Senior Firmware/FPGA Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; Basildon; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits an ambitious Embedded Firmware Engineer to join a leading high-tech company in the defense sector. This role involves developing state-of-the-art solutions for Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) programs that enhance safety against threats in both civilian and military environments. You'll work closely with partners and end users, capturing firmware requirements, designing FPGA solutions, and integrating systems with a focus on safety and efficiency. Join a thriving organization that values innovation and offers a flexible working environment, where your contributions will significantly impact crucial projects.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Private healthcare access

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Award-winning pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted gym membership

Free online courses via Coursera

Referral incentive program

Bonus scheme for employees

Qualifications

• Experience with FPGA technologies and advanced verification techniques.
• Ability to analyze system requirements and derive firmware needs.

Responsibilities

• Capture firmware requirements and manage documentation for design reviews.
• Develop FPGA test plans and perform system integration work.

Skills

FPGA technologies

VHDL

System Verilog

Firmware design lifecycle

Debugging firmware designs

Communication skills

Safety related firmware

Mentoring

Education

Degree in Electronics Engineering or related field

Relevant certifications in FPGA design

Tools

Siemens EDA FPGA development tools

ModelSim

HDL Designer

Job description

Job Description:

The Opportunity:

Due to the continued growth of the business area, we are looking for an Embedded Firmware Engineer to join our Mission Systems team.

This role presents an excellent opportunity for an ambitious individual to develop and grow their skills and knowledge within a thriving organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop state of the art solutions for Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) programmes – providing systems that improve the safety of personnel against threats such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or similar in Civilian or Military environments. These systems are utilised on a variety of target platforms with the opportunity to work closely with both partners and end users.

What you will do:

Key Responsibility Areas:

1. Firmware requirements capture and management;
2. FPGA design and analysis;
3. Production of documentation for other engineers and evidence for design reviews;
4. Development of FPGA test and FPGA integration plans;
5. Perform system integration work with PCB designers and embedded software engineers;
6. Support all firmware designs through the company firmware process – training will be given;
7. Modification of existing firmware designs and test benches.

What we are looking for:

What you really must have:

1. Using FPGA technologies especially from either Xilinx, Microsemi (Actel) or Lattice and their tools;
2. Advanced verification techniques using either VHDL or System Verilog / UVM;
3. Specifying complex timing and area constraints for efficient FPGA place and route;
4. Ability to analyse system level requirements and derive detailed Firmware requirements;
5. A methodical approach to the full firmware design lifecycle, working to a structured firmware process such as RTCA DO-254 or similar;
6. Experience of working on safety related firmware to IEC 61508 would be advantageous;
7. De-bugging firmware designs and supporting verification and integration at hardware and system level alongside Software and Hardware Engineers;
8. Making technical decisions and mitigating technical risk for Firmware design activities;
9. Ability to communicate effectively across different disciplines both verbally and in written form;
10. Familiarity with Siemens EDA FPGA development tools including HDL Designer and ModelSim / Questa is an advantage;
11. Engineering experience with radio systems and software defined radio or signal processing an advantage;
12. Experience of mentoring more junior members of the team.

It would be nice if you had:

1. Awareness of Safety, Security and other legislative constraints;
2. Domain experience in Electronics Warfare and Electronics Countermeasure.

Security Clearance:

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information and guidance please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

Life at Leonardo:

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

• Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us.
• Company funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance).
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year.
• Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution).
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Lifestyle: Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme.
• Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera and Linkedin Learning.
• Referral Incentive: You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member.
• Bonus: Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below.

For a full list of our company benefits, please visit our website here.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 8,000 are based at 8 sites throughout the UK.

At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people’s full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe and have a sense of belonging and connection.

Primary Location: GB - Basildon

Contract Type: Hybrid Working