Firmware Engineer- Crawley, Reading or Leeds

About The Role

FDM is a global business and technology consultancy seeking a Firmware (FPGA) Engineer to work for our client within the Defence, Aerospace and Transportation sector. This is initially a contract length to be confirmed, with very good prospects to extend, and will be a hybrid role based in Crawley, Reading or Leeds.

Our client is seeking an experienced Firmware (FPGA) Engineer to join a team delivering firmware for a wide range of defence-related products. The role will involve architecture, requirements specification, design, verification and validation, working closely with systems, software and hardware engineering teams to develop electronic systems using modern FPGA and system-on-chip technologies.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a firmware engineering team to deliver firmware projects to agreed time, cost and quality expectations.
• Design firmware using hardware description languages, including VHDL, Verilog or SystemVerilog.
• Verify firmware using hardware verification languages, test benches and structured verification approaches.
• Work closely with systems, software and hardware engineers to develop and integrate electronic systems.
• Support architecture, requirements, design, validation and documentation activity across the firmware lifecycle.
• Contribute to firmware process improvements, including documentation, scripting, reporting and process automation.

About You

• Demonstrable firmware engineering experience within defence, transportation, aerospace or another complex engineering environment.
• A relevant degree such as BEng, MEng, EngD or PhD in electronics, supported by 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience with firmware design, architecture, verification and validation across structured engineering processes.
• Strong knowledge of VHDL and either Verilog or SystemVerilog, with experience using vendor-specific FPGA development tools.
• Experience with verification methods and tools such as SystemVerilog, C++, advanced VHDL verification, OSVVM or UVVM would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of tools and technologies such as IBM Rational DOORS, Mentor Graphics ModelSim or QuestaSim, PCIe, Ethernet, serial communications and AXI4 would be useful.
• Experience with Linux development environments, MATLAB, image processing techniques or algorithm development would be advantageous.
• Able to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, communicate clearly and manage your own workload against agreed objectives.
• Candidates must have or be eligible to obtain Security Clearance due to the nature of the projects.

About Us

FDM is an award-winning global leader in tech and business talent solutions, backed by more than 35 years of industry experience. We have centres across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, and a global workforce of over 2500 employees.

FDM has shown exponential growth throughout the years, firmly establishing itself as an award-winning employer, currently listed on the FTSE4Good Index and as a 2026 Financial Times UK ‘Best Employer’.

Diversity and Inclusion

FDM Group is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, provincial or local laws.

Why join us

• Career coaching, mentoring and access to upskilling throughout your entire FDM career
• Assignments with global companies and opportunities to work abroad
• Opportunity to re-skill and up-skill into new areas, develop non-linear career paths and build a skillset within your field
• Annual leave and work-place pension