Lead FPGA Firmware Architect - Hybrid Role

Leonardo UK Ltd; Easter Howgate; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Bonus scheme

Pension plan

Learning & development

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Job summary

Leonardo UK is seeking a Lead Firmware/FPGA Specialist to develop firmware for high‑performance radar systems. You will work across design, verification, and integration with hardware and software teams, mentoring juniors and shaping FPGA delivery across UK sites.

The role requires a degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or equivalent, strong FPGA experience (Verilog/SystemVerilog, VHDL), and eligibility for UK SC security clearance. Hybrid working is available in supported locations.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or similar.
• Ability to analyse system level requirements and derive FW requirements.
• Experience in firmware design techniques and tools from VHDL to place-and-route.
• Experience in FPGA architectures such as SoC (e.g. Xilinx Versal).
• Experience in specifying timing and area constraints for FPGA place and route.
• Experience in integrating and debugging complex systems where Firmware interacts with Hardware/Software.
• 5 years UK residency and ability to obtain SC security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop firmware for complex digital systems used in surveillance radar.
• Work on FPGAs and related toolchains to meet customer requirements.
• Mentor junior team members and improve FPGA/Firmware delivery processes.
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams across UK sites.

Skills

Firmware development

FPGA design

System requirements analysis

VHDL/Verilog

Xilinx Versal

Debugging complex systems

Team mentoring

UK residency 5 yrs

Education

Electrical & Electronic Eng (BSc/BEng/MEng/MSc/PhD)

Tools

Verilog

SystemVerilog

UVM

DOORs/ReqTracer

QuestaSim

Job description

Leonardo UK is seeking a Lead Firmware/FPGA Specialist to develop firmware for high‑performance radar systems. You will work across design, verification, and integration with hardware and software teams, mentoring juniors and shaping FPGA delivery across UK sites.

The role requires a degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or equivalent, strong FPGA experience (Verilog/SystemVerilog, VHDL), and eligibility for UK SC security clearance. Hybrid working is available in supported locations.