The Opportunity

Do you want to work on real-time projects alongside leading scientists and engineers within a globally renowned company? Leonardo is an international leader in electronic and information technologies for defence systems, aerospace, data, infrastructures, land security and protection, and sustainable ’smart’ solutions. 

Leonardo Southampton has a strong heritage in Infrared Detectors since the 1950s. Designed and built in the UK, Leonardo’s Detectors and thermal imaging sensors play a crucial role in providing visibility and situational awareness, no matter what the environmental conditions.

Due to significant demand for product development in this area, we are looking for a FPGA Engineer to contribute to the development of products and their associated test solutions.

This role presents an excellent opportunity for an ambitious individual to develop and grow their skills and knowledge within a thriving organisation.

This hiring manager is committed to the development of well-rounded Engineers and will ensure that you have all the necessary training in order to thrive. Therefore, this role would suit either an early careers engineer looking to further enhance their skills in an interesting and technically challenging industry, or a more experienced engineer looking to expand their skillset and work on high performance products.

What you will do

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

What we are looking for

Desirable Skills, Qualifications & Knowledge

Degree in Electronics Engineering (or related discipline) Using FPGA technologies especially from Xilinx, Intel, Microsemi (Actel) or Lattice and their design tools Advanced verification techniques using either VHDL or System Verilog / UVM Specifying complex timing and area constraints for efficient FPGA place and route Ability to analyse system level requirements and derive detailed Firmware requirements A methodical approach to the full firmware design lifecycle, working to a structured firmware process De-bugging firmware designs and supporting verification and integration at hardware and system level alongside Software and Hardware Engineers Developing software to facilitate FPGA testing and integration Making technical decisions and mitigating technical risk for Firmware design activities Ability to communicate effectively across different disciplines both verbally and in written form Familiarity with Siemens EDA FPGA development tools including HDL Designer and ModelSim / Questa is an advantage. An interest in developing skills in other aspects of Hardware design and Test Engineering

It would be nice if you had

Knowledge of device drivers and communication protocols (e.g. I2C, SPI, USB, Camera Link). An appreciation of digitisation and sampling of analogue circuits from a timing and fidelity perspective Experience of porting intellectual property (IP) functions and subsystems into an FPGA

You must be capable of achieving full SC security clearance

For more information and guidance please visit:

Life at Leonardo

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us Company funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance) Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution) Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers) Lifestyle: Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera Referral Incentive: You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member Bonus: Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below