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

£40k – £140k

Hiring companies

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.

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

£40k – £140k

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

By seniority

£k base

Mid

3 jobs

Senior

140

9 jobs

Lead

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.

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

36 live roles

See all 36 →

Senior FPGA Design Engineer

Job Title: Senior FPGA Design EngineerLocation: Reading, BerkshireSalary: £60,000 to £80,000 basic + 10% pension and excellent benefitsSponsorship: Not availableAre you an experienced FPGA Design Engineer ready for your next challenge?A prestigious client in Reading is seeking a skilled FPGA...

Verso Recruitment Spencers Wood, Berkshire, United Kingdom £60,000 – £80,000 pa

FPGA Design Engineer

We are partnered with a growing business building specialist electronics systems used in demanding industrial and scientific applications. They are looking for a FPGA Design Engineer to build products that are high performance, reliable, and built to solve real-world challenges...

Redline Group Berkshire, United Kingdom £45,000 – £75,000 pa

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 Sheffield Bottom, Berkshire, RG7 4BE, United Kingdom

FPGA Engineer

Job Title: FPGA EngineerLocation: Rochester, Kent, UKRole Type: PermanentSalary: £45,000 - £65,000 + BenefitsOur client, an established electronics engineering firm, require an experienced FPGA Engineer to join their multi-disciplined team in Rochester.You will be a member of a dedicated team...

Gold Group Borstal, Kent, United Kingdom £45,000 – £65,000 pa

Senior FPGA Engineer (SC)

RFSoC expertise applied for innovative FPGA based defence productsBristol; to £90,000 DoE + Benefits + BonusBased in Bristol offices close to the M5 and rail links, this technology company have developed innovative products using distributed acoustic sensing for fibre optic...

ECM Selection Bristol, Bristol (county), United Kingdom

Lead FPGA Engineer

Lead FPGA Engineer – DSP / SDR* Bristol based - Hybrid working* up to £110,00 + Equity + Profit-Related Bonus + Private Medical & DentalUnique opportunity to join a rapidly growing tech team based in Bristol. Seeking an FPGA Engineer...

Octagon Group Bristol, Bristol (county), United Kingdom £90,000 – £110,000 pa

FPGA Engineer

An Oxfordshire based company that specialise in electro-mechanical equipment is seeking to recruit an FPGA Engineer to work on a contract that is initially scheduled for 3 months (hybrid working).The RoleThis contract will involve using Verilog and VHDL to investigate,...

JAM Recruitment Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

FPGA Engineer

Job Title: FPGA EngineerLocation: Bristol - Hybrid 3+ days on-site per weekRole Type: ContractDuration: 12 monthsRate: £60.00 - £80.00 per hour - Inside IR35Our client, an established engineering consultancy, require an experienced FPGA Engineer to join their multi-disciplined team in...

Gold Group Filton, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom £60 – £80 ph

Senior FPGA Engineer

An FPGA Engineer position, based in Bristol has become available with a high-growth engineering company, transforming fibre-optic infrastructure into real-time sensing networks using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology.My client is recognised in the Sunday Times Top 100 Growth Companies (2023)...

Redline Group Pill, Somerset, TA24 6QL, United Kingdom

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

FPGA Engineering Manager

BristolAre you an experiencedFPGA Engineering Manager, an inspirational Leader passionate about people who enjoys contributing to developing and enhancing future capabilities? Look no further! Join our ambitious FPGA Engineering Team at MBDA and be part of a company that is...

MBDA Filton, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

FPGA Engineer

Holt Executive Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Senior FPGA engineer

Senior FPGA Engineer – Circa £90k – BristolHexwired Recruitment is recruiting for an expanding Electronics manufacturer based in Bristol now seeking a senior FPGA Engineer to help deliver key projects for clients across a range of applications. You will be...

Hexwired Recruitment Limited Bristol, Bristol (county), United Kingdom £70,000 – £90,000 pa

Lead FPGA Engineer

Use your FPGA skills for ultraprecise optical fibre sensing DSPWith applications in industry and national infrastructure protection, this Bristol-based company's technology can turn legacy fibre-optics into high precision long distance sensors. As their business continues to grow, they are seeking...

ECM Selection Bristol, Bristol (county), United Kingdom £70,000 – £90,000 pa

FPGA Engineer - Submarines

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionFPGA EngineerFull TimeDerby or GlasgowYou will work within our safety critical FPGA development team across all phases of the design lifecycle from requirements elicitation through to equipment testing. The team uses agile SCRUM methods to develop high integrity...

Rolls Royce Derby, Derbyshire, DE1 3AE, United Kingdom

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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FPGA Engineer Jobs

A typical day for a FPGA Engineer

£40k – £140k

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

36 live roles

Senior FPGA Design Engineer

FPGA Design Engineer

Senior FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

Senior FPGA Engineer (SC)

Lead FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

Senior FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineering Manager

FPGA Engineer

Senior FPGA engineer

Lead FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineer - Submarines

Companies hiring fpga engineers

Common questions

Hiring fpga engineers?