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# Principal Firmware (FPGA) Engineer

- **Company:** Thales Group
- **Location:** Crawley, UK
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Logic Synthesis of Circuits, Ethernet, Firmware, Formal Verification, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Hardware Description Language, Linux System Administration, MATLAB, PCI Express, Software Engineering, Software Requirements Analysis, System on a Chip, SystemVerilog, Systems Integration, Verilog, VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL), Software Verification, ModelSim, SC Clearance
- **Published:** August 22, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.jobs.service.gov.uk/jobs/6a878e8e2f3270d0f51a7948/apply

## About the Role

Are you an experienced FPGA or firmware engineer looking to work on cutting-edge technology in defence, aerospace, and security?

Do you want to be part of a highly skilled team designing systems that make the world safer?, * Strong experience developing firmware for FPGA-based systems

 * Expertise in VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog
 * Experience with simulation and verification tools (e.g. ModelSim, QuestaSim)
 * Solid understanding of digital design and hardware/software integration
 * Ability to contribute to or lead design and architecture activities
 * Strong communication skills and experience working in multidisciplinary teams
 * Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance
Nice to have:

 * Experience in defence, aerospace, or other safety-critical industries
 * Knowledge of protocols such as PCIe, Ethernet, AXI
 * Experience with verification methodologies (e.g. OSVVM, UVVM)
 * Familiarity with tools such as MATLAB, DOORS, or Linux environments
 * Experience mentoring junior engineers or leading small teams

## Description

As a Principal Firmware Engineer, you'll take ownership of FPGA-based design and development, working closely with multidisciplinary teams across systems, hardware, and software engineering. You'll contribute across the full development lifecycle, from requirements through to validation, helping ensure high-quality, reliable products.

In this role, you will:

 * Design and develop firmware using Hardware Description Languages (VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog)
 * Lead or contribute to firmware architecture and design decisions
 * Verify and validate firmware using simulation and testbench environments
 * Work closely with systems, hardware, and software engineers to deliver integrated solutions
 * Support requirements definition, design reviews, and technical decision-making
 * Contribute to continuous improvement of firmware processes (automation, documentation, scripting)
 * Use industry-standard tools for FPGA and system-on-chip development
 * Support integration activities, including occasional work at customer or test sites
 * Deliver work to agreed time, cost, and quality standards
We're looking for a collaborative and proactive engineer who enjoys solving complex problems and can operate with a high level of autonomy.
You'll bring


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