Principal FPGA Engineer

Mars Recruitment; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

MARS Recruitment is seeking a Principal FPGA Engineer for a start-up linked to the University of Oxford, in Oxford with a hybrid working model.

The role focuses on transforming wireless communication algorithms into high-performance FPGA implementations for an FPGA-accelerated SDR modem platform, collaborating with PHY, software and systems engineers.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in FPGA-based DSP or communications systems.
• Proficient in VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog.
• Strong fixed-point arithmetic and quantisation understanding.
• Experience with high-throughput streaming architectures.
• Experience with FPGA timing, resource utilisation, and performance analysis.
• Familiarity with MATLAB or Python for algorithm validation.
• Collaborating with DSP, software, systems, and RF engineers.

Responsibilities

• Transform advanced wireless algorithms into efficient, real-time FPGA implementations for a SDR modem platform.
• Define hardware-realizable architecture for the next-gen intelligent SDR modem.
• Hands-on DSP architecture, FPGA implementation, optimisation, integration, verification and system bring-up.

Skills

FPGA DSP experience

Fixed-point arithmetic

Cross-functional collaboration

Debugging & problem-solving

MATLAB/Python familiarity

Tools

VHDL

Verilog

SystemVerilog

AXI-Stream

Job description

Principal FPGA Engineer | Next-Gen Wireless Comms | Start up | Oxford / Hybrid | £90,000pa - £100,000pa plus benefits:

A once in a lifetime opportunity has arisen for a Principal FPGA Engineer to have a major impact in the development of next generation wireless communications. Our client is an early stage, fast paced, independently funded start up, with strong links to the University of Oxford. Led by a talented team with considerable sector experience and specialist subject knowledge, their mission is to enable safe and efficient communication systems which will ultimately protect our way of life. By joining them, the Principal FPGA Engineer will be seriously contributing to critical technology that will save lives and ensure our society remains safe in an ever-changing world.

This Principal FPGA Engineer role will focus on transforming advanced wireless communication algorithms into efficient, real-time FPGA implementations for an FPGA-accelerated SDR modem platform. Working closely with PHY, software, and systems engineers, you will help define the hardware-realisable architecture for our next-generation intelligent SDR modem, translating floating-point communications algorithms into high-performance fixed-point FPGA implementations suitable for field deployment. This is a hands-on role involving DSP architecture, FPGA implementation, optimisation, integration, verification, and system bring-up.

Essential Experience & skills:

• 5+ years of industry experience developing FPGA-based DSP or communications systems;


• strong FPGA design experience using VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog;


• strong understanding of fixed-point arithmetic, quantisation effects, numerical precision, and hardware implementation trade-offs;


• experience implementing high-performance parallelised DSP algorithms on FPGA platforms;


• practical experience implementing one or more of:




• FFTs;


• fast Hadamard transforms;


• digital filtering;


• synchronisation algorithms;


• channel estimation;


• forward error correction;


• beamforming;


• packet-processing pipelines;




• experience designing high-throughput streaming architectures using AXI-Stream or equivalent interfaces;


• experience analysing FPGA timing, resource utilisation, and system performance;


• familiarity with MATLAB, Python, or equivalent modelling environments for algorithm validation;


• strong debugging and problem-solving skills in laboratory environments;


• ability to work closely with DSP, software, systems, and RF engineers;

MARS Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and positively welcomes applications from suitably qualified applicants regardless of race, colour, sex, marital status, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other protected status. Suitable candidates for the role will be contacted within 3 working days, unfortunately if you haven’t heard back in this time your application has been unsuccessful at this time