Principal FPGA Engineer

TN United Kingdom; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

col-wide

Job Description:

Description

Role purpose
Define, architect, design, develop, document, and test complex FPGA firmware functions and algorithms within the Cyber UK Business Unit.

Scope
Define, architect, design, develop, document, and test FPGA firmware as part of our 20-strong firmware engineering team within the Cyber UK Business Unit, delivering multiple concurrent research, development, and production programs ranging from tens of thousands to several million pounds.

Responsible for / Key responsibilities

• Perform requirements analysis and derivation to generate understandable and robust firmware requirements from inbound (user and system level) requirements. Provide feedback regarding poorly written, ambiguous, or unverifiable requirements.
• Produce high-quality, robust firmware designs and architectures to meet requirements and interface specifications.
• Create design, development, and implementation documentation including specifications, reports, and proposals of appropriate quality.
• Maintain documentation showing requirement traceability and verification methodologies.
• Accurately estimate work, identify cost-effective solutions, and deliver predictably to enhance team performance.
• Ensure firmware development aligns with the development plan.
• Work effectively with minimal supervision, demonstrating independence.
• Generate inputs for product-level design reviews.
• Review and approve significant technical documents; chair technical reviews when needed.
• Provide specialist knowledge and support to the engineering team; recognized as a domain expert.
• Mentor and coach less experienced engineers; share knowledge proactively.
• Propose and champion process improvements to support innovation and efficiency.
• Potentially undertake line management responsibilities.
• Manage information security as per the Security manual.
• Provide feedback on firmware status and costs to project management as requested.
• Act as firmware lead when requested, managing a team of firmware engineers and ensuring clear objectives and deadlines.

Role requirements

• Willing and able to obtain and maintain SC and DV security clearances.

Qualifications / Skills required

• Degree in engineering, mathematics, science, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in full lifecycle firmware development on multiple projects.
• Proficient in firmware development using VHDL.
• Familiar with engineering methods and techniques; adaptable to create solutions.
• Experience with engineering design methodologies, e.g., the ‘V’ Model.
• Ability to design for synchronous and asynchronous systems.
• Technical leadership experience in FPGA firmware design and development.
• Extensive experience with Xilinx, Lattice, Altera, or Microsemi FPGAs and associated tools.
• Proficient in verification and FPGA EDA tools.
• Knowledge of industry-standard communication protocols (UART, USART, SPI, I2C, TCP/IP, UDP).
• Ability to interpret hardware schematics.
• Experience with version control, change management, and bug tracking tools.

Desirable:

• Experience with firmware development best practices and lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of continuous integration and automated testing frameworks.
• Exposure to coding standards like MISRA for defense or aerospace.
• Experience with DOORS and Enterprise Architect.
• Background in digital electronics and logic design.
• Experience developing military equipment or UK High Grade Crypto products.

#IC

#LI-ONSITE

#LI-EG1

Notice

Candidates may need to obtain relevant security clearances or handle export-controlled materials due to program requirements.

Our Benefits

We offer flexible employee benefits, including:

• Annual Bonus
• Private Medical Cover
• 25 days’ holiday plus options to buy more
• Pension contributions
• Life Assurance
• Flexible working hours with early Friday finish
• Additional benefits like cycle-to-work, will writing, etc.
• Monthly Security Clearance Allowance (subject to clearance)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement