At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our FPGA Academy to develop skills in cutting-edge electronic systems design.
- Company: Leonardo, a leader in advanced technology and engineering.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, mental health support, and flexible working options.
- Other info: 16-week structured training with hands-on projects and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Transform your engineering skills into impactful FPGA design roles with real-world applications.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; coding experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Your Impact
Are you looking for a change of role and are wondering if a move into FPGA (Field‑Programmable Gate Array) design might be for you? Leonardo provides a route to develop your existing skills in our on‑site FPGA Academy, to allow you to become a full‑time Senior FPGA / Firmware Engineer. You’ll then apply your talents to a range of cutting edge designs in our world class Radar and Advanced Targeting Systems (RATS) team.
About the FPGA Academy
The FPGA Academy is a 16‑week structured training and development program designed for engineers with transferable technical skill sets (such as electronic engineering, embedded software, or systems engineering) who wish to transition into FPGA / Firmware Engineering. The Academy provides focused technical training, mentored practical exercises, and hands‑on project work. On successful completion, engineers are deployed across a range of complex design projects, contributing to real systems alongside experienced FPGA and Electronics engineers. This programme is not intended for absolute beginners; it is aimed at capable engineers with strong fundamentals and proven problem‑solving ability who can quickly adapt and progress.
About the Role
As an FPGA Academy Engineer, you will re‑skill into a FPGA / Firmware engineering role and apply your existing engineering and coding experience to the design, implementation, and verification of complex electronic systems. You will learn how to translate requirements into robust FPGA‑based solutions and work within established engineering processes suitable for high‑reliability and mission‑critical applications.
What You’ll Do
During the Academy, and following deployment, you will undertake a structured 16‑week FPGA training programme including practical labs, mentored design exercises, online training material and self‑led research, apply systems thinking to hardware design challenges, and post training deployment into established engineering teams.
Responsibilities
- Hardware requirements, capture and management
- Concept development for complex functions and systems
- FPGA design, implementation, and analysis
- Applying verification techniques using VHDL or SystemVerilog, with exposure to UVM where applicable
- Production of material for design reviews
- Development of test planning, integration, and design verification activities
- Ensuring all firmware designs comply with the company firmware development process
- Working with FPGA technologies and tools from AMD, Altera, or Microchip
What you’ll bring
- A degree (BSc, BEng, MEng, MSc, PhD, EngD) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (preferred) or a related science (e.g. Physics)
- Coding experience, such as Embedded C / C++, Python / scripting languages, low‑level or real‑time software, algorithmic or systems‑level programming
- Proven engineering problem‑solving experience, demonstrated through academic projects, industrial experience or personal / independent engineering work
- Strong digital engineering fundamentals and the ability to learn quickly
Security Clearance
This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, which could include meeting the eligibility requirements for the Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).
Why join us
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
- Secure your Future: Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
- Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
- Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
- Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
- Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part‑time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.
Primary Location GB - Newcastle
Additional Locations GB - Edinburgh
Contract Type Permanent
Hybrid Working Hybrid
Embedded Design Engineer - FPGA Academy employer: 慨正橡扯
Leonardo is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for engineers to transition into FPGA design through our structured FPGA Academy. With a strong focus on employee development, we provide extensive training, mentorship, and hands-on project experience, all within a supportive work culture that values innovation and collaboration. Our generous benefits, including flexible working options, a robust pension scheme, and access to mental health support, ensure that our employees thrive both personally and professionally in our vibrant Newcastle location.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Embedded Design Engineer - FPGA Academy
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Leonardo, especially those in the FPGA Academy. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your engineering projects, especially any coding or design work. This will help us stand out during interviews and demonstrate our hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get familiar with VHDL or SystemVerilog if you haven't already. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and be ready to tackle some technical questions during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we often have updates on new roles and opportunities that might suit us perfectly.
We think you need these skills to ace Embedded Design Engineer - FPGA Academy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your existing engineering skills and coding experience in your application. We want to see how your background can transition into FPGA design, so don’t hold back on showcasing your problem-solving abilities!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to tailor your application specifically for the FPGA Academy role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand what we’re looking for and how you fit into our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so get to the point while still providing enough detail about your experiences and qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company there.
How to prepare for a job interview at 慨正橡扯
✨Know Your FPGA Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of FPGA design and implementation. Familiarise yourself with VHDL or SystemVerilog, as well as any relevant tools from AMD, Altera, or Microchip. This will show that you’re serious about transitioning into this role and have a solid foundation to build upon.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past. Highlight your problem-solving abilities through academic projects or previous work experience. This is crucial, as the role requires strong analytical skills and the ability to adapt quickly.
✨Engage with Practical Experience
If you have any hands-on experience with embedded systems or coding, be ready to talk about it. Share details about any projects where you applied your coding skills, especially in Embedded C/C++ or Python. This practical knowledge will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the FPGA Academy and the types of projects you might work on after training. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your career goals. It’s a great way to demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
