At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead firmware development for cutting-edge aerospace navigation systems.
- Company: Join Collins Aerospace, a leader in innovative engineering solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role with mentorship and world-class training available.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of aerospace technology.
- Qualifications: 2:1 degree in Electronics Engineering and strong VHDL experience required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Date Posted
Country
United Kingdom


Location
Plymouth, Plymouth


Position Role Type
Hybrid
At Collins Aerospace, precision and reliability guide everything we do.
Our Plymouth and Bristol sites are centres of excellence for navigation and control systems, powering world-class innovations like MEMS-based IMUs and TERPROM® terrain navigation systems.
This is your opportunity to join a pioneering engineering team - in a hybrid role based in either Plymouth or Bristol - and take a leading role in the next generation of aerospace technology.
We're looking for a Principal Firmware Engineer ready to take a leading role in shaping the next generation of inertial navigation solutions.
You'll work on high-performance navigation and sensor technologies where precision, reliability, and innovation are critical.
What You Will Do
• Join the Chief Engineers Office where you will
- Take ownership of the Firmware development process Updating/tailoring/maintaining component design and review-related standard work content (activity pages, templates, etc.)
- Develop and/or maintain standard tools or templates.
- Establish and maintain an aspirational 5 yearly vision for continual improvement of the discipline
- Provide governance, chair the system and/or component design reviews
- Assess design maturity and review technical risk
- Accountable for designs to address regulatory and customer specification compliance
- Use experience to identify and apply lessons learned
- Facilitating RCCA activities and corrective action boards within the discipline
- Transitioning lessons learned into applicable process improvements for the discipline
- Conducting discipline health reviews
- Mentoring IPTs on new or redesign programs
- Mentoring engineers within discipline
- Leading the discipline-specific process and tools training activities
- Serving as the organizational champion of the Community of Practice
- Lead full lifecycle FPGA work packages and technical activities across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring delivery to quality, schedule, and performance requirements.
- Support the management and maintenance of software tools used by the digital design team.
- Effectively communicate FPGA design and process decisions to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary experts in systems, software, and mechanical design to bring complex projects to life.
- Solve complex technical challenges, considering impact across multiple engineering disciplines through detailed analysis and collaboration.
- Be accountable for the overall delivered quality of our FPGA developments, including peer reviewing and approval.
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of FPGA design standards, engineering processes, and best practices.
- Provide technical coaching and guidance to engineers across the digital design team, supporting capability development and knowledge sharing.
- What You Must Have
- A minimum 2:1 Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Electronics Engineering or a related field.
- Strong VHDL experience — including architecture, coding, simulation, and test benching (Microchip, Xilinx, So C).
- Proven experience leading FPGA development activities within complex engineering programmes.
- Demonstrated ability to influence technical decisions, engineering standards, and development practices.
- Proven experience of working to formal design standards such as DO-254.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Vision for continuous improvement and forward-thinking approach.
Skills & Experience We Value
- Familiarity with Verilog/System Verilog, OSVVM, UVM or UVVM.
- Experience in MEMS sensors, airborne electronics, or ASIC development.
- Cross-disciplinary awareness (systems, software, mechanical).
- Experience with E-CAD tools for schematic capture, PCB layout, and simulation (e. g. Xpedition, Hyper Lynx, AMS).
- What We Can Offer You
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Flexible and hybrid working options.
- Excellent 2:1 matched pension contribution (up to 10%).
- Private health insurance and life assurance.
- 25 days annual leave plus the ability to buy or sell up to 5 more.
- Early finish on Fridays.
- Career development, mentorship, and world-class training opportunities.
• And much more!
Are You Up for the Challenge?
If you're ready to make an impact in a company where innovation, precision, and purpose come together, join our mission today.
Note: The successful candidate must hold an active or be willing and eligible to obtain SC level security clearance.
Hybrid: Employees who are working in Hybrid roles will work regularly both onsite and offsite. Ratio of time working onsite will be determined in partnership with your leader.
RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment.
All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Privacy Policy and Terms
Click on this link to read the Policy and Terms
Principal Firmware Engineer employer: RTX
RTX is an exceptional employer that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture in the heart of Andover, UK. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, comprehensive growth opportunities, and a supportive environment that fosters professional development in the aerospace and defense sector. Join us to be part of a team that not only drives financial excellence but also contributes to cutting-edge advancements in technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Firmware Engineer
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with RTX for a Principal Firmware Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Firmware Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at RTX, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At RTX, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at RTX
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with RTX.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with RTX. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like RTX love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
