Job Description
Contract Firmware Architect – Outside IR35 – Remote/Edinburgh – £75–85p/h\n\nLocation: Primarily Remote (occasional site visits to Edinburgh)\nRate: £75 – £85 per hour (Outside IR35)\nContract Length: 12 months\nIR35 Status: Outside IR35\n\nMust be eligible for SC clearance (UK residency minimum 5 years)\n\nA long-term contract opportunity has opened up with an advanced electronics consultancy working on multiple next-generation embedded systems programmes across aerospace, communications, and secure technologies. They are looking for an experienced Firmware Architect to take ownership of FPGA/SoC architecture and delivery on a portfolio of technically demanding projects.\n\nThis role would suit a contractor who enjoys working across the full development lifecycle and is confident interfacing with multidisciplinary teams.\n\nKey Responsibilities:\n\n * Define and lead FPGA/firmware architecture for complex embedded platforms\n\n * Develop reusable, modular VHDL/Verilog designs with traceability to system-level requirements\n\n * Plan and execute verification strategies using testbenches or HVLs (SystemVerilog/C++)\n\n * Collaborate with systems, hardware, and software teams to ensure integration readiness\n\n * Own firmware delivery across multiple projects, including documentation and reviews\n\n * Contribute to internal tooling improvements (simulation workflows, scripting, versioning)\n\nTechnical Profile:\n\n * Strong background in FPGA/SoC development using VHDL, Verilog or SystemVerilog\n\n * Experience with one or more major FPGA toolchains (Xilinx, Intel, Lattice, etc.)\n\n * Confident designing testbenches and working with verification methodologies (e.g. UVM, OSVVM, UVVM)\n\n * Hands-on use of simulation tools (ModelSim, QuestaSim, Vivado)\n\n * Requirements-led development (e.g.
DOORS or structured specs)\n\n * Comfortable working within secure, safety-critical, or compliance-heavy environments\n\nDesirable Experience:\n\n * Exposure to image or signal processing implementations\n\n * Familiarity with Linux-based development or MATLAB\n\n * Understanding of object-oriented design principles and scripting (Python, TCL)\n\nThis is a 12-month contract, which offers both technical autonomy and the opportunity to work on secure, high-impact systems. Ideal for experienced firmware engineers who enjoy end-to-end project delivery, modular design, and clean system integration.\n\nIf you have the skills required for this Firmware Architect role please get in touch with an up-to-date copy of your CV