Lead Firmware / FPGA Specialist

In this role you will lead firmware and FPGA activities to underpin current surveillance radar systems and design next-generation technologies. You’ll collaborate with hardware and software teams to deliver high-performance, reliable embedded solutions for mission-critical environments. You will shape architectures, drive requirements capture, and guide the engineering lifecycle from concept to qualification. This is a hands-on, impact-focused opportunity to mentor teams and advance UK-wide FPGA firmware delivery.

• flexi-days up to 12 per year
• pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution
• mental health support
• Coursera and LinkedIn Learning access
• bonus scheme
• hybrid working

• Develop firmware for complex digital systems to meet customer requirements
• Support delivery of key radar products and enhancements
• Improve processes across UK-wide FPGA/firmware teams
• Mentor junior team members to grow capabilities
• Capture and derive detailed firmware requirements from system-level needs
• Assist architecture definition, design maturation, integration and qualification support for next-gen radars

• Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or similar
• Ability to analyse system-level requirements and derive firmware requirements
• Experience in firmware design techniques and tools from VHDL to place-and-route
• Experience with FPGA architectures such as system-on-chip (e.g. Xilinx Versal)
• Experience in specifying timing and area constraints for FPGA place-and-route
• Experience in integrating and debugging firmware with hardware and software
• Experience of working in mixed-discipline teams
• 5 years UK residency and capability to achieve full SC security clearance

• Good attitude and willingness to learn
• Mentoring and coaching
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams
• VHDL to place-and-route
• FPGA architectures (system-on-chip, Xilinx Versal)
• Timing and area constraint specification for FPGA