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# Senior Firmware Engineer (FPGA) - Medical Devices

- **Company:** Alcon Italia S.p.A.
- **Location:** Erlangen, Germany
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Systems Engineering, C++ (Programming Language), Computer Programming, Continuous Integration, Software Debugging, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation, Python (Programming Language), Verification and Validation (Software), SystemVerilog, VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL), Video Editing, Fpga Hardware, Information Technology
- **Published:** July 29, 2026
- **Apply:** https://alcon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/careers_alcon/job/Erlangen-Germany/Senior-Firmware-Engineer--FPGA---m-f-d----Medical-Devices_R-2026-48671-1

## About the Role

* Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
 * 6+ years of FPGA/firmware development experience
 * Fluent English and intermediate German language skills
 * Residence within commuting distance of the Erlangen site or willingness to relocate
 * Strong expertise in FPGA development using VHDL/SystemVerilog and FPGA SoCs (e.g., Xilinx)
 * Experience with hardware-firmware integration, system-level debugging, and laboratory validation environments
 * Programming skills in C/C++ and Python
 * Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments and collaborating with distributed, multi-location engineering teams, * Experience in regulated or safety-critical industries such as medical devices, automotive, or aerospace
 * Familiarity with medical device firmware development lifecycle processes
 * Experience with video/image processing pipelines and high-speed interfaces (e.g., LVDS, CoaXPress)
 * Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing environments, and advanced hardware debugging

## Description

As a Senior Firmware Engineer (FPGA)(m/f/d) supporting our Surgical R&D Engineering Organization, you will contribute to the development of FPGA-based firmware solutions for advanced ophthalmic surgical systems in Erlangen, Germany. You will work closely with hardware, software, and system engineering teams to deliver innovative, high-quality, and regulatory-compliant medical devices that improve patients' vision and quality of life.

In this role, a typical day will include:

 * Developing FPGA firmware architecture, requirements, and technical designs for cutting-edge surgical vision care systems
 * Designing and implementing FPGA firmware using VHDL and/or SystemVerilog, including deterministic and timing-critical functions such as video processing pipelines and control logic
 * Supporting hardware-firmware integration activities and collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure robust system performance
 * Defining and executing verification and validation activities while maintaining coding standards, quality gates, and firmware development best practices
 * Supporting CI/CD workflows, lab validation activities, AI-enabled engineering processes, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring compliance with medical device development standards and lifecycle processes, * Contribute to breakthrough technologies that help surgeons improve patients' vision around the world
 * Work on complex technical challenges in a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment
 * Enjoy professional development opportunities, technical growth, and the chance to influence next-generation medical device innovation


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