Lead FPGA Engineer

Role Overview: The Lead FPGA Engineer (LFE) would be responsible for the success of the engineering activities within an Integrated FPGA Product Team or one of the products within a FPGA Product Line.

Job Responsibilities:

• The LFE is responsible for defining and leading the Work Packages (WPs) for the team members on a day-to-day basis. Assignment of the WPs would happen in consultation with the Project Engineering Manager (PEM).
• The LFE is responsible for providing their team with clear expectations of the engineering outcomes, ensuring that they operate consistently within the Policies & Procedures and to foster the improvement goals defined by the Engineering Function.
• The LFE works with the PEM or Project Manager (PM), depending on the size of IPT, and ensures they are kept informed of the engineering status (progress, spend, risks, metrics) and supports the IPTL in internal and external engagements.
• The LFE will organise the work of the team and ensure quality and timely outcomes typically using agile methodologies.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Lead the Engineering aspects of the FPGA Project or Product Line (depending on the size of IPT there may be multiple LFEs).
• Manage a FPGA Engineering Team to deliver the project outcomes.
• Ensure that the outcomes for success are clearly defined and well communicated.
• Ensure that the FPGA Engineering activities are well planned, costed and scheduled with the Project Planning and Project Management Community. The plans will follow best practice WBS and resource plans captured appropriately.
• Ensure with the PEM, that the FPGA engineering team has a well-documented Engineering Plan and that the plan is followed.
• Report on progress of the Engineering plan as needed.
• Ensure the FPGA Engineering team follows an effectively tailored Life Cycle Management Process, leading the Design Reviews.
• Oversee the completion of the project outcomes to quality, cost and schedule ensuring that the project performance is accurately reported throughout.
• Maintain an effective dialogue with the PEM and PM, reporting status and risks to the project throughout.
• Work closely with the FPGA & Systems Design Authorities ensuring they are fully informed on technical progress and technical risks, requesting support as required.
• Support the PEM for engineering reviews and team briefs.
• Support the team with day-to-day technical queries and hands-on troubleshooting.

Work Experience:

Skills, Qualifications and Experience required:

Mandatory:

• Proven experience in FPGA engineering management and delivery of projects.
• Engineering or scientific Degree qualification (or equivalent).
• Excellent communicator and able to provide clear direction to FPGA teams.
• Ability to manage complex situations with sound judgement and the ability to balance conflicting challenges.
• Commercial and business awareness.
• At least 10 years’ experience of developing FPGA using VHDL or Verilog.
• Experienced with Mentor Graphics FPGA development tools including HDL Designer, ModelSim / Questa and Precision.
• Familiar with Xilinx / Intel (Altera) / Microsemi (Actel) design flows (ISE, Vivado, Quartus) and third-party synthesis tools.
• Experience in specifying timing and area constraints for efficient FPGA Place and Route. Independent verification using VHDL.
• Experience of FPGA requirements capture and requirements management tools.
• A good understanding of FPGA version control and revision control software.
• Experience of making technical decisions and mitigating technical risk for FPGA design activities.
• Ability to coordinate day-to-day technical activities.
• Excellent communication (oral & written) & interpersonal skills.
• Experience of working across the full life cycle.
• Familiarity with latest FPGA device families and verification methodologies.
• Ability to analyse system and/or hardware level requirements and derive detailed FPGA requirements.
• De-bugging FPGA designs and supporting integration & verification at hardware and system level.
• Experience with High-Speed Serial protocols and implementations.
• Linux and scripting experience.
• Practical experience with agile methodology.
• Experience in writing technical reports/documentation.

Desirable:

• Development of real-time, embedded, safety-critical FPGA, preferably in accordance with RTCA/DO-254 DAL A/B or below.
• Electronic Warfare or RF Systems Experience.
• Defence domain experience or relevant experience in the Aerospace industry.
• Development and certification of airborne equipment.
• New Product Introduction experience.
• Independent verification using SystemVerilog / UVM.
• Experience of embedded processor cores (e.g. ARM) in FPGA designs.

Qualifications:

• Honours degree or equivalent in Electronics Engineering or another STEM-based subject.
• UK citizenship is mandatory to be able to clear the background checks and obtain SC clearance.
• Current valid SC clearance would be an advantage.

Security Clearance:

You must be eligible for full security clearance with Sole British Nationality.