Lead Firmware Engineer

An opportunity has arisen within Leonardo Edinburgh for a Lead Firmware Engineer to work on the Global Combat Air System Programme (GCAP). Announced by the Prime Minister in December 2022, GCAP will deliver Tempest, the next generation fighter aircraft intended to replace the Royal Air Force Typhoon fleet from 2035.

What you’ll do as a Lead Firmware Engineer:

As a Lead Firmware Engineer, you will work with the support of experts in their field, using world‑class facilities to deliver firmware for complex digital systems that meet challenging future customer requirements. Your role may even take you across the UK or abroad for technical reviews. You will use or develop team‑leading experience to support the delivery of work from several engineers and will enhance processes and ways of working across UK‑wide FPGA/firmware delivery teams.

What you really must have:

• Ability to analyse system‑level requirements and capture/derive detailed firmware requirements.
• Ability to prepare documentation for other engineers and design reviews.
• Experience in firmware design techniques and tools, from VHDL to place‑and‑route.
• Experience FPGA architectures such as system‑on‑chip (e.g. Xilinx Versal).
• Experience in specifying timing and area constraints for efficient FPGA place and route.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience of working in mixed discipline teams.
• Degree (BSc, BEng, MEng, MSc, PhD) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or similar engineering/science course.
• Due to the nature of our work, any candidate must have 5 years UK residency and be capable of achieving full SC security clearance.

It would be desirable if you had:

• Experience of auto‑generated code using model‑driven engineering with MATLAB and Simulink tools.
• Experience of design tools such as Verilog, SystemVerilog and UVM.
• Experience within the defence industry.

What we need from you:

Personal attributes and values are as important to us as technical ability. We are looking for engineers with a willingness to learn, progress and develop through our devoted technical career path. If you are passionate in what you do and can deliver a pragmatic approach to problem solving, we would like to hear from you.

Security Clearance

In order to apply for this opportunity you must be eligible for UK security clearance. Normally this is to the level of Security Check (SC) for our business, which includes having a minimum of 5 years permanent residency in the UK. For more information and guidance please visit government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Benefits

• 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 15% 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.

Primary Location: GB – Edinburgh

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid