FPGA Engineer in Cheltenham

FPGA Engineer – Permanent – Full Time (Mostly Onsite)

Salary: £42,000 - £52,000 DOE

Location: Lincoln

Benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave (inclusive of December shutdown)
• Buy or sell up to 5 days’ leave
• Two pension schemes
• Private Medical & Dental Insurance
• Life Assurance (4 x salary)
• Save and share schemes
• Electric/Hybrid car leasing
• Cycle to work
• Retail discounts
• Continuous Professional Development
• Annual Wellness Allowance

We’re open to engineers both within defence and from adjacent sectors (semiconductors, comms, HPC), where these FPGA skillsets are directly transferable.

Why this role matters:

Electromagnetic Warfare is no longer a niche capability. It is central to how modern operations are conducted across air, land and maritime domains. At MASS, our Electronic Warfare Operations Support (EWOS) Group works at the heart of that challenge, developing software, systems and training that support the UK and its allies in operating effectively within the electromagnetic battlespace.

As an FPGA Engineer, you’ll be working on real-time signal processing systems that underpin mission-critical capability. This is not abstract R&D or purely theoretical work. You’ll be contributing to systems that are designed to perform in real-world environments. If you’re currently working in semiconductors, communications, high-performance computing or advanced electronics, your FPGA and signal processing experience will transfer directly into this space.

If you’re in a larger organisation, you may only see a small part of the system. Here, you’ll gain exposure to how your work fits into the wider architecture and how it performs in practice.

Why Lincoln?

We recognise that the right person for this role may not be local. We actively support relocation to Lincoln (up to £8k). This role is an opportunity to move into a domain where your work has clear, real-world impact. Lincoln is one of the UK’s key hubs for Electronic Warfare and spectrum operations, with close proximity to MOD and RAF customer environments, including the JEWOSC ecosystem at RAF Waddington.

You’ll be working in an environment where EW capability is actively developed, tested and applied, not just specified. This role does require a strong on-site presence. While there is some flexibility, the majority of your time will be spent in Lincoln or working alongside customers in the UK and internationally.

How you’ll support us:

You’ll support the design, development and testing of FPGA-based systems within RF and signal processing chains. Working alongside experienced engineers and domain specialists, you’ll contribute to the delivery of high-performance, real-time systems.

• Implement FPGA designs for RF signal processing applications
• Develop on RFSoC and FPGA platforms, integrating high-speed ADC/DAC interfaces
• Work with VHDL, SystemVerilog and MATLAB/Simulink
• Support lab-based integration, test and evaluation using RF instrumentation
• Contribute to simulation, synthesis and implementation using tools such as Vivado and Quartus
• Support embedded software development and system integration (C/C++)
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust technical solutions

The invaluable experience you’ll bring, to help us achieve more:

We’re expecting that you’ve already built a solid foundation in FPGA or digital design and are looking to develop further in a more applied, systems-focused environment.

Essential experience:

• Degree in a STEM subject (e.g. Electronics, Physics, Mathematics)
• Experience developing FPGA-based systems (c.2+ years)
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink
• Experience using lab equipment (oscilloscopes, signal generators, logic analysers)

Desirable experience:

• Embedded systems or FPGA-based system integration
• Knowledge of high-throughput data handling or signal processing
• Experience within RF, EW, radar or related domains

Our non-negotiables:

Due to the highly secure nature of the work, you must be:

• A UK National
• Eligible to obtain and maintain UK Government SC clearance (Gov guidance)

Who is MASS?

MASS is an independent, global technology company, trusted by highly secure organisations to provide advanced digital services that manage data and keep information safe. With a strong heritage in defence, we deliver robust solutions into environments where security expertise is essential. We work in close partnership with our customers, combining deep technical expertise with innovative thinking to deliver agile, resilient solutions that secure advantage and enable digital transformation.

MASS is an equal opportunities employer. We value smart, skilled and motivated people, and in return we offer a supportive, friendly workplace where everyone has the opportunity to make a real impact. Apply today to see how working for MASS could work for you.