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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
40
Salary range
£43k – £100k
Hiring companies
26
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.

  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 – £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
43
80
17 jobs
Senior
50
116
39 jobs
Lead
64
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.

  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

40 live roles

See all 40 roles →
Newton Colmore logo

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

Design and develop FPGA firmware for safety-critical systems using VHDL, from concept through verification and qualification. Work within a small, cross-functional team to integrate FPGA solutions with electronics and software components, ensuring compliance with rigorous technical and regulatory standards. Focus on high-performance digital design with strong emphasis on documentation, timing, and verification.

Cortech Talent Solutions Whitstable, Kent, United Kingdom £40,000 – £70,000 pa

FPGA Design Engineer - Oxfordshire

Design and verify FPGA code for high-precision hardware products used in life sciences, industrial, and engineering applications. Work within a multidisciplinary team across the full product lifecycle, from concept to manufacturing support. Focus on timing closure, test coverage, and compliance in a regulated environment using VHDL/Verilog and modern development tools.

Morgan McKinley (South West) Oxfordshire, United Kingdom £60,000 – £65,000 pa

FPGA Design Engineer

Design and verify FPGA-based control and data systems for high-performance motorsport electronics, focusing on the Antares powertrain controller. Develop synthesizable VHDL RTL, create testbenches, perform timing closure, and support board bring-up and in-service validation. Collaborate across hardware, software, and systems teams to deliver reliable, cutting-edge solutions in a fast-paced environment.

Cosworth Group Holdings Limited Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

FPGA Design Engineer - Oxfordshire

Design and verify FPGA code for high-precision hardware products, ensuring timing closure and functional performance across the full product lifecycle. Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop advanced sensing and measurement solutions. Work with VHDL/Verilog, high-speed interfaces, and verification methodologies in a technology-driven environment with strong emphasis on testability and manufacturability.

Morgan McKinley Oxfordshire, United Kingdom £60,000 – £65,000 pa

Radar FPGA Design Engineer

Design and implement advanced FPGA architectures for radar and satellite communication systems using VHDL, with a focus on high-speed digital signal processing. Lead design reviews, mentor junior engineers, and translate high-level requirements into verified, production-ready firmware running on target hardware. Work spans the full development lifecycle from specification to system certification.

Expert Employment Garden Suburb, London, NW11 6QG, United Kingdom £65,000 – £75,000 pa
IonQ logo

Senior FPGA Verification Engineer

This role involves designing and implementing FPGA test and simulation best practices, contributing to the development of advanced quantum control systems. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality and reliable FPGA designs, using UVM/SystemVerilog and Python for test automation.

IonQ Oxford, United Kingdom
ECM Selection logo

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
See all 40 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.

Oxford

Location
6 open

Cambridge

Location
6 open

Southampton

Location
3 open

London

Location
1 open

Edinburgh

Location
1 open

Cheltenham

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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