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- Tasks: Lead complex FPGA projects, focusing on design, support, and maintenance.
- Company: Active Silicon is a top player in cutting-edge computer imaging products for various industries.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, pension scheme, life assurance, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team creating world-class products with a strong focus on innovation and quality.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in electronic engineering; 5+ years of FPGA and hardware design experience required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with advanced technologies and contribute to impactful projects globally.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 60000 £ per year.
Active Silicon is a market leader in the design and manufacture of leading-edge computer imaging products. These products are used in many areas of science and industry, including manufacturing, life sciences, medical imaging, robotics, and security, with many products targeted to specific customer requirements. The current range of products can be seen on the company’s website. The type of customers we have are generally medium to large companies with which we forge strong long-term relationships and are located all over the world.
As part of Active Silicon’s expansion, there is now the need for a Senior FPGA Engineer. The ideal candidate will be able to take ownership of complex FPGA-related projects from a design, support, and maintenance perspective.
- Job Type: A technical role for advanced FPGA design, verification, and support
- Location: Langley, UK (just outside M25, NW London) with the option of hybrid home/office working
- Hours: 37.5 hours per week, 26 days (plus public holidays)
- Salary: Range £40,000 to £75,000 depending on skills and experience, plus salary-sacrifice pension (5% employer, 3% employee) and discretionary bonus scheme. Life assurance at 4x basic salary.
- Access to Westfield Health Scheme including:
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounted gym membership
Qualifications: Typically a Bachelor's degree in electronic engineering or similar, and maybe a post-graduate Master's degree.
Experience: Likely to be 5+ years commercial FPGA and general hardware design experience.
The type of person we are looking for:
- The right candidate is likely to have a good engineering degree, plus perhaps other post-graduate qualifications and a track record of design engineering in the field of high-speed digital/FPGA.
- Focussed – able to work to deadlines and meet targets.
- Success driven – having the desire to produce the best products, right first time.
- Experienced in FPGA design using VHDL/SystemVerilog with AMD (Xilinx), Lattice, or Intel (Altera) products.
- Familiarity with high-speed interfaces in FPGAs such as PCI Express, Ethernet, CoaXPress, MIPI, QSFP, and DDR4/5.
- Familiarity with advanced simulation methods including OSVVM/SystemVerilog.
- Familiarity with general hardware, PCB, and EMI/EMC best practices.
- Communication – good written, verbal, and presentation skills – the ability to communicate with the rest of the engineering team, as well as to customers from a support perspective.
Useful additional expertise:
- Experience working with imaging devices, GenICam software standard, video processing/streaming, working with cameras, codecs, and streaming protocols.
- Experience of C#, Python, Qt, WPF, Visual Studio.
- Experience working with Windows and Linux device drivers.
- Experience with Nvidia Jetson.
- Experience creating CI/CD and automated test infrastructure with hardware in the loop.
- Experience building CI/CD pipelines with GitLab or GitHub.
- Familiarity with I2C, SPI, CoaXPress protocols.
- Familiarity reading schematics and using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes.
Contact Detail:
Active Silicon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior FPGA Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific FPGA technologies mentioned in the job description, such as VHDL/SystemVerilog and the products from AMD (Xilinx), Lattice, or Intel (Altera). This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the FPGA and imaging device sectors. Attend relevant industry events or join online forums where you can connect with current employees or others in the field. This could provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous projects in detail, especially those involving high-speed digital design and FPGA development. Be ready to explain your problem-solving approach and how you ensure quality in your work, as this aligns with the company's focus on producing best-in-class products.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication skills by practising how you would explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. This is crucial for a role that involves customer support and collaboration with other engineering teams.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior FPGA Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior FPGA Engineer position. Familiarise yourself with the specific skills mentioned in the job description, such as experience with VHDL/SystemVerilog and high-speed interfaces.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Emphasise your FPGA design experience, any projects you've led, and your familiarity with the technologies mentioned, such as PCI Express and GenICam.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for engineering and your drive to produce high-quality products. Mention specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to meet deadlines and targets, as well as your communication skills.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a technical role like this one.
How to prepare for a job interview at Active Silicon
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with FPGA design, particularly using VHDL/SystemVerilog. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully implemented high-speed interfaces like PCI Express or Ethernet, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the technical demands of the role.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare examples from your past work where you encountered challenges in FPGA design or hardware integration and how you overcame them. This will show your analytical thinking and resilience.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since communication is key in this role, practice articulating complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner. Be ready to explain your design choices and how they benefit the end product, as well as how you would communicate with customers for support.
✨Research the Company and Its Products
Familiarise yourself with Active Silicon's range of products and their applications in various industries. Understanding their market position and customer base will allow you to tailor your responses and show genuine interest in contributing to their success.
