Staff FPGA Engineer

Entrust; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Entrust in Cambridge is seeking a high-impact FPGA Lead to own the architecture, design and integration of security-focused FPGA solutions. You will drive technical direction across FPGA workstreams while remaining a hands-on contributor, shaping system architecture in collaboration with hardware, software and product teams.

You will lead design, verification and debugging of VHDL-based solutions, and guide engineers to deliver robust, scalable implementations with strong planning and risk

Qualifications

• Design and delivery of complex FPGA-based systems including synthesis, place & route, and timing closure.
• Experience with Xilinx architectures and toolchains.
• Translate algorithms into efficient FPGA implementations optimized for performance, area and power.
• Hardware/software integration including bring-up and debugging.
• Software development experience (C or Python) to support tooling, tests or integration.
• Experience in Linux and/or Windows development environments.

Responsibilities

• Leads the design, implementation, verification and debug of VHDL-based FPGA solutions.
• Owns FPGA architectural design, including partitioning, interfaces and performance trade-offs.
• Drives integration of FPGA components with embedded and host software systems.
• Defines and structures FPGA development work with clear technical plans.
• Provides estimates for FPGA activities and identifies risks and dependencies.
• Coordinates and balances FPGA work across engineers to enable timely delivery.
• Guides day-to-day execution and unblocks engineers during implementation.
• Identifies and mitigates technical risks and bottlenecks.
• Defines and evolves FPGA development processes including configuration management and verification practices.
• Contributes to system architecture with hardware, software and product teams.

Skills

FPGA design leadership

System-level design

Hardware-software integration

C or Python

Linux/Windows development

Education

Degree in Electronic Engineering/CS/Math

Tools

Xilinx toolchains

VHDL/Verilog tooling

Job description

Location: Cambridge (Hybrid, 3 days onsite)

Job type: Permanent, full-time

Position Overview:

Provides technical leadership in the design and delivery of FPGA-based solutions within complex, security-focused systems. Owns FPGA architecture, implementation, and integration, and contributes to system-level design and planning. Drives technical direction, delivery planning, and execution across FPGA workstreams, while remaining a hands-on contributor.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the design, implementation, verification, and debug of VHDL-based FPGA solutions for new and existing products.
• Owns FPGA architectural design, including partitioning, interfaces, and performance trade-offs within system constraints.
• Drives integration of FPGA components with embedded and host software systems, ensuring robust and scalable solutions.
• Defines and structures FPGA development work, translating requirements into deliverable tasks and clear technical plans.
• Provides estimates for FPGA activities, ensuring plans are realistic, risks are understood, and dependencies are identified.
• Coordinates and balances FPGA work across engineers, aligning tasks to skill levels and supporting effective team delivery.
• Guides day-to-day execution, providing technical direction and unblocking engineers during implementation.
• Identifies and mitigates technical risks and delivery bottlenecks.
• Defines and evolves FPGA development processes, including configuration management, CI/CD, and verification practices.
• Contributes to system architecture, working with hardware, software, and product teams to define platform capabilities.
• Leads resolution of complex technical challenges (e.g. timing closure, resource optimisation, system integration).
• Mentors and develops engineers through technical guidance, design reviews, and knowledge sharing.
• Collaborates across teams to ensure alignment of FPGA deliverables with system and product objectives.

Required Experience:

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering complex FPGA-based systems, including:
• Synthesis, place & route, and timing closure
• Xilinx FPGA architectures and toolchains
• Experience translating algorithms into efficient FPGA implementations, optimised for performance, area, and power.
• Experience integrating FPGA designs into hardware/software systems, including bring-up and debugging.
• Software development experience (e.g. C or Python) to support tooling, test, or integration.
• Experience working in Linux and/or Windows development environments.

Bonus Experience:

• Xilinx SoC platforms (e.g. Zynq, Versal)
• Intel (Altera) FPGA architectures, including SoCs
• Cryptographic algorithms or secure hardware systems
• Product compliance, certification, or regulated environments

Personal Attributes:

• Demonstrates ownership and accountability for technical delivery.
• Applies a structured approach to planning, estimation, and execution.
• Effectively guides and develops other engineers, particularly less experienced team members.
• Maintains a hands-on approach while operating at system and team level.
• Strong collaborator, able to influence without authority.
• Comfortable working in complex, multi-disciplinary environments.