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 – £111k

Hiring companies

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.

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 – £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

18 jobs

Senior

119

34 jobs

Lead

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.

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

39 live roles

See all 39 roles →

Senior FPGA Design Engineer

Most FPGA Engineer roles promise interesting projects, career development and a great culture. This is one of the few where the hiring manager can genuinely point to ten years with the business and still describe it as the best job...

Enterprise Recruitment Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom £60,000 – £90,000 pa

Contract FPGA Engineer

Contract FPGA Engineer required to carry out one of two interesting firmware projects for this company in Didcot.Skills in order of importance for the Contract FPGA Engineer:FPGA programming in Verilog or VHDLSoC programming to test the FPGASignal processing and an...

Enterprise Recruitment Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

FPGA Electronics Engineer - Defence - Cambridge

This role involves working on challenging engineering problems in UK defence and national security, focusing on FPGA design and development. You'll collaborate closely with a team of engineers, scientists, and designers to build solutions from concept to prototype, tackling complex issues in areas like DSP, embedded systems, and advanced communications.

Newton Colmore Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

On-site Permanent Clearance Required

FPGA Design Engineer

Location: Cambridge (CB25)Duration: PermanentHours: 37.5 per week, flexible working, including up to 3 days per week working from homeSalary: CompetitiveJob Reference: 36054We are seeking an experienced FPGA Design Engineer to join our client's expanding development team, based a few miles...

Polytec Personnel Ltd Waterbeach, United Kingdom

Senior FPGA Design Engineer

This role involves leading FPGA systems design for high-speed automated trading systems, using RTL logic to achieve nanosecond-level performance. You'll collaborate closely with software engineers working in Rust and C++, implement cutting-edge FPGA solutions, and see your designs deployed rapidly. The position is based in Cambridge with a hybrid working model and a technically advanced, senior engineering team.

ECM Selection Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom £80,000 pa

Hybrid Permanent

Senior FPGA Design Engineer

Design and implement RTL for high-performance FPGA and ASIC solutions used in space-qualified 5G satellite systems. Work across the full development lifecycle, translating signal processing algorithms into efficient hardware architectures, achieving timing closure, and integrating IP into complex digital systems alongside systems and verification teams.

Yoh Southampton, Hampshire, SO19 8NJ, United Kingdom £65,000 – £75,000 pa

Hybrid Permanent

Digital FPGA Design Engineer

Design and implement FPGA-based SoC systems for advanced imaging and augmented reality products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams including hardware, software, and mechanical engineers. Focus on low-power design, RTL verification, and integration within complex systems.

Technical Futures Ltd Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Hybrid Permanent

Electronics Engineer (Training on RF and FPGA)

Design and develop advanced GNSS and RF electronics for satellite communication systems as part of a multidisciplinary hardware team. Receive expert training in FPGA and RF design to grow into a technical specialist role. Work on complex, innovative solutions used in defence, aerospace, and marine sectors.

Ernest Gordon Recruitment Lancaster, United Kingdom

On-site Permanent Clearance Required

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.

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 – £111k

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

39 live roles

Senior FPGA Design Engineer

Contract FPGA Engineer

FPGA Electronics Engineer - Defence - Cambridge

FPGA Design Engineer

Senior FPGA Design Engineer

Senior FPGA Design Engineer

Digital FPGA Design Engineer

Electronics Engineer (Training on RF and FPGA)

Companies hiring fpga engineers

Where this role is hiring

Cambridge

Southampton

Oxford

London

Common questions

Hiring fpga engineers?