At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and implementation of secure firmware for high-assurance defence systems.
- Company: Join a mission-driven company focused on cyber capabilities and defence solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, mentorship opportunities, and impactful work in a collaborative environment.
- Other info: Onsite role in Maidenhead with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in defence technology while developing your technical leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with FPGA platforms and strong understanding of verification practices required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Step into an exciting, mission-led career as a Principal FPGA Engineer, shaping secure firmware that powers high-assurance defence and cyber capabilities.
If you enjoy leading complex technical work, mentoring others, and turning challenging requirements into robust, testable FPGA-based systems, this Principal FPGA Engineer role is built for you.
The work is collaborative, highly technical, and genuinely impactful, with the opportunity to influence architecture from the earliest stages through verification and qualification.
What You Will Do
- Lead the architecture, design, implementation, integration and verification of firmware systems built on FPGAs as a Principal FPGA Engineer.
- Translate inbound user and systems needs into clear, verifiable firmware requirements, providing constructive feedback where requirements are ambiguous.
- Produce high-quality firmware designs and documentation, including specification, reports and requirement traceability with verification methods.
- Chair and contribute to significant technical design reviews, ensuring deliverables meet the expected standards and maturity.
- Estimate delivery time and effort accurately for self and others, driving cost-effective solutions and predictable progress.
- Provide specialist guidance across the engineering team, mentor firmware engineers, and champion continuous improvement in firmware development processes.
What You Will Bring
- Proven experience delivering firmware on FPGA platforms using VHDL across more than one project, with a full life-cycle approach.
- Strong understanding of FPGA tool flows and verification practices, plus the confidence to work with industry-standard communication protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C and TCP/IP.
- Demonstrable technical leadership, including design-methodology maturity (for example requirements through verification using a structured V-model approach).
- Experience with version control, change control and defect tracking, ensuring governance and traceability are embedded in day-to-day delivery.
- Willingness to obtain and maintain the relevant security clearance required for this Principal FPGA Engineer position, including eligibility rules tied to residency and citizenship.
In the wider cyber and defence engineering industry, this Principal FPGA Engineer role helps this business deliver confidential, reliable cryptographic and key management solutions.
By integrating firmware considerations early, ensuring compliance and supporting robust verification, this Principal FPGA Engineer will directly strengthen the engineering organisation's ability to deliver secure outcomes for demanding operational environments.
Location
Based onsite in Maidenhead, UK.
Interested?
If Principal FPGA Engineer work that combines technical leadership, secure firmware delivery and real-world impact sounds like the next step, apply now to be considered for this exciting opportunity.
Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978.
The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.
Principal FPGA Engineer in Maidenhead employer: Jonathan Lee Recruitment Careers
Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and hands-on expertise in the advanced propulsion and test engineering sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer a collaborative work culture where your contributions directly impact our cutting-edge projects. Located in a dynamic environment, we provide competitive pay, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive team atmosphere that encourages practical problem-solving and continuous improvement.
Contact Details:
Jonathan Lee Recruitment Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal FPGA Engineer in Maidenhead
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal FPGA Engineer in Maidenhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Principal FPGA Engineer, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Jonathan Lee Recruitment Careers a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Jonathan Lee Recruitment Careers specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Jonathan Lee Recruitment Careers
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Jonathan Lee Recruitment Careers, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Jonathan Lee Recruitment Careers want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
