Principal FPGA Design Engineer

Job Title:

Principal FPGA Design Engineer (Contract)

Location:

UK (Hybrid – with occasional on‑site requirements)

Salary: TBD

Shift Type:
Day Shift, Monday to Friday

Benefits:
Long‑term programme, high‑impact technical role, opportunity to influence system architecture, flexible working where project permits

We are supporting a high‑technology systems manufacturer operating in regulated and mission‑critical environments, seeking an experienced Principal FPGA Design Engineer (Contract) to lead complex FPGA developments across multiple programmes.

This is a senior, hands‑on technical role focused on translating top‑level system requirements into robust FPGA architectures, delivering verified designs to hardware, and providing technical leadership across firmware teams.

• Decompose system and product requirements into FPGA architectures and detailed design specifications
• Lead FPGA developments from concept through to verified hardware implementation
• Design, implement and debug complex VHDL‑based FPGA solutions
• Develop test benches, vectors and verification strategies
• Perform system‑level design and documentation to support downstream implementation
• Take ownership of multiple work packages, including scope, estimates and delivery tracking
• Support firmware releases, configuration control and technical documentation
• Provide technical mentoring, design reviews and guidance to other engineers
• Act as technical liaison with internal stakeholders, suppliers and customers
• Support hardware validation using lab equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, signal generators, etc.)

• 10+ years' FPGA design experience in complex, multi‑FPGA systems
• Strong background in VHDL design and verification
• Proven ability to translate high-level system requirements into implementable FPGA solutions
• Experience delivering designs to schedule within structured development environments
• Background in Radar systems, DSP or closely related high‑speed signal processing applications
• Comfortable operating at system, firmware and hardware interface level
• Excellent technical documentation and communication skills

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Electronics, Engineering or a closely related discipline

• Occasional UK travel may be required, sometimes at short notice
• Suitable for contractors seeking long‑term, technically challenging programmes with genuine architectural ownership
• Pertemps Engineering Division

If you are an experienced FPGA contractor looking for your next senior‑level assignment, please apply with your CV or contact the Pertemps Engineering Division on (phone number removed) for a confidential discussion. We specialise in placing high‑level engineering contractors into complex manufacturing and engineering environments across the UK.