FPGA Design Engineers

Job Description

Engineer: £38k - £53k

Senior: £45k - £61k

Principal: £54k - £71k

Lead: £60k - £84k

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment.

Leonardo offers an additional allowances for some roles – for more information please contact

Would you like to deliver the complex Firmware that forms part of our self-protection systems installed on fast jet, UAV, land and naval platforms? Do you have experience leading Firmware teams or delivering highly complex embedded solutions

Leonardo is looking for Lead and Principal FPGA/Firmware Engineers to join our growing Luton or Bristol based teams.

As an experienced FPGA/Firmware engineer you will work with experts in their field, using world-class facilities to deliver Firmware for complex digital systems that meet challenging future customer requirements.

Your role may even take you across the UK or abroad for technical reviews. You will use or develop team leading experience to support the delivery of work from several engineers. Your expertise will also be key to enhance processes and ways of working across UK wide FPGA/Firmware delivery teams

• Firmware requirements capture and management;
• FPGA design and analysis;
• Production of documentation for other engineers and evidence for design reviews;
• Development of FPGA test and FPGA integration plans;
• Perform system integration work with PCB designers
• Support all firmware designs through the company firmware process – training will be given
• Modification of existing firmware designs and test benches

• An HNC/HND or Undergraduate Degree (Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, AI, Games Programming, Physics, or Applied Physics) or you may just have lots of skills and experience gained through your hard work.
• Design tools such as Xilinx, TCL, Verilog, System Verilog and UVM
• FPGA architectures such as Xilinx
  7. Xilinx Ultra Scale;
  Intel (Altera) or Microsemi (Actel).
• Fast interfaces such as PCIe, Ethernet, and JESD is also required.
• Auto-generated code using model driven engineering using Matlab and Simulink tools
• Derivation of detailed FPGA/Firmware requirements and architecture from system requirements
• A structured approach to FPGA/firmware design (RTCA DO-254 or similar)
• Cryptography and anti-tamper techniques
• Artificial Intelligence including machine learning and genetic algorithms
• Electronics test methods and equipment
• Good verbal and written communication skills

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit:

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge:
  Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to…