Senior Firmware Engineer

Arm; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Edinburgh is seeking a Senior/Principal Firmware (FPGA) Engineer to develop firmware for airborne applications. Ideal candidates have significant experience in FPGA technologies, VHDL, and SystemVerilog. Responsibilities include designing firmware, verifying designs, and following structured processes. This position is 100% onsite and requires eligibility for high-level UK security clearance.

Qualifications

• Considerable experience designing Firmware architecture using FPGA technologies.
• Experience with fast interfaces such as PCIe, Ethernet, JESD.
• Proficiency in advanced verification techniques such as VHDL or System Verilog.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop firmware designs using VHDL.
• Verify designs using either VHDL or SystemVerilog.
• Work to a structured firmware design process.

Skills

FPGA design

VHDL

System Verilog

PCIe

Ethernet

Matlab

Simulink

Education

Degree in Electronics and Electrical Engineering

Tools

Xilinx tools

Intel tools

Microsemi tools

Job description

Senior/Principal Firmware (FPGA) Engineer

Location: Edinburgh - 100% Onsite

Rate: 75 P/hr

Security Requirements

• This project is classified as UK Eyes Only, meaning the candidate must be eligible to obtain the highest level of UK security clearance.

Must Have

• Considerable experience designing Firmware architecture using FPGA technologies and tools from either Xilinx, Intel (Altera) or Microsemi (Actel).
• Experience with fast interfaces such as PCIe, Ethernet, JESDC.
• Proficiency in advanced verification techniques such as VHDL or System Verilog / UVM.
• Familiarity with Model Based Engineering using Matlab and Simulink tools is advantageous.
• Strong capability in analysing system-level requirements to derive detailed Firmware requirements.
• A methodical approach to the full firmware design lifecycle, ideally following structured processes such as RTCA DO-254 or similar.

Key Responsibility Areas

Our Electronics Function in Edinburgh requires a Senior/Principal Firmware (FPGA) Engineer to create and develop firmware for leading-edge airborne applications. You will be responsible for:

• Designing and developing Firmware designs using VHDL.
• Verifying designs using either VHDL or SystemVerilog.
• Working to a structured firmware design process.

Skills, Qualifications & Knowledge Required

• Degree in Electronics and Electrical Engineering, ideally specialising in FPGA / Digital techniques.
• Proven experience in:
  • Creating innovative VHDL-based FPGA designs.
  • Advanced verification techniques using VHDL or SystemVerilog / UVM.
  • FPGA technologies from Xilinx, Altera, or Microsemi and associated tools.
  • Model Driven Engineering tools, including MATLAB and Simulink.
  • High-Speed Interface Design & Integration (PCIe, DDR3, Ethernet).
  • Analysing system-level documents and deriving detailed Firmware requirements.
  • Applying structured firmware processes such as RTCA DO-254 or equivalent.
  • Specifying complex timing and area constraints for efficient FPGA place and route.
  • Debugging firmware designs and supporting system-level verification and integration.