FPGA Engineer

Cambridge | £70,000-£75,000

We're partnered with an engineering consultancy working on advanced electronics systems used in the Defence, Space, Security and Industrial sectors. This role joins an established FPGA team delivering project-based work.

What you'll work on

You'll develop FPGA solutions for customer-led programmes, with a strong emphasis on DSP-heavy implementations.

Typical work includes:

Translating system-level requirements into FPGA architectures
Writing and reviewing HDL (primarily AMD/Xilinx, Vivado toolchain)
DSP implementation within FPGA (filtering, modulation, detection, signal conditioning)
Developing and refining Plextek IP and internal FPGA processes
Supporting proposal writing, technical scoping, and estimates
Working on radar, communications, video, and sensing systems
Collaboration with hardware, software, RF, and systems engineers
Most development targets AMD (Xilinx) devices, often Zynq SoCs.
What matters most

Depth of DSP knowledge within FPGA is the main selection factor. Candidates without hands-on DSP implementation experience will not progress.

Background that fits

Essential

Strong FPGA development experience (HDL + simulation/test)
Proven DSP implementation within FPGA
Ability to break down system requirements into workable technical solutions
Eligibility for UK Eyes / SC clearance
Beneficial

Experience in radar, communications, video, or RF systems
Consultancy or customer-facing engineering experience
Comfort contributing to proposals and early-stage technical discussions
Team & environment

Join a multidisciplinary consultancy team
Work spans multiple programmes, not a single product
Scope to influence technical direction, IP, and process
Opportunity to mentor junior engineers
Location & package

Based just south of Cambridge, with road and rail access
£70,000-£75,000
Career progression shaped by project exposure rather than fixed ladders
Support for professional development
Social and collaborative engineering culture
Clearance
UK Eyes eligibility required
SC clearance acceptable (can be held or obtained)