At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our FPGA Academy to develop skills in cutting-edge electronic 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 real-world project opportunities.
- Why this job: Transform your engineering skills into impactful FPGA design projects.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; coding experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Embedded Design Engineer - FPGA Academy (Edinburgh)
✨Get Hands-On Experience
Dive into practical projects, even if they're DIY at home or in your community. Many engineering firms are impressed by real-world application, so build something cool and document it! Showing action is way more impactful than just talking about theories.
✨Join Engineering Societies and Clubs
Get involved with engineering clubs at your university or local societies. These communities often host events, workshops, and networking opportunities that can lead you to internships or traineeships. Plus, you'll meet like-minded folks and get a chance to show off your enthusiasm!
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Programme
Don’t underestimate the power of university connections! Reach out to alumni who’ve ventured into engineering roles. They might have insider tips or even know of traineeship opportunities at places like Leonardo. A warm introduction can often go a long way.
✨Apply Early and Often
Trainee positions can fill up fast, so get your applications in as soon as you spot them! Keep an eye on our website for openings at companies like Leonardo. The earlier you apply, the more chances you’ll have to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Embedded Design Engineer - FPGA Academy (Edinburgh)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:As you’re applying for a trainee role in engineering, make sure to list your relevant technical skills prominently on your CV. Include any specific software or tools you’ve used (like CAD software) and mention specific projects or coursework that showcases your hands-on experience. We want to see what you’ve done and what you can bring to the table!
Get Personal with Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your passion for engineering and why you’re excited about the opportunity at Leonardo. Talk about what drives you and any specific areas of engineering you're keen on exploring further. We love to see your motivation and how you plan to grow in this role. Tailor it to us, and we’ll notice!
Highlight Your Educational Journey:Since this is a trainee position, your educational background is key! Make sure to mention not just your degree, but any relevant certifications or additional training you’ve taken. If you're a recent graduate or still studying, we want to see how your studies connect to this role in engineering.
Include Group Projects or Internships:If you’ve worked on any group projects or have had internships, make sure to call them out in your application. Collaboration is vital in engineering, so we want to see how well you’ve worked with others in real-world scenarios. Sharing this experience can set you apart from other trainees applying to Leonardo!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo
✨Speak the Lingo
Engineering is packed with technical jargon, so brush up on relevant terminology. Whether it's CAD software or the basics of thermodynamics, you might be asked to explain concepts or tools you're familiar with. Using the right language shows you're not just a newbie but someone who's got a genuine interest in the field!
✨Problem-Solving in Action
Expect technical questions or scenarios where you’ll be asked to solve engineering problems. Practise logic puzzles or review relevant project cases you've worked on, even if they're part of your studies. Showcasing your critical thinking skills is key, especially in a trainee position where they want to see your potential!
✨Show Us Your Projects
As a trainee, your portfolio might not be extensive, but bring along any relevant projects you’ve completed during your studies. Highlighting your hands-on experience, even if it’s from coursework or internships, gives the interviewers at Leonardo a tangible taste of your skills and what you can bring to their team.
✨Be Ready to Learn
In a trainee role, demonstrating a willingness to learn is crucial. Be prepared to discuss how you handle feedback and adapt to new challenges, as this is a trait many companies, including Leonardo, will be looking for. They want to see that you’re not just eager to hit the ground running, but also keen to grow within the engineering field!
