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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
39
Salary range
£43k – £111k
Hiring companies
26
View 39 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.

  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

£43k – £111k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 69 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
44% of listings advertise a salary — up from 0% the year before.
By seniority
£k base
Mid
43
80
18 jobs
Senior
52
119
34 jobs
Lead
65
120
6 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
83%
FPGA
83%
SystemVerilog
53%
Verilog
42%
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.

  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

39 live roles

See all 39 roles →
Langham Recruitment logo

Senior FPGA Engineer

This role involves leading the On-Board Data Handling (OBDH) subsystem for satellite missions, from concept to launch. Responsibilities include managing system requirements, interfacing with other technical leads, and designing, implementing, and verifying FPGA solutions in VHDL. The position offers a unique opportunity to see your work in space within a rapid timescale.

Langham Recruitment Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent

Junior FPGA Engineer

The Junior FPGA Engineer will work on the design, development, and verification of FPGA and SoC solutions, collaborating with a specialist engineering team. Responsibilities include implementing VHDL, integrating and testing FPGA solutions, and producing clear documentation.

Octagon Group Southampton, Hampshire, SO19 8NJ, United Kingdom £35,000 – £50,000 pa

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

Senior FPGA Engineer - Permanent - Full Time (Mostly Onsite)Salary: £52,000 - £62,000 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...

MASS North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom £52,000 – £62,000 pa

Principal FPGA Engineer

This role involves leading FPGA design for advanced RF signal processing and real-time data handling within a mission-critical electronic warfare context. The engineer will develop complex FPGA architectures using Xilinx and Intel platforms, integrate with high-speed ADCs/DACs, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver reconfigurable hardware solutions. Work includes algorithm implementation, verification, and test support in high-throughput, multi-clock environments.

MASS North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom £60,000 – £70,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required

Senior FPGA Engineer

Design and develop real-time FPGA systems for first-generation hardware, focusing on implementation, simulation, verification, and test. Work closely on FPGA external interfaces such as PCIe, Ethernet, SPI, and Aurora within a rapidly scaling tech environment. Play a key role in shaping the FPGA function while maintaining hands-on technical involvement.

Enterprise Recruitment Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom £100,000 – £140,000 pa
On-site Permanent

Senior FPGA Engineer

This is the sort of opportunity FPGA Design Engineers rarely come across: technically challenging work, genuine career flexibility, and a company that's still small enough for individuals to make a real impact. Working on everything from space exploration technology and...

Enterprise Recruitment Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom £65,000 – £90,000 pa

Contract FPGA Engineer

Contract FPGA Engineer (Outside IR35)Cambridge – OnsiteRate DOE6 month duration (initial)Active SC Clearance is required for this role, DV would be highly advantageous.Our client, a specialist in advanced engineering and defence technologies, is seeking an FPGA contractor to support the...

SoCode Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom £50 – £80 ph
See all 39 roles →
Top hirers

Companies hiring fpga engineers

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Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

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

Cambridge

Location
9 open

Southampton

Location
3 open

Oxford

Location
3 open

London

Location
1 open
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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