At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead firmware development for cutting-edge aerospace navigation and sensor technologies.
- Company: Join Collins Aerospace, a leader in precision and reliability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, excellent pension, and private health insurance.
- Why this job: Shape the future of aerospace technology and work with innovative systems.
- Qualifications: 2:1 degree in Electronics Engineering and strong VHDL experience required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with mentorship and career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
At Collins Aerospace, precision and reliability guide everything we do. Our Bristol and Plymouth sites are centres of excellence for navigation and control systems, powering world-class innovations like MEMS-based IMUs and TERPROM® terrain navigation systems. This is your opportunity to join a pioneering engineering team - in a hybrid role based in either Plymouth or Bristol - and take a leading role in the next generation of aerospace technology. We’re looking for a Lead FPGA Engineer ready to take a leading role in shaping the next generation of aerospace systems. You’ll work on high performance navigation and sensor technologies where precision, reliability, and innovation are critical.
What You Will Do:
- Lead full lifecycle firmware development on new and existing products and test equipment
- Work closely with the Electronics Discipline Chief to drive continuous improvement in the firmware development process
- Support the management and maintenance of software tools used by the digital design team
- Effectively communicate firmware design and process decision to both technical and nontechnical audiences
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary experts in systems, software, and mechanical design to bring complex projects to life
- Participate in peer reviews for firmware
- Share your expertise, mentor colleagues, and champion continuous improvement across the digital design team
What You’ll Learn:
- Develop deep expertise in high performance IMU and MEMS sensor design for real world aerospace applications
- Gain hands-on experience with formal aerospace development processes
- Work directly with cutting-edge FPGA and mixed-signal technologies in live aerospace systems
- Thrive in a high-performing, collaborative engineering environment where precision meets innovation
- Opportunity to develop broader electronics skills alongside digital design work
What You Must Have:
- A minimum 2:1 Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Electronics Engineering or a related field
- Strong VHDL experience — including architecture, coding, simulation, and test benching (Microchip, Xilinx, SoC)
- Proven experience of working to formal design standard such as DO-254
- Excellent communication skills
- Vision for continuous improvement and forward-thinking approach
Skills & Experience We Value:
- Familiarity with Verilog/SystemVerilog, OSVVM, UVM or UVVM
- Experience in MEMS sensors, airborne electronics, or ASIC development
- Cross-disciplinary awareness (systems, software, mechanical)
- Experience with E-CAD tools for schematic capture, PCB layout, and simulation (e.g. Xpedition, HyperLynx, AMS)
What We Can Offer You:
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Flexible and hybrid working options
- Excellent 2:1 matched pension contribution (up to 10%)
- Private health insurance and life assurance
- 25 days annual leave plus the ability to buy or sell up to 5 more
- Early finish on Fridays
- Career development, mentorship, and world-class training opportunities
- And much more!
Are you up for the challenge? If you’re ready to make an impact in a company where innovation, precision, and purpose come together, join our mission today.
Note: The successful candidate must hold an active or be willing and eligible to obtain SC level security clearance. Please note that access to certain projects may be restricted based on nationality. RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Lead FPGA Engineer in Plymouth employer: Collins Aerospace
Contact Detail:
Collins Aerospace Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead FPGA Engineer in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Collins Aerospace on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give us insights into the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your VHDL skills and understanding the latest in MEMS sensor technology. We want to show that we’re not just qualified, but genuinely excited about the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our communication skills! Since the job involves explaining complex ideas to non-technical folks, let’s rehearse how we’d break down our projects in simple terms. It’ll make a big difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we can tailor our application to highlight our fit for the Lead FPGA Engineer role.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead FPGA Engineer in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead FPGA Engineer role. Highlight your VHDL experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about aerospace technology and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Let us know what excites you about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be communicating with both technical and non-technical audiences, make sure to demonstrate your communication skills in your application. We love candidates who can convey complex ideas clearly and effectively!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Collins Aerospace
✨Know Your VHDL Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your VHDL skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with architecture, coding, simulation, and test benching. They’ll likely want to hear about specific projects where you’ve applied these skills.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves communicating complex firmware designs to both technical and non-technical audiences, practice explaining your past projects in simple terms. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between different teams.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to formal design standards like DO-254. Brush up on your knowledge of these standards and be prepared to discuss how you've implemented them in your previous work.
✨Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit
Collins Aerospace values teamwork, so think of examples where you’ve collaborated with multidisciplinary teams. Be ready to share how you’ve contributed to projects that required input from systems, software, and mechanical design experts.