At a Glance
- Tasks: Design high-performance embedded products combining RF/microwave, analog, and high-speed digital circuitry.
- Company: Join Alpha Data, a leader in aerospace and defence technology solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to work on cutting-edge technology.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to work on diverse and challenging projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a hands-on role with innovative projects and technologies.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in hardware design, strong RF/analog and digital skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
For over three decades, Alpha Data has empowered leading aerospace, defence, and datacentre customers with RF/analog, and high-speed digital compute solutions based around AMD FPGAs. From our locations in the USA and UK, we bring the inherent cost savings and accelerated time-to-market of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products to customers around the world. Our highly skilled design team also specializes in modified COTS solutions to meet our customer’s unique and challenging requirements, ensuring we succeed together!
We are seeking a senior engineer to design high-performance embedded products combining RF/microwave, analog, and high-speed digital circuitry, based around AMD Versal RF and adaptive SoC platforms. The role is hands-on, spans the full product lifecycle, and requires a broad skillset. This includes expertise in RF/analog design (e.g. impedance matching, simulation, and lab validation) combined with experience in high-speed digital PCB design (e.g. DDR5, 200G ethernet, and PCIe Gen6) and the ability to merge these varied disciplines into a dense multilayer PCB while accounting for the associated power and signal integrity challenges.
In addition to electronics design, the role involves: hardware bring-up, characterisation, FPGA design, creating software for validation, supporting production, and customer communications.
Responsibilities- Design and develop mixed-signal PCBs combining RF/analog (to ~18GHz) with high-speed digital interfaces (e.g. DDR5, SERDES) around AMD FPGA platforms.
- Perform RF design and simulation (e.g. matching networks, transmission lines, baluns) and validate designs using simulation and lab equipment (3D EM simulation, VNA, spectrum analyser, signal generator).
- Take ownership of board-level design from schematic through layout support, bring-up, and characterisation.
- Work closely with PCB layout engineers on high-density, multilayer designs with tight signal and power integrity requirements.
- Debug and diagnose hardware issues at board and system level, including RF performance, high-speed interfaces, and power-related problems.
- Develop FPGA designs and software tools (e.g. Vivado, TCL, Python) to support hardware validation and test.
- Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, test cases, and validation procedures for hardware prototypes and production units.
- Collaborate with firmware, software, and mechanical teams to deliver complete systems.
- Support production and customer-facing activities, including issue investigation and technical documentation.
- Bachelor’s, Master’s degree, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- 8+ years of experience in board-level hardware design with a strong focus on analog/RF.
- Proficiency with simulation, schematic capture, and PCB layout tools (Keysight ADS, OrCAD CIS, and Cadence Allegro).
- Demonstrated experience with analog RF and high-speed digital design principles, including signal integrity and power integrity considerations.
- Experience with hardware testing, debugging, and validation using lab equipment (VNA, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, etc).
- Excellent problem-solving skills and a meticulous attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a cross-functional team environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- 15+ years of experience in analog and digital hardware design.
- Strong understanding of Direct RF FPGA architectures, development flows, and design techniques (VHDL/Verilog).
- Previous design experience with AMD RFSoC.
- Experience with AMD FPGA devices and associated development tools (e.g., Vivado and Vitis).
- Experience with x86 and ARM processing architectures.
- Knowledge of industry standards such as VPX, PCIe, DDRx, Ethernet, and various communication protocols.
- Experience in designing for harsh environments, including ruggedized (e.g., aerospace and defense).
- Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, Tcl, windows batch) for automation of design and test flows.
- Experience supporting products through the entire lifecycle, from concept to end-of-life.
Senior Mixed Digital & RF/Microwave Electronics Design Engineer (AD-ENG15) in Edinburgh employer: Alpha Data | FPGA
At Alpha Data, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our team enjoys competitive benefits, a strong focus on employee development, and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology in the aerospace and defence sectors. Located in both the USA and UK, we provide a unique chance to engage with global customers while contributing to meaningful projects that make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mixed Digital & RF/Microwave Electronics Design Engineer (AD-ENG15) in Edinburgh
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Alpha Data | FPGA for a Senior Mixed Digital & RF/Microwave Electronics Design Engineer (AD-ENG15). This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mixed Digital & RF/Microwave Electronics Design Engineer (AD-ENG15) in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Alpha Data | FPGA, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Alpha Data | FPGA, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Alpha Data | FPGA
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Alpha Data | FPGA.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Alpha Data | FPGA. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Alpha Data | FPGA love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
