FPGA Engineer in Cambridge

Your mission at planqc is to build scalable quantum computers based on neutral atoms — one of the most promising platforms for achieving real-world quantum advantage. As we expand our international presence and establish our operations in the United Kingdom, we are looking for an FPGA Engineer to join us at this exciting stage of our growth.

As an FPGA Engineer, you will be part of our Electrical Engineering team, developing high-performance control systems at the core of our quantum computing platform. Your work will focus on designing and implementing real-time FPGA-based systems that enable precise control and readout of individual atoms with nanosecond accuracy. Working closely with quantum hardware and software teams, you will translate complex experimental requirements into robust, scalable firmware solutions. Your contributions will be critical in advancing system performance, stability, and scalability, enabling the next generation of quantum algorithms and applications. This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy working at the intersection of hardware, firmware, and cutting-edge physics. This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of our quantum technology while helping shape planqc's engineering presence in the UK.

Your responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and optimize FPGA-based control and data acquisition systems for quantum computing applications.
• Develop synthesizable modules in SystemVerilog, Verilog, or VHDL for real-time signal generation and acquisition.
• Implement high-speed interfaces for ADC/DAC systems and ensure reliable data throughput.
• Integrate high-performance vision interfaces (e.g. CameraLink, CoaXpress, HDMI/DisplayPort).
• Develop and maintain testbenches and simulation environments (e.g. SystemVerilog, cocotb, Python).
• Co-design firmware and software interfaces for SoC architectures (PS-PL communication).
• Design robust clocking, synchronization, and trigger architectures across multiple boards.
• Collaborate closely with physicists, hardware engineers, and software teams to ensure seamless system integration.
• Contribute to system architecture decisions and continuous performance improvements.
• Contribute to the development of our UK engineering activities as we establish and grow our local presence.

What you bring:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• 3+ years of FPGA development experience (or equivalent experience with an advanced degree).
• Strong proficiency in SystemVerilog, Verilog, or VHDL and experience with functional verification.
• Solid understanding of timing closure and static timing analysis across multiple clock domains.
• Experience working on projects involving signal processing, image processing, or control systems.
• Strong knowledge of AXI protocols (AXI4, AXI-Stream, AXI-Lite).
• Experience developing firmware on SoCs (e.g. ARM, RISC-V, or similar architectures).
• Ability to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams, especially with experimental physicists.

Nice to have:

• Experience with high-bandwidth (>1 GSPS) ADC/DAC systems.
• Experience with high-speed camera acquisition and in-memory image processing.
• Hands-on experience with Xilinx SoCs and toolchains (Vivado, Vitis/SDK).
• Experience with embedded Linux systems (Yocto, PetaLinux).
• Background in real-time systems or low-latency architectures.
• Experience in laboratory environments or experimental setups.
• Familiarity with quantum computing or AMO physics.

What characterizes you:

• You enjoy solving complex technical challenges at the intersection of hardware and software.
• You take ownership of your work and drive topics from concept to implementation.
• You have a structured, detail-oriented approach to engineering.
• You are curious and motivated to work on cutting-edge technology.
• You thrive in collaborative, interdisciplinary environments.

Why join planqc:

• Join at an early stage. Become part of our growing UK presence and contribute to its development.
• Work on cutting-edge technology. Build and improve neutral-atom quantum hardware at the forefront of quantum computing.
• Make a tangible impact. Take ownership of critical technical systems and see your contributions directly influence our technology.
• Collaborate internationally. Work alongside experienced scientists and engineers across our European teams.
• Grow with us. Develop your expertise and responsibilities as our technology and international organisation evolve.
• Combine research with engineering. Work in an environment where scientific curiosity meets the ambition to build reliable, scalable systems.

What we offer:

• International collaboration. Work with colleagues across our growing European organisation.
• Learning and development. Opportunities for professional training, technical development, conference participation and knowledge sharing.
• Flexible working. Flexible working arrangements where compatible with laboratory and operational requirements.
• Career development. Opportunities to grow your responsibilities as our UK operations expand.
• Collaborative culture. An international, interdisciplinary environment built around curiosity, ownership and teamwork.
• UK benefits package: 10% Employer pension Contribution (NEST), private medical and dental insurance with BUPA, paid secondment in Germany (Munich).