FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

Cambridge | £70,000-£75,000

We're partnered with an engineering consultancy working on advanced electronics systems used in the Defence, Space, Security and Industrial sectors. This role joins an established FPGA team delivering project-based work.

What you'll work on

You'll develop FPGA solutions for customer-led programmes, with a strong emphasis on DSP-heavy implementations.

Typical work includes:

• Translating system-level requirements into FPGA architectures
• Writing and reviewing HDL (primarily AMD/Xilinx, Vivado toolchain)
• DSP implementation within FPGA (filtering, modulation, detection, signal conditioning)
• Developing and refining Plextek IP and internal FPGA processes
• Supporting proposal writing, technical scoping, and estimates
• Working on radar, communications, video, and sensing systems
• Collaboration with hardware, software, RF, and systems engineers
• Most development targets AMD (Xilinx) devices, often Zynq SoCs.

What matters most

Depth of DSP knowledge within FPGA is the main selection factor. Candidates without hands-on DSP implementation experience will not progress.

Background that fits

Essential

• Strong FPGA development experience (HDL + simulation/test)
• Proven DSP implementation within FPGA
• Ability to break down system requirements into workable technical solutions
• Eligibility for UK Eyes / SC clearance

Beneficial

• Experience in radar, communications, video, or RF systems
• Consultancy or customer-facing engineering experience
• Comfort contributing to proposals and early-stage technical discussions

Team & environment

• Join a multidisciplinary consultancy team
• Work spans multiple programmes, not a single product
• Scope to influence technical direction, IP, and process
• Opportunity to mentor junior engineers

Location & package

• Based just south of Cambridge, with road and rail access
• £70,000-£75,000
• Career progression shaped by project exposure rather than fixed ladders
• Support for professional development
• Social and collaborative engineering culture
• Clearance
• UK Eyes eligibility required
• SC clearance acceptable (can be held or obtained)