At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and verify cutting-edge firmware for advanced defence technologies.
- Company: Join Thales, a global leader in technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private healthcare, and extensive career development opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunities for international career growth and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while growing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and experience in FPGA/Digital Hardware engineering.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Crawley, Reading or Bristol - Hybrid
Thales Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) UK is a principal supplier of UAS, EW and Radar equipment to the UK armed forces, as well as an exporter of these capabilities worldwide.
ISR is a highly complex product development environment, focusing on delivering cutting edge products including:
- Digital Radar Electronic Support Measures (RESM) that provides situational awareness and identification of threats even in busy electronic transmission environments
- Radar Electronic Countermeasures (RECM) that can protect assets by denying tactical advantage and distracting incoming threats.
We’re recruiting for Architects & Principal Level FPGA Engineers and Firmware Engineers as part of a sustained expansion of the ISR team due to key programme awards in Electronic Warfare. We are looking for successful candidates to have demonstrable experience of FPGA/Digital Hardware engineering within safety critical environment; defence experience is advantageous but not an essential requirement. You will ideally have experience interfacing with external customers as well as internal stakeholders.
The key responsibilities will include:
- Work as part of firmware teams to deliver firmware projects to agreed time, cost and quality
- Verify firmware using Hardware Verification Languages or Hardware Description languages
- Design firmware using Hardware Description Languages
- Enhancement of firmware related processes (documenting, scripting, reporting, process automation)
- Working closely with multi-disciplinary teams
Desired knowledge, qualifications and experience:
- Strong communications, verbally and in writing
- A relevant degree (BEng, MEng, EngD, PhD) and a membership or fellowship of a professional engineering body preferably with or working towards chartered status.
- Experience Leading Firmware design/architecture
- Verification Test bench architecture with System Verilog or C++
- Verification Methodology: Advanced VHDL verification or OSVVM/UVVM
- Requirements Management: IBM Rationale DOORS
- Simulation of designs using simulator tool: Mentor Graphics Modelsim / Questasim
- Digital electronic design in hardware development languages: VHDL and either Verilog or System Verilog
- Implementation of complex designs using any vendor specific development tools
- Technologies: PCIe, Ethernet, Serial Comms, AXI4
- Object Orientated design Techniques
- Image processing techniques and algorithms
- Algorithm development using development tool: MatLab
Security Clearance Statement: This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held; however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance.
Your career at Thales UK: Future opportunities will allow you to discover other domains or sites. You will be able to evolve and grow your competencies in different areas:
- Room and attention to personal development
- Build your talents in another domain of Thales Group, discovering new products, new customers, new country or go to a more complex Solution
- Choose between a technical expertise or a leadership path
- Build an international career within a leading Engineering Group
What we can offer: We are 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.
Our packages will include significant bonus, a strong pension contribution, private healthcare, development focused targets and relocation support can be provided if required along with a variety of learning, development and career enhancement opportunities. Further support can be provided towards academic and membership attainments.
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities.
Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!
Principal FPGA Engineer in Crawley employer: Thales
Thales is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the cutting-edge fields of defence and digital security. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to market-leading training, mentorship from industry experts, and opportunities for career advancement across diverse domains within a global organisation. Located in Reading, you can enjoy a competitive benefits package, including private healthcare, generous pension contributions, and a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal FPGA Engineer in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Thales or in the FPGA field on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your technical skills and be ready to discuss your past projects. We want to see how you think and solve problems, so practice explaining your thought process.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for technology! During interviews, share your excitement about the latest trends in FPGA engineering and how they relate to Thales' work. It’ll make you stand out as a candidate who’s genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Thales team!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal FPGA Engineer in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal FPGA Engineer role. Highlight your experience with FPGA/Digital Hardware engineering and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention any experience interfacing with customers or working in safety-critical environments.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Be sure to include specific technical skills that match the job description, like your experience with VHDL, System Verilog, or any relevant simulation tools. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their expertise clearly!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Thales!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales
✨Know Your FPGA Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of FPGA and digital hardware engineering. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Hardware Description Languages like VHDL and System Verilog, as well as any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts but can also apply them in a practical setting.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves interfacing with both external customers and internal teams, it's crucial to demonstrate your strong communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex technical information in the past, whether through presentations, reports, or team collaborations.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions related to firmware design and verification methodologies. Brush up on your knowledge of verification test bench architecture and be ready to discuss your experience with tools like Mentor Graphics Modelsim. Practising common interview questions in this area can help you feel more confident.
✨Understand Thales' Mission and Values
Familiarise yourself with Thales' commitment to security and innovation. Understanding their mission will allow you to align your answers with their values during the interview. Think about how your skills and experiences can contribute to their goals, especially in areas like defence and aerospace.
