Senior Firmware Engineer

Senior Firmware Engineer | FPGA / VHDL | Defence Electronics

FPGA engineers with experience in high-speed digital processing don't often get the opportunity to work across such a broad range of advanced electronic systems.

My client is an established, R&D-led defence electronics business. Their products are deployed globally, supporting defence and security customers in some of the most demanding operational environments.

They're looking for a Senior Firmware Engineer to join their R&D team, developing FPGA and System-on-Chip (SoC) technology for a range of advanced electronic systems.

This is a hands-on development role, working on new products and technology demonstrators from initial concept through to design, verification and deployment.

You'll collaborate closely with RF, DSP, hardware and systems engineers, developing high-performance firmware for complex electronic applications.

What you'll do

• Design, develop, verify and debug FPGA and SoC-based firmware.
• Integrate and debug third-party RTL components.
• Develop reusable firmware components and IP.
• Implement digital interfaces and processing pipelines for high-performance RF systems.
• Develop and implement FPGA-based digital signal-processing algorithms.
• Work with RF and DSP engineers to translate algorithms into efficient FPGA implementations.
• Develop and integrate firmware for embedded processor and FPGA/SoC platforms.
• Work with high-speed digital interfaces, including PCIe and JESD204B/C.
• Develop automated VHDL test benches and verification environments.
• Perform simulation, functional verification and hardware-based testing.
• Diagnose complex technical issues across hardware, processor software and FPGA firmware.

What you'll bring

• Significant professional experience in FPGA and/or embedded firmware development.
• Experience integrating and debugging third-party RTL.
• Experience developing automated VHDL test benches and verification environments.
• Experience with FPGA-based digital signal processing.
• Understanding of FPGA architecture, timing, resource utilisation and high-speed data processing.
• Experience with high-speed digital interfaces such as PCIe, JESD204B/C or equivalent technologies.
• Experience debugging complete embedded systems across hardware and firmware.
• Strong problem-solving and technical communication skills.
• Ability to work alongside RF, hardware, DSP and systems engineering teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain UK SC Security Clearance.

Nice to have

• AMD/Xilinx Zynq or other FPGA/SoC architectures.
• OpenCPI framework.
• Embedded Linux, PetaLinux or Yocto.
• Pipelined DSP and fixed-point algorithm implementation.
• High-speed ADC/DAC interfaces and RF data converters.
• MATLAB or Simulink.
• Experience with RF test equipment.
• Electronic Warfare, Electronic Countermeasures, Counter-UAS, radar or communications experience.
• Defence, aerospace or other security-critical engineering experience.
• Work on advanced FPGA technology with real-world defence and security applications.
• Develop high-performance systems involving RF, DSP and embedded technologies.
• Take ownership of firmware development from concept through to deployment.
• Work alongside a multidisciplinary team of specialist engineers.
• Be part of an R&D-focused business developing innovative technology for global customers.

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