Lead Firmware Engineer

FPGA Engineer - Precision Guidance - Basildon - Defence/AerospaceWe are seeking a skilled FPGA Engineer to join a multi-disciplinary team working in the Precision Guidance domain for advanced airborne electro-optics subsystems.In this broad firmware role, you'll be involved across the product lifecycle - from initial concept through to early life production - working with the latest high-speed FPGAs and System-on-Chips (SoCs) to help shape next-generation products.Location: BasildonRole Type: Initial 6 months Contract (Inside of scope)Discipline: FPGA / Firmware Engineering - Airborne Electro-OpticsRole Overview - What You'll DoCapture and manage firmware requirementsFPGA design and analysis for complex airborne electro-optics subsystemsProduce high-quality documentation to support other engineers and design reviewsDevelop FPGA test and FPGA integration plansPerform system integration alongside PCB designers and embedded software engineersSupport all firmware designs through a

structured firmware design process (training provided)Modify and enhance existing firmware designs and associated test benchesInteract with partner organisations, sub-contractors and potential customers within a broader sensor product development environmentEssential Skills & ExperienceHands-on experience with FPGA technologies from one or more of: Xilinx, Microsemi (Actel), Lattice, and associated toolchainsStrong verification skills using VHDL and/or SystemVerilog / UVMAbility to specify complex timing and area constraints for efficient place and routeCapability to analyse system-level requirements and derive detailed firmware requirementsA methodical approach to the full firmware design lifecycle, working to a structured process such as RTCA DO-254 or similarExperience debugging firmware and supporting verification and integration at hardware and system level alongside Software and Hardware EngineersAbility to make sound technical decisions and mitigate technical risk in firmware activitiesStrong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to work across multiple engineering disciplinesDesirable:Experience with safety-related firmware to IEC 61508Familiarity with Siemens EDA tools (e.g. HDL Designer, ModelSim/Questa)Awareness of Safety, Security and other legislative constraintsEngineering experience with electro-optic systems (e.g. cameras, thermal imagers, image processing systems/algorithms)Experience mentoring more junior engineersThis is an excellent opportunity to work on cutting-edge precision guidance and electro-optic technologies within a high-calibre engineering environment.If you have strong FPGA/firmware experience and are looking for your next role in Basildon, please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.