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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
36
Salary range
£40k – £140k
Hiring companies
23
View 36 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

A typical day for a 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.

  1. 01
    Design and implement logic circuits using HDLs (VHDL, Verilog).
  2. 02
    Simulate and verify FPGA designs to ensure they meet specifications.
  3. 03
    Collaborate with hardware and software teams to integrate FPGA solutions.
  4. 04
    Optimise designs for performance, power consumption, and resource utilisation.
  5. 05
    Document design processes and test results for future reference.
  6. 06
    Participate in code reviews and design reviews with peers.
Salary on the board

£40k – £140k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 18 priced live listings on the board. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Mid
40
80
3 jobs
Senior
40
140
9 jobs
Lead
70
130
3 jobs
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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Level 3

    Senior FPGA Engineer

    5–10 yrs

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

  4. 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. 1

    Learn HDLs

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

  2. 2

    Gain Practical Experience

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

  3. 3

    Specialise in a Domain

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

  4. 4

    Lead Projects

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

  5. 5

    Influence Strategy

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

  6. 6

    Mentor and Teach

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

Live jobs

36 live roles

See all 36 →

FPGA Design Engineer

The role involves working on all phases of FPGA design and verification for complex projects, including advanced signal processing systems, core embedded processing, and safety-critical systems. Responsibilities include generating FPGA architectures, verifying implementations, and working with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-standard designs.

Tatton Recruitment Filton, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom £90 ph
Hybrid Contract

FPGA Design Engineer

This role involves working on complex FPGA projects, from advanced signal processing systems to safety-critical systems. Responsibilities include designing and verifying FPGA architectures, using VHDL and SystemVerilog, and working with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-standard projects.

Tatton Recruitment Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom £90 ph
Hybrid Contract
ARM logo

FPGA Design Engineer

As an FPGA Design Engineer, you will work on generating complex FPGA architectures and design implementations using VHDL, Simulink, and other tools. You will verify FPGA designs, develop low-level software, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver projects in the Defence and Aerospace sector.

ARM Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom £70 – £90 ph
On-site Contract Clearance Required

FPGA Design Engineer

The role involves working on complex FPGA projects, from advanced signal processing and core embedded systems to safety and security critical systems. Responsibilities include designing and verifying FPGA architectures, using VHDL and SystemVerilog, configuring and documenting designs, and working in a multidisciplinary team.

Akkodis Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom £40,000 – £60,000 pa
On-site Contract
Langham Recruitment logo

FPGA Engineer

The Senior FPGA Engineer will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to define FPGA microarchitecture, implement RTL designs, and develop verification plans for high-speed interfaces in AI/ML and high-performance computing environments. The role involves working on cutting-edge technologies and contributing to the development of next-generation networking platforms.

Langham Recruitment Bunhill, London, United Kingdom £115,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

FPGA Engineer

As an FPGA Engineer, you will develop high-speed network interfaces between xPUs and proprietary networks, focusing on microarchitecture definition, RTL implementation, and testing. You will work iteratively through prototypes to deliver production-grade solutions, prepare technical documentation, and collaborate with software teams. This role involves cutting-edge FPGA design for GPU/CPU interfacing and networking at 100Gbps and above, using advanced tools and technologies.

Advanced Technical Recruitment London, United Kingdom £50,000 – £100,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Flexible

Senior FPGA Engineer

This role involves developing high-speed interfaces for next-generation networking systems, working closely with cross-functional teams to define microarchitecture, perform RTL design, and conduct verification. The position requires strong FPGA design experience, proficiency with high-speed networking protocols, and familiarity with FPGA tools and scripting languages.

Platform Recruitment Farringdon, Greater London, London, EC1M 4BJ, United Kingdom £100,000 – £120,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Senior FPGA Engineer

As a Senior FPGA Engineer, you will design and implement high-performance FPGA architectures using Xilinx/AMD RFSoC platforms, focusing on real-time signal processing and system integration. You will lead by example, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to engineering best practices and system architecture discussions.

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions Bristol, Bristol (county), United Kingdom £100,000 – £140,000 pa
On-site Permanent Clearance Required

Relocating FPGA Engineers

As an FPGA Engineer, you will contribute to the development of advanced FPGA platforms, including image and radio signal processing systems, embedded processing, and safety-critical platforms. You will be involved in the entire FPGA lifecycle, from requirements to validated design, using the latest technologies from leading vendors.

Matchtech United Kingdom £40,000 – £60,000 pa
On-site Permanent Flexible

Senior FPGA Engineer

Senior FPGA Engineer with advanced knowledge of Xilinx FPGA devices and proficiency in VHDL will work across the full FPGA development lifecycle for an established Technology Company offering Hybrid working, a generous salary and great benefits package.The successful Senior FPGA...

Technical Futures Ltd Berkshire, United Kingdom £40,000 – £60,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Lead FPGA engineer

Hexwired are recruiting for a specialised company building highly sophisticated cutting edge software-defined radio platforms, Now seeking a lead FPGA/ DSP engineer to help develop and debug next-generation wireless devices.The company are expanding to meet the needs of their clients...

Hexwired Recruitment Limited Royston, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom £90,000 – £130,000 pa
On-site Permanent

Senior FPGA Engineer | Cambridgeshire

Senior FPGA Engineer | CambridgeshireLocation: CambridgeSalary: Competitive + Comprehensive BenefitsSector: Defence, Aerospace, & CommunicationsAre you an FPGA specialist who thrives on variety? Do you enjoy moving beyond "standard" implementation to solve complex problems in Radar, Comms, and Sensing?We are representing...

Morgan McKinley (South West) Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom £75,000 – £85,000 pa
On-site Permanent

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer - ConsultantLocation: Cambridge, England, United KingdomContract: PermanentSalary: Competitive + Excellent BenefitsJob Description:Electus Recruitment is seeking an FPGA Engineer – Consultant to join a dynamic SME that is part of a larger group of companies poised for significant growth....

Electus Recruitment Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent Clearance Required

FPGA Engineer

A company with ambitious growth plans, set to double revenue, is looking for an FPGA Engineer to join its team. With a strong, supportive culture, employees stay long term and thrive in a collaborative environment. As a small but growing...

Enterprise Recruitment Berkshire, United Kingdom £60,000 – £80,000 pa
On-site Permanent

Senior FPGA Engineer

Senior FPGA Engineer13412This position is perfect for an FPGA Engineer focused on innovation. You will be ahead of industry trends, collaborating with leading semiconductor companies and top engineers on challenging projects. In this small company, there's no micromanagement—just a focus...

Enterprise Recruitment Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom £60,000 – £95,000 pa
See all 36 roles →
Top hirers

Companies hiring fpga engineers

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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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