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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
53
Salary range
£30k – £140k
Hiring companies
24
View 53 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

£30k – £140k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 37 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Mid
43
80
9 jobs
Senior
50
140
18 jobs
Lead
70
130
3 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 16 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

VHDL
100%
SystemVerilog
100%
FPGA
94%
RFSoC
81%
Simulink
56%
MATLAB
50%
Intel FPGA
50%
Vivado
44%
Quartus
44%
C/C++
44%
MATLAB/Simulink HDL
44%
Signal Processing
38%
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

53 live roles

See all 53 roles →

FPGA Engineer

As an FPGA Engineer, you will work on real-time signal processing systems that support mission-critical capabilities in electromagnetic warfare. You'll collaborate with experienced engineers and domain specialists, implementing FPGA designs for RF signal processing applications and integrating high-speed ADC/DAC interfaces. This role offers exposure to how systems are used operationally and a clear link between engineering decisions and real-world outcomes.

MASS Luton, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom £42,500 – £52,500 pa
On-site Permanent Clearance Required

FPGA Engineer

As an FPGA Engineer, you will work on real-time signal processing systems that support mission-critical capabilities in electromagnetic warfare. You'll collaborate with experienced engineers and domain specialists to design, develop, and test FPGA-based systems, integrating high-speed ADC/DAC interfaces and working with tools like VHDL, SystemVerilog, and MATLAB/Simulink.

MASS Borstal, Kent, United Kingdom £42,500 – £52,500 pa
On-site Permanent Clearance Required

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

Senior FPGA Engineer

As a Senior FPGA Engineer, you will design and deliver real-time signal processing systems that are mission-critical for electromagnetic warfare operations. You will work closely with system engineers, software teams, and domain specialists to develop FPGA-based solutions on AMD/Xilinx and Intel platforms, integrating with high-speed data pipelines and RF instrumentation. This role offers a unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on operational outcomes and to lead technical and mentoring responsibilities.

MASS Bristol, Bristol (county), United Kingdom £52,000 – £62,000 pa
On-site Permanent Clearance Required

Senior FPGA Engineer

As a Senior FPGA Engineer, you will lead the design and development of FPGA-based systems for real-time signal processing and high-throughput applications. Your work will directly impact mission-critical systems in the electromagnetic battlespace, working closely with system engineers, software teams, and domain specialists to deliver robust and high-performance solutions.

MASS Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom £52,000 – £62,000 pa
On-site Permanent Clearance Required

Senior FPGA Engineer

As a Senior FPGA Engineer, you will design and deliver real-time signal processing systems that directly influence operational outcomes in the electromagnetic battlespace. You will work closely with system engineers, software teams, and domain specialists to develop FPGA-based solutions on AMD/Xilinx and Intel platforms, integrating with high-speed ADC/DAC interfaces and real-time data pipelines. This role involves a strong on-site presence in Lincoln, with opportunities for relocation support and a clear connection to the operational impact of your work.

MASS Gloucester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom £52,000 – £62,000 pa
On-site Permanent Clearance Required

Senior FPGA Engineer

As a Senior FPGA Engineer, you will lead the design and development of FPGA-based systems for real-time signal processing in mission-critical electromagnetic warfare applications. You will work closely with system engineers, software teams, and domain specialists to deliver robust, high-performance solutions that directly influence operational outcomes.

MASS Great Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 2AA, United Kingdom £52,000 – £62,000 pa
On-site Permanent Clearance Required

Senior FPGA Engineer

As a Senior FPGA Engineer, you will lead the design and development of FPGA-based systems for real-time signal processing in mission-critical electromagnetic warfare applications. You will work closely with system engineers, software teams, and domain specialists to deliver robust, high-performance solutions that directly influence operational outcomes.

MASS Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom £52,000 – £62,000 pa
On-site Permanent Clearance Required
See all 53 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.

Bristol

Location
6 open

London

Location
2 open

Luton

Location
2 open

Cheltenham

Location
2 open

Sheffield

Location
1 open

Portsmouth

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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