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- Tasks: Design and develop innovative firmware solutions for avionics systems using VHDL.
- Company: Join a global leader in the Defence Industry, shaping the future of technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team, working on cutting-edge technology with real-world impact.
- Qualifications: Must have expertise in VHDL/Verilog and experience with FPGA development tools.
- Other info: This role is open to sole UK nationals only, based in Luton or Edinburgh.
Senior / Principal Firmware Engineer
Before applying for this role, please read the following information about this opportunity found below.
Our client, a global leader in the Defence Industry is looking for a Senior / Principal Firmware Engineer working on avionics systems.
Role Overview:
The Senior / Principal firmware engineer would be responsible for design and development of Firmware designs using VHDL and verifying designs using VHDL or System Verilog.
Job Responsibilities:
The firmware engineer would work closely with Systems, Hardware and Software teams to provide firmware solutions and solve integration problems on complex systems.
Creating innovative and robust VHDL-based designs
Documenting and recording deliverables
Verifying firmware designs
Ensuring configuration management/keeping designs under revision control
Providing progress reports
Skills, Qualifications and Experience required:
Mandatory
Proven expertise of developing firmware using VHDL or Verilog
Experienced with Mentor Graphics FPGA development tools including HDL Designer, ModelSim / Questa and Precision
Familiar with Xilinx / Intel (Altera) / Microsemi (Actel) design flows (ISE, Vivado, Quartus) and third-party synthesis tools
Experience in specifying timing and area constraints for efficient FPGA Place and Route.
Ability to analyse system and / or hardware level requirements and derive detailed Firmware requirements
Independent verification using VHDL
Experience of firmware requirements capture and requirements management tools
De-bugging firmware designs and supporting integration & verification at hardware
and system level
A good understanding of firmware version control and revision control software
Experience of making technical decisions and mitigating technical risk for Firmware design activities.
Experience with High-Speed Serial protocols and implementations
Ability to coordinate day to day technical activities, liaising closely with the Project Engineering Lead / Lead firmware engineer & other disciplines
Excellent communication (oral & written) & interpersonal skills
Linux and scripting experience
Experience in writing technical reports/ documentationDesirable
Development of real-time, embedded, safety-critical firmware, preferably in accordance with RTCA/DO-254 DAL D
Independent verification using SystemVerilog / UVM
Relevant experience in the Aerospace or Defence industry
Experience of embedded processor cores (e.g. ARM) in FPGA designs
Familiarity with latest FPGA device families
Qualifications
Honours degree or equivalent in Electronics Engineering or another STEM-based subjectThis role could be based in Luton or Edinburgh
Due to security requirements this role is open to SOLE UK NATIONALS ONLY
Senior / Principal Firmware Engineer employer: Holt Executive
Contact Detail:
Holt Executive Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior / Principal Firmware Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to highlight your experience with VHDL and Verilog in any conversations or networking opportunities. These skills are crucial for the role, and demonstrating your expertise can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Mentor Graphics FPGA development tools like HDL Designer and ModelSim. If you can discuss specific projects where you've used these tools, it will show your hands-on experience and understanding of the technology.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the Aerospace and Defence industry. Attend relevant meetups or online forums to connect with others who work in this field, as they may provide insights or even referrals that could help you land the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with firmware version control and revision control software. Being able to articulate how you've managed firmware designs in past projects will demonstrate your organisational skills and attention to detail.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior / Principal Firmware Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with VHDL, Verilog, and FPGA development tools. Emphasise any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in firmware design and integration.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you are interested in the Senior / Principal Firmware Engineer role specifically. Mention your familiarity with the Defence industry and how your background aligns with the job responsibilities outlined.
Showcase Technical Skills: Clearly list your technical skills related to firmware development, such as experience with Mentor Graphics tools, Xilinx/Intel design flows, and any relevant programming or scripting languages. Use specific examples to demonstrate your expertise.
Highlight Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is crucial for this role, provide examples of how you've effectively collaborated with cross-functional teams in previous positions. This could include detailing your experience in documenting designs or presenting technical reports.
How to prepare for a job interview at Holt Executive
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with VHDL and Verilog in detail. Highlight specific projects where you've developed firmware, and be ready to explain the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Tools
Make sure you know the ins and outs of Mentor Graphics FPGA development tools like HDL Designer and ModelSim. Being able to discuss your proficiency with these tools will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
✨Understand the Defence Industry Context
Research the company and its position within the Defence industry. Understanding the unique challenges and requirements of avionics systems will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect to face technical questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Be ready to walk through your thought process on how you would approach integration problems or firmware debugging scenarios.