Lead Firmware Engineer

<p>FPGA Engineer – Precision Guidance – Basildon – Defence/Aerospace</p><br>Are you the right candidate for this opportunity Make sure to read the full description below.<br><p>We are seeking a skilled <strong>FPGA Engineer</strong> to join a multi‑disciplinary team working in the <strong>Precision Guidance</strong> domain for advanced airborne electro‑optics subsystems.</p><p>In this broad firmware role, you’ll be involved across the product lifecycle – from initial concept through to early life production – working with the latest high‑speed <strong>FPGAs</strong> and <strong>System-on-Chips (SoCs)</strong> to help shape next‑generation products.</p><p><strong>Location:</strong> Basildon</p><p><strong>Role Type:</strong> Initial 6 months Contract (Inside of scope)</p><p><strong>Discipline:</strong> FPGA / Firmware Engineering – Airborne Electro‑Optics</p><p>Role Overview – What You’ll Do</p><ul><li>Capture and manage <strong>firmware requirements</strong></li><li><strong>FPGA design and analysis</strong> for complex airborne electro‑optics subsystems</li><li>Produce high‑quality documentation to support other engineers and design reviews</li><li>Develop <strong>FPGA test</strong> and <strong>FPGA integration</strong> plans</li><li>Perform system integration alongside <strong>PCB designers</strong> and <strong>embedded software engineers</strong></li><li>Support all firmware designs through a structured <strong>firmware design process</strong> (training provided)</li><li>Modify and enhance existing firmware designs and associated test benches</li><li>Interact with <strong>partner organisations, sub‑contractors and potential customers</strong> within a broader sensor product development environment</li></ul><p>Essential Skills & Experience</p><ul><li>Hands‑on experience with <strong>FPGA technologies</strong> from one or more of: <strong>Xilinx, Microsemi (Actel), Lattice</strong>, and associated toolchains</li><li>Strong <strong>verification</strong> skills using <strong>VHDL</strong> and/or <strong>SystemVerilog / UVM</strong></li><li>Ability to specify complex <strong>timing</strong> and <strong>area constraints</strong> for efficient place and route</li><li>Capability to <strong>analyse system‑level requirements</strong> and derive detailed firmware requirements</li><li>A <strong>methodical approach</strong> to the full firmware design lifecycle, working to a structured process such as <strong>RTCA DO‑254</strong> or similar</li><li>Experience debugging firmware and supporting <strong>verification and integration</strong> at hardware and system level alongside Software and Hardware Engineers</li><li>Ability to make sound <strong>technical decisions</strong> and mitigate technical risk in firmware activities</li><li>Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to work across multiple engineering disciplines</li></ul><p><strong>Desirable:</strong></p><ul><li>Experience with <strong>safety‑related firmware</strong> to <strong>IEC 61508</strong></li><li>Familiarity with <strong>Siemens EDA</strong> tools (e.g. <strong>HDL Designer</strong>, <strong>ModelSim/Questa</strong>)</li><li>Awareness of <strong>Safety, Security and other legislative constraints</strong></li><li>Engineering experience with <strong>electro‑optic systems</strong> (e.g. cameras, thermal imagers, image processing systems/algorithms)</li><li>Experience mentoring more junior engineers</li></ul><p>This is an excellent opportunity to work on cutting‑edge precision guidance and electro‑optic technologies within a high‑calibre engineering environment. xwzovoh </p><p>If you have strong FPGA/firmware experience and are looking for your next role in Basildon, please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.</p>