FPGA Design Engineer – Defence & Aerospace Sector
Please read the information in this job post thoroughly to understand exactly what is expected of potential candidates.
South East England – Hybrid Working Available
(Permanent | Full-time)
Are you an experienced FPGA Design Engineer seeking a technically challenging role in a highly regulated environment? Our client – an established leader in cutting-edge technology for the defence and aerospace sectors – is looking for a proactive and skilled individual to join their expert team.
This is an exceptional opportunity to work on high-performance, safety-critical applications across avionics and maritime domains. You will take a lead role in FPGA design and development, contributing to projects from concept through to verification and qualification.
Key Responsibilities:
* Capture and trace requirements from customer specifications through to detailed design.
* Architect, implement, and verify FPGA designs using VHDL, ensuring performance and reliability in safety-critical systems.
* Generate and maintain detailed design documentation in line with regulatory and internal standards.
* Own and manage work packages, delivering on time and to spec.
* Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including electronics, firmware, and software engineers.
* Participate in design reviews and ensure thorough documentation of development activities.
* Support both new product development and ongoing maintenance of legacy systems.
Essential Skills & Experience:
* Degree qualified in Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or similar.
* 5+ years’ experience in FPGA and digital hardware design.
* Proficiency with tools such as Xilinx Vivado, ModelSim, or Questa.
* In-depth knowledge of digital design concepts including FSMs, timing analysis, and clock domain crossing.
* Strong skills in VHDL and C/C++, with experience creating self-checking testbenches.
* Familiarity with communication protocols like UART, SPI, I2C, and video standards such as HDMI/DVI.
* Excellent problem-solving abilities and a proactive, collaborative attitude.
Desirable Extras:
* Experience working to safety-critical standards (e.g., DO-178, DO-254, or BS EN 61508).
* Exposure to high-speed protocols such as AXI, DDR, HDMI, PCIe, USB, or Ethernet.
* Scripting knowledge in TCL or Python for automation and verification tasks.
* Understanding of model-based design workflows (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink)