What are the key skills for an FPGA Engineer?

Key skills include proficiency in HDLs (VHDL, Verilog), strong problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of digital logic and computer architecture.

What industries hire FPGA Engineers?

FPGA Engineers are in demand in industries such as telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, defence, and consumer electronics.

What is the typical career progression for an FPGA Engineer?

The typical career progression starts as a Junior FPGA Engineer, advances to FPGA Engineer, then Senior FPGA Engineer, and finally Principal FPGA Engineer.

What are the common tools used by FPGA Engineers?

Common tools include FPGA development software like Xilinx Vivado and Altera Quartus, as well as simulation tools like ModelSim and Cadence.

What is the salary range for FPGA Engineers?

For specific salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page, which is updated with the latest data from live job listings.

FPGA Engineer Jobs

Engineers who design and optimise the logic and functionality of FPGAs. A critical role in the semiconductor industry, bridging hardware and software.

Open roles

Salary range

£43k – £100k

Hiring companies

View 40 live roles → Get an alert

FPGA Engineers play a vital role in the semiconductor industry, focusing on the design, development, and optimisation of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). These devices are essential for a wide range of applications, from telecommunications and automotive systems to aerospace and defence. FPGA Engineers work closely with hardware and software teams to create custom logic solutions that meet specific performance and efficiency requirements. They are often found in research-heavy startups, scaleups, and larger consultancies, where their expertise is crucial for developing cutting-edge technology.

What the role does

Inside the role of an FPGA Engineer

A typical week for an FPGA Engineer is a mix of design, simulation, and testing, with a strong focus on collaboration with cross-functional teams.

01

Design and implement logic circuits using HDLs (VHDL, Verilog).
02

Simulate and verify FPGA designs to ensure they meet specifications.
03

Collaborate with hardware and software teams to integrate FPGA solutions.
04

Optimise designs for performance, power consumption, and resource utilisation.
05

Document design processes and test results for future reference.
06

Participate in code reviews and design reviews with peers.

Salary on the board

£43k – £100k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 84 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility: 47% of listings advertise a salary — up from 0% the year before.

By seniority

£k base

Mid

17 jobs

Senior

116

39 jobs

Lead

114

9 jobs

Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 64 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

VHDL

84%

FPGA

81%

SystemVerilog

53%

Verilog

44%

Vivado

30%

DSP

30%

MATLAB

28%

Simulink

27%

Xilinx

25%

RFSoC

22%

Python

19%

Quartus

17%

Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for fpga engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

Level 1

Junior FPGA Engineer

0–2 yrs

Assists in the design and testing of FPGA circuits, working under the guidance of more experienced engineers.
Level 2

FPGA Engineer

2–5 yrs

Takes ownership of FPGA design projects, from initial concept to final testing, and collaborates with cross-functional teams.
Level 3

Senior FPGA Engineer

5–10 yrs

Leads complex FPGA design projects, mentors junior engineers, and contributes to the overall architecture of systems.
Level 4

Principal FPGA Engineer

10+ yrs

Drives innovation in FPGA design, influences company strategy, and acts as a technical authority in the field.

Pathway

How to become a FPGA Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

1

Learn HDLs

Start by mastering Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) like VHDL and Verilog, which are essential for FPGA design.
2

Gain Practical Experience

Work on real-world projects to gain hands-on experience in FPGA design, simulation, and testing.
3

Specialise in a Domain

Choose a specific domain, such as digital signal processing or embedded systems, to deepen your expertise.
4

Lead Projects

Take on leadership roles in FPGA design projects, managing teams and ensuring project success.
5

Influence Strategy

Contribute to the strategic direction of your organisation by providing technical insights and innovation.
6

Mentor and Teach

Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring junior engineers and contributing to the professional community.

Live jobs

40 live roles

See all 40 roles →

FPGA Engineer

Design and implement FPGA-based solutions for high-performance hardware platforms used in cybersecurity, data centres, and advanced computing. Work across the full development lifecycle from prototyping to production, developing RTL, building communication interfaces, and supporting system validation in collaboration with hardware and software teams.

IC Resources Oxford, Eng, United Kingdom

On-site Permanent

FPGA Engineer

This role involves designing, developing, and verifying FPGA firmware for complex, safety-critical systems. You will work within a multidisciplinary team, lead design reviews, and contribute to technical strategy, with a focus on high-reliability solutions and best practices in firmware engineering.

Matchtech Hastings, East Sussex, United Kingdom £70,000 – £75,000 pa

Hybrid Permanent

FPGA Engineer

Design and implement FPGA logic using VHDL for Xilinx Artix-7 FPGAs, focusing on controller boards with embedded interfaces like I²C and SPI. Responsibilities include state machine design, test bench development, hardware validation in the lab with logic analysers and oscilloscopes, and ensuring timing closure. Work spans the full development lifecycle from specification to integration, with strong emphasis on synchronous design, CDC analysis, and version-controlled documentation.

SoCode Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom £75,000 – £90,000 pa

FPGA Engineer

Design and develop FPGA-based systems and subsystems with a focus on RF signal processing in a defence environment. Work independently while mentoring junior engineers and debugging complex embedded systems integrating hardware, software, and firmware. Engage in high-speed interface integration and rigorous verification using automated test benches.

YT Technologies Kington, Herefordshire, Herefordshire, United Kingdom £75,000 – £95,000 pa

Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required

FPGA Engineer

Design and develop FPGA-based systems across the full lifecycle, with a focus on defence and aerospace applications. Work on-site using VHDL and tools like Xilinx/Altera FPGAs, Modelsim/Questasim, and DxDesigner. Debug and validate complex digital logic in a security-cleared environment.

Sapien Basildon, Essex, United Kingdom £60 – £74 ph

On-site Contract Clearance Required

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer – Permanent – Full Time (Mostly Onsite)Salary: £42,000 - £52,000 DOELocation: Lincoln - Read on if you’re not localBenefits include: Relocation support is available.• 25 days annual leave (inclusive of December shutdown) • Buy or sell up to...

MASS North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom £42,500 – £52,500 pa

FPGA Engineer

Design and verify VHDL-based FPGA solutions for complex aerospace and defence systems, integrating with hardware and software teams. Develop robust designs using Mentor Graphics and FPGA vendor tools, with responsibility for requirements analysis, timing constraints, and system-level debugging. Work within safety-critical environments, potentially involving DO-254 standards and embedded processor cores in FPGAs.

Copello United Kingdom

Hybrid Contract Clearance Required

FPGA Engineer

We are seeking an experienced FPGA Engineer to join a collaborative engineering team developing advanced electronic systems used in high-performance, security-focused environments.This role offers the opportunity to work on technically challenging programmes where FPGAs play a central role, supporting applications...

Holt Executive Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7JT, United Kingdom

See all 40 roles →

Top hirers

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Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

FAQs

Common questions

Key skills include proficiency in HDLs (VHDL, Verilog), strong problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of digital logic and computer architecture.
FPGA Engineers are in demand in industries such as telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, defence, and consumer electronics.
The typical career progression starts as a Junior FPGA Engineer, advances to FPGA Engineer, then Senior FPGA Engineer, and finally Principal FPGA Engineer.
Common tools include FPGA development software like Xilinx Vivado and Altera Quartus, as well as simulation tools like ModelSim and Cadence.
For specific salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page, which is updated with the latest data from live job listings.

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FPGA Engineer Jobs

Inside the role of an FPGA Engineer

£43k – £100k

What hiring managers ask for

From Junior to Principal

Junior FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

Senior FPGA Engineer

Principal FPGA Engineer

How to become a FPGA Engineer

Learn HDLs

Gain Practical Experience

Specialise in a Domain

Lead Projects

Influence Strategy

Mentor and Teach

40 live roles

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

Companies hiring fpga engineers

Where this role is hiring

Oxford

Cambridge

Southampton

London

Edinburgh

Cheltenham

Common questions

Hiring fpga engineers?