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- Tasks: Lead firmware development and verification for cutting-edge aerospace projects.
- Company: Innovative aerospace firm known for ethics and veteran support.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative teams and strategic involvement in complex engineering solutions.
- Why this job: Shape advanced systems and drive innovation in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electronics Engineering and strong FPGA design experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Important: All applicants must be eligible for security clearance.
Working: The role offers flexible & hybrid working. It would be beneficial to be on-site 3 days a week.
The Opportunity: Are you an experienced Firmware Engineer ready to take on complex, high-impact projects in a cutting-edge engineering environment? This is an opportunity to step into a role where your expertise will shape advanced systems and drive innovation across the full development lifecycle. You'll work on sophisticated, safety-critical programmes, contributing to both existing platforms and next-generation technologies. This role offers the chance to operate at a strategic level whilst remaining hands-on with design, verification, and technical leadership.
The Company: Consistently recognised for ethics, veteran support, early-career development, and innovation, while delivering some of the most trusted programmes in aerospace and national security. Chosen for some of the most complex, single-award defence programmes, showing clear evidence of proven delivery, technical depth, and trusted security expertise.
Role Responsibilities:
- Leading firmware development and verification activities, primarily using VHDL
- Driving design excellence through end-to-end lifecycle involvement, from concept through to delivery
- Leading internal and external design reviews, ensuring quality, compliance, and best practice
- Contributing to system architecture decisions, where firmware plays a critical role
- Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex engineering solutions
- Applying and supporting compliance with relevant standards, including RTCA/DO-254
Experience needed:
- Degree-level education in Electronics Engineering or equivalent experience.
- Strong experience in FPGA design and implementation for complex systems
- Proven expertise in VHDL development and verification methodologies
- Hands-on experience with Xilinx (Vivado) and ideally Microsemi (Libero) toolsets
- Solid understanding of simulation, test benches, and verification strategies
- Experience working with 3rd party IP cores
- Familiarity with requirements capture, estimation, and work package definition
- Exposure to DO-254 or similar regulated development environments (desirable)
- Knowledge of video processing/interfaces is a plus
Even if you feel like you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to reach out and apply.
Principal Firmware Engineer - Hybrid Working in Brighton employer: Defence
Contact Detail:
Defence Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Firmware Engineer - Hybrid Working in Brighton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant meetups, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects, especially in aerospace and national security. Be ready to discuss how your experience with VHDL and FPGA design can contribute to their innovative solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on skills! If you’ve worked on complex systems or safety-critical programmes, be sure to highlight specific examples during interviews. Demonstrating your technical leadership and design excellence can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always looking for talented individuals like you. Even if you don’t tick every box, we encourage you to submit your application and show us what you can bring to the table.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Firmware Engineer - Hybrid Working in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your expertise in VHDL, FPGA design, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can contribute to our cutting-edge engineering environment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about firmware engineering and how your background aligns with our mission. Don’t forget to mention your experience with safety-critical programmes and compliance standards like DO-254.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight your hands-on experience with tools like Xilinx (Vivado) and Microsemi (Libero). We love seeing specific examples of how you've applied your technical knowledge in real-world scenarios, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Defence
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your VHDL development and FPGA design skills. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving complex systems. This will show that you not only have the technical know-how but also practical experience.
✨Understand the Company
Research the company’s role in aerospace and national security. Familiarise yourself with their key programmes and values, especially around ethics and innovation. This will help you align your answers with what they value most during the interview.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions, particularly around design reviews and compliance with standards like RTCA/DO-254. Prepare examples of how you've ensured quality and best practices in your previous roles to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves working within multidisciplinary teams, be ready to share experiences where you successfully collaborated with others. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve contributed to team success in delivering complex engineering solutions.