Field-Programmable Gate Arrays Engineer in Devon, Plymouth

Our client, a leading Aerospace company, are looking for a Lead FPGA Engineer to join the team on an initial 6-month contract. 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 Lead FPGA Engineer ready to take a leading role in shaping the next generation of aerospace systems. You’ll work on high performance navigation and sensor technologies where precision, reliability, and innovation are critical.

Precision and reliability guide everything we do. Our Bristol and Plymouth sites are centres of excellence for navigation and control systems, powering world-class innovations like MEMS-based IMUs and TERPROM® terrain navigation systems.

What You Will Do:

• Lead full lifecycle firmware development on new and existing products and test equipment.
• Work closely with the Electronics Discipline Chief to drive continuous improvement in the firmware development process.
• Support the management and maintenance of software tools used by the digital design team.
• Effectively communicate firmware 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.
• Participate in peer reviews for firmware.
• Share your expertise, mentor colleagues, and champion continuous improvement across the digital design team.

What You’ll Learn:

• Develop deep expertise in high performance IMU and MEMS sensor design for real world aerospace applications.
• Gain hands-on experience with formal aerospace development processes.
• Work directly with cutting-edge FPGA and mixed-signal technologies in live aerospace systems.
• Thrive in a high-performing, collaborative engineering environment where precision meets innovation.
• Opportunity to develop broader electronics skills alongside digital design work.

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, SoC).
• 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/SystemVerilog, 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, HyperLynx, AMS).

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. Please note that access to certain projects may be restricted based on nationality.

Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace!

Diversity Statement: Diversity drives innovation, inclusion drives success. We believe a multitude of approaches and ideas enable us to deliver the best results for our workforce, workplace, and customers. We are committed to fostering a culture where all employees can share their passions and ideas so we can tackle the toughest challenges in our industry and pave new paths to limitless possibilities.