Firmware Research Engineer in Reading

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible. Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space.

Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

We have an exciting opportunity in our Research, Technology and Solution Innovation (RTSI) business. The RTSI function is at the centre of Thales UK supporting growth in all of the key market areas, and spearheading activity into future markets identified as growth opportunities. Due to a rapid period of growth we are looking to add a Firmware Research Engineer to the team.

The successful candidate will carry out low-TRL research and development activities for potential future products, in digital firmware, for military communications and spectrum sensing applications.

• Work within a group of other research staff, as well as being self-motivated to work individually, and be flexible to adapt into new research areas and ways of working.
• Development of VHDL firmware
• Integration with hardware
• Integration with software
• Building and evaluating proof-of-concept demonstrators and prototypes
• Software and System Testing

• The ability to listen to customers, interpret their needs, seek clarification and reach agreement, with a view to developing long lasting relationships.
• The ability to present and explain complex technical issues to management, colleagues and customers.
• The willingness and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, whilst taking responsibility for individual tasks.
• The ability to analyse complex technical problems, exercise judgement and offer innovative, practical and compliant solutions in a timely manner.
• The ability to prioritise, manage the workload, be flexible, and work under pressure to demanding timescales.
• The ability and willingness to continue to learn and develop technical skills, assisting others to do likewise where appropriate.
• A balance of creative thinking/problem-solving with good engineering practice.

The successful candidate will have a good level of understanding of VHDL, as well as some of the following skills:

• Firmware architecture
• VHDL Simulation tools (e.g. ModelSim, QuestaSim)
• Digital Signal Processing
• Analogue/Digital hardware design
• Hands-on prototyping (schematic, PCB layout, soldering)
• Electronics hardware testing and fault-finding
• Embedded C and/or C++
• Python or similar scripting language

Whilst we have listed these skills, the successful candidate must be flexible to move to new opportunities as business objectives and workload dictate.

• The ideal applicant will be a recent graduate in a relevant mathematical or relevant engineering discipline, with an inquisitive and technical problem-solving mind.
• The successful candidate will typically have a Bachelors honours degree (minimum 2.1), a Masters degree, or a PhD in a relevant discipline.
• We also expect candidates to be proficient in the use of standard PC-based office tools. We currently use Microsoft tools: Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project & Visio.

Experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Microsemi, Xilinx, and/or Intel/Altera devices and environments
• Communications applications
• Software Defined Radio
• Some experience working with VHDL firmware, whether in the workplace or as self-driven projects.
• Membership of a professional institution and professional engineering registration.

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a sole British National from birth (UKEO) and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance. To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

We’re committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you’ll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, hybrid working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Alongside a competitive base salary, we offer a benefits package, which includes:

• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00pm
• Hybrid working
• Pension Scheme
• 28 days annual leave (Plus Bank Holidays)
• Life Cover
• Progression and Development Opportunities
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Development focused targets and relocation support can be provided if required along with a variety of learning, development and career enhancement opportunities.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format.