FPGA Designer

Filton
1 month ago
Create job alert

Bristol

Are you an experienced FPGA Designer who enjoys contributing to the development of complex FPGA platforms? Look no further! Join our ambitious team at MBDA and be part of a company that is at the forefront of innovation.

Apply now and take the next step in your career as an FPGA Designer.

Job Title: FPGA Designer

Salary: Up to circa £75,000 depending on experience

Locations: Stevenage, Bristol and Bolton (we may be able to offer a relocation package for this role)

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 4-5 days per week on-site, due to workload classification. This could be less depending upon project requirements. We are also open to compressed hours or part-time working in this role.

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:
Company bonus: Bonus of up to 21% of base salary
Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave. Enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments.
Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more.The Opportunity:

Our FPGA Design team is rapidly growing!

We are seeking a number of talented FPGA Design Engineers, to work on a wide range of projects, including advanced signal processing systems (Image / Radio); core embedded processing systems and safety and security critical systems.

Your role will involve all phases of the FPGA design life cycle, from requirement inception through to a validated design. This will offer you a great opportunity to strongly influence the design, push the use of latest technologies and interact with the wider multidiscipline design teams; whilst also leveraging the latest tools and technologies provided by top FPGA vendors.

What we're looking for from you:

Ideally, you are educated to degree level (or equivalent qualification), with experience in the majority of the following areas:
Generating complex FPGA architectures and design implementations using VHDL, Simulink, etc., targeting Xilinx, Intel, and Microsemi devices.
Ability to verify complex FPGA implementations using VHDL and System Verilog/UVM test-bench methodologies.
Proficiency in FPGA design toolsets and Mentor verification tools (QuestaSim & ModelSim).
Strong skills in generating low-level software (C) for FPGA test and integration with embedded systems.
Ability to configure and document designs to a high professional standard.Please note: Some of our roles require an elevated level of security clearance. Candidates may be required to undertake DV (Developed Vetting) in order to successfully deliver the role.

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more...

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

#LI-SD1

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Fpga Design Engineer

Fpga Design Engineer

FPGA Design Engineer

FPGA Design Engineer

Fpga Design Engineer

FPGA Design Engineer

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

New Semiconductor Employers to Watch in 2026: UK and International Companies Transforming Chip Careers

The semiconductor industry is entering a new era of investment, geopolitical significance, and technological innovation. As advanced chips power everything from artificial intelligence and edge computing to autonomous vehicles and 5G infrastructure, demand for skilled professionals across design, verification, fabrication, and test engineering continues to rise. For professionals exploring opportunities on www.SemiconductorJobs.co.uk , understanding which employers are scaling, raising funds, winning contracts, or establishing UK operations is critical. This article highlights the new semiconductor employers to watch in 2026, including UK innovators, major international players expanding locally, and emerging firms driving next‑generation semiconductor technologies.

How Many Semiconductor Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Semiconductor Job?

If you’re pursuing a career in the semiconductor industry, it can feel like you’re expected to master an endless list of tools, software packages and lab equipment before you even submit a CV. One job advert wants experience with TCAD and process simulation, another mentions SPICE and yield tools, while yet another asks for test automation platforms, yield analysis software, hardware description languages, EDA suites and hundreds of others. With so many technical names thrown around, it’s easy to fall into “tool anxiety” — the feeling that you’re behind because you don’t know every piece of software, every lab instrument and every process control suite. Here’s the honest truth most semiconductor hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool — they hire you because you can use the right tools to solve real engineering problems and explain your reasoning clearly. Tools matter, absolutely. But they exist to help you deliver measurable results — not to be collected like badges. So how many semiconductor tools do you actually need to know to get a job? The answer is a lot fewer than you might think — and far more focused on core capabilities than a long checklist. This guide breaks down what employers really value, which tools are essential, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so you are confident and credible.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Semiconductor Job Applications (UK Guide)

The semiconductor industry is fast-moving, highly technical and critically important to modern technology. Whether you’re targeting roles in device design, process engineering, yield improvement, test and validation, equipment engineering, reliability, failure analysis or fab operations, hiring managers are selective and deliberate in how they review applications. Most candidates still make the same mistake: they throw generic skill lists and duty statements at recruiters and hope it sticks. In reality, hiring managers make an early call — often within the first 10–20 seconds — based on a few key signals that tell them whether you’re a credible, relevant, impactful candidate. This article breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in semiconductor job applications — how they scan your CV, portfolio and cover letter, what makes them read deeper, and what causes strong candidates to be passed over in favour of others.