At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our FPGA Academy to develop your skills in cutting-edge electronic systems design.
- Company: Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, mental health support, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic training programme with excellent career growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Transform your engineering skills into FPGA expertise and work on innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field, coding experience, and strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Your Impact
Are you looking for a change of role and are wondering if a move into FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) design might be for you? Leonardo provides a route to develop your existing skills in our on-site FPGA Academy, to allow you to become a full-time Senior FPGA / Firmware Engineer. You’ll then apply your talents to a range of cutting edge designs in our world class Radar and Advanced Targeting Systems (RATS) team.
About the FPGA Academy
The FPGA Academy is a 16‑week structured training and development programme designed for engineers with transferable technical skill sets (such as electronic engineering, embedded software, or systems engineering) who wish to transition into FPGA / Firmware Engineering. The Academy provides focused technical training, mentored practical exercises, and hands‑on project work. On successful completion, engineers are deployed across a range of complex design projects, contributing to real systems alongside experienced FPGA and Electronics engineers. This programme is not intended for absolute beginners; it is aimed at capable engineers with strong fundamentals and proven problem‑solving ability who can quickly adapt and progress.
About the Role
As an FPGA Academy Engineer, you will re-skill into a FPGA / Firmware engineering role and apply your existing engineering and coding experience to the design, implementation, and verification of complex electronic systems. You will learn how to translate requirements into robust FPGA-based solutions and work within established engineering processes suitable for high‑reliability and mission‑critical applications.
What You’ll Do
- Undertake a structured 16‑week FPGA training programme combining:
- Practical labs
- Mentored design exercises
- Online training material and self-led research
- Apply systems thinking to hardware design challenges
- Post training deployment into established engineering teams
Once you have completed the Academy, as a FPGA / Firmware Engineer, you will be responsible for (with support appropriate to your development stage):
- Hardware requirements, capture and management
- Concept development for complex functions and systems
- FPGA design, implementation, and analysis
- Applying verification techniques using VHDL or SystemVerilog, with exposure to UVM where applicable
- Production of material for design reviews
- Development of test planning, integration, and design verification activities
- Ensuring all firmware designs comply with the company firmware development process
- Working with FPGA technologies and tools from AMD, Altera, or Microchip
What you’ll bring
- A degree (BSc, BEng, MEng, MSc, PhD, EngD) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (preferred) or a related science (e.g. Physics)
- Coding experience, such as: Embedded C / C++, Python / scripting languages, Low‑level or real‑time software, algorithmic or systems‑level programming
- Proven engineering problem‑solving experience, demonstrated through academic projects, industrial experience or personal / independent engineering work
- Strong digital engineering fundamentals and the ability to learn quickly
Security Clearance
This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).
Why join us
At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
- Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
- Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
- Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
- Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
- Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.
For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website. Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.
At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.
Be part of something bigger - apply now!
Primary Location: GB - Newcastle
Additional Locations: GB - Edinburgh
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Hybrid
Embedded Design Engineer - FPGA Academy in Edinburgh employer: Leonardo
At Leonardo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. Our FPGA Academy provides a unique opportunity for engineers to transition into cutting-edge FPGA design roles, backed by comprehensive training and mentorship, while enjoying generous benefits such as flexible working hours, a robust pension scheme, and access to over 4,000 online courses for continuous learning. Join us in Newcastle, where you can contribute to innovative projects in Aerospace, Defence, and Security, all while being part of a diverse team that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Embedded Design Engineer - FPGA Academy in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Leonardo, especially those in the FPGA Academy. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your FPGA knowledge and coding skills. Practice explaining complex concepts simply, as you'll want to show off your problem-solving abilities and technical know-how.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for learning! Mention any relevant projects or courses you've taken that relate to FPGA or firmware engineering. This will demonstrate your commitment to transitioning into this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Leonardo.
We think you need these skills to ace Embedded Design Engineer - FPGA Academy in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that are relevant to the FPGA Academy role. Highlight any coding experience, problem-solving abilities, and engineering fundamentals that 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 interested in transitioning into FPGA design and how your background makes you a great fit for our Academy. Be genuine and let your passion show!
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any relevant projects, whether academic or personal, make sure to mention them. We love seeing how you've applied your skills in real-world scenarios, so don't hold back on the details!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to the right people. Plus, you'll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo
✨Know Your FPGA Basics
Before heading into the interview, brush up on your FPGA knowledge. Understand the fundamentals of VHDL or SystemVerilog, and be ready to discuss how you've applied coding in embedded systems. This will show that you’re not just a capable engineer but also someone who’s genuinely interested in transitioning into FPGA design.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples from your past experiences where you tackled engineering challenges. Whether it was during academic projects or in previous roles, highlight how you approached problems and what solutions you implemented. This will demonstrate your proven problem-solving ability, which is crucial for this role.
✨Familiarise with the Company’s Projects
Research Leonardo's work in Radar and Advanced Targeting Systems. Being able to discuss their projects and how your skills can contribute to them will set you apart. It shows that you’re proactive and genuinely interested in the company’s mission and values.
✨Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers
Think of insightful questions to ask during your interview. Inquire about the training programme, the types of projects you might work on, or the team dynamics. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role and company are the right fit for you.
