a high‑performing, collaborative engineering environment where precision meets innovation
• Opportunity to develop broader electronics skills alongside digital design work

What You Must Have:

• A minimum 2:1 Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Electronics Engineering or a related field
• Strong VHDL experience — including architecture, coding, simulation, and test benching (Microchip, Xilinx, SoC)
• Proven experience of working to formal design standard such as DO-254
• Excellent communication skills
• Vision for continuous improvement and forward‑thinking approach

Skills & Experience We Value

• Familiarity with Verilog/SystemVerilog, OSVVM, UVM or UVVM
• Experience in MEMS sensors, airborne electronics, or ASIC development
• Cross‑disciplinary awareness (systems, software, mechanical)
• Experience with E‑CAD tools for schematic capture, PCB layout, and simulation (e.g. Xpedition, HyperLynx, AMS)

What We Can Offer You:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Excellent 2:1 matched pension contribution (up to 10%)
• Private health insurance and life assurance
• 25 days annual leave plus the ability to buy or sell up to 5 more
• Early finish on Fridays
• Career development, mentorship, and world‑class training opportunities
• And much more!

Are you up for the challenge?

If you’re ready to make an impact in a company where innovation, precision, and purpose come together, join our mission today.

Note:

The successful candidate must hold an active or be willing and eligible to obtain SC level security clearance. Please note that access to certain projects may be restricted based on nationality.

RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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