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# Principal Firmware Engineer

- **Company:** Collins Aerospace
- **Location:** Plymouth, UK
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Logic Synthesis of Circuits, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Inertial Navigation Systems, Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Software Maintenance, Schematic Capture, SystemVerilog, Verilog, VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL), Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Fpga Hardware, Pcb Layout
- **Published:** August 9, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.co.uk/job/gba638d2178305169185314a1cffe6beb5/eaa

## About the Role

* A minimum 2:1 Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Electronics Engineering or a related field.
 * Strong VHDL experience - including architecture, coding, simulation, and test benching (Microchip, Xilinx, SoC).
 * Proven experience leading FPGA development activities within complex engineering programmes.
 * Demonstrated ability to influence technical decisions, engineering standards, and development practices.
 * Proven experience of working to formal design standards such as DO-254.
 * Excellent communication skills.
 * Vision for continuous improvement and forward-thinking approach.

Skills & Experience We Value

 * Familiarity with Verilog/SystemVerilog, OSVVM, UVM or UVVM.
 * Experience in MEMS sensors, airborne electronics, or ASIC development.
 * Cross-disciplinary awareness (systems, software, mechanical).
 * Experience with E-CAD tools for schematic capture, PCB layout, and simulation (e.g. Xpedition, HyperLynx, AMS).

## Description

We're looking for a Principal Firmware Engineer ready to take a leading role in shaping the next generation of inertial navigation solutions. You'll work on high-performance navigation and sensor technologies where precision, reliability, and innovation are critical.
What You Will Do

 * Join the Chief Engineers Office where you will:

 * Take ownership of the Firmware development process Updating/tailoring/maintaining component design and review-related standard work content (activity pages, templates, etc.)
 * Develop and/or maintain standard tools or templates.
 * Establish and maintain an aspirational 5 yearly vision for continual improvement of the discipline
 * Provide governance, chair the system and/or component design reviews
 * Assess design maturity and review technical risk
 * Accountable for designs to address regulatory and customer specification compliance
 * Use experience to identify and apply lessons learned
 * Facilitating RCCA activities and corrective action boards within the discipline
 * Transitioning lessons learned into applicable process improvements for the discipline
 * Conducting discipline health reviews
 * Mentoring IPTs on new or redesign programs
 * Mentoring engineers within discipline
 * Leading the discipline-specific process and tools training activities
 * Serving as the organizational champion of the Community of Practice
 * Lead full lifecycle FPGA work packages and technical activities across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring delivery to quality, schedule, and performance requirements.
 * Support the management and maintenance of software tools used by the digital design team.
 * Effectively communicate FPGA design and process decisions to both technical and non-technical audiences.
 * Collaborate with multidisciplinary experts in systems, software, and mechanical design to bring complex projects to life.
 * Solve complex technical challenges, considering impact across multiple engineering disciplines through detailed analysis and collaboration.
 * Be accountable for the overall delivered quality of our FPGA developments, including peer reviewing and approval.
 * Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of FPGA design standards, engineering processes, and best practices.
 * Provide technical coaching and guidance to engineers across the digital design team, supporting capability development and knowledge sharing.


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