Graduate Firmware / FPGA Engineer

Are you interested in being an integral part of high-performing teams delivering advanced technical capabilities and services? We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated professionals to join us at Leonardo, a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security.

Our 18-month Engineering Graduate Programme

Joining the Leonardo Graduate Scheme is the opportunity to grow your career in hardware design. Here’s what you can expect:

• Starting salary of £33,000
• A welcome bonus and a Temporary Accommodation Allowance for those relocating more than 40 miles
• Development opportunities in both virtual and applied working environments
• Exposure to challenging and exciting project work with innovative business or technical solutions
• Support through your preferred route for professional chartership

Most training will be delivered via on-the-job experiences. You will work directly on real production hardware within projects delivering sensor systems to our customers. Additional formal technical training will be provided via taught courses depending on business needs and your career ambitions. Self-directed learning is actively supported through platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning, offering over 4,000 courses to help support your development.

Role Responsibilities

As a Graduate Firmware / FPGA Engineer, you will:

• Design, develop, and verify firmware and digital systems using FPGAs, central to our advanced electronic systems
• Collaborate on the development of high-performance digital signal processing solutions and real-time systems
• Write efficient, reliable, and maintainable code using hardware description languages (HDLs) such as VHDL
• Gain experience in simulation, debugging, and testing designs in laboratory environments
• Design, implement, and verify FPGA firmware for complex embedded systems
• Document and present design solutions and progress to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Work with software, electronics, and systems engineers to ensure smooth integration of firmware components
• Develop test plans and simulation environments to verify design requirements
• Contribute to technical reviews which may require travel across the UK or abroad
• Support continuous improvement initiatives for hardware design processes

What We Need from You

We are looking for graduates who are enthusiastic about hardware design and eager to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Qualifications and skills:

• Minimum of a 2:2 Bachelor’s, Integrated Masters degree, or higher degree (MSc or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a related discipline
• Preferred degrees include: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Information and Communication Engineering, Computer Communication and Networks, Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures, Cyber Security, Mathematics, Communications Engineering
• A strong interest in firmware and FPGA development. Basic familiarity with HDLs like VHDL is desirable but not mandatory (training will be provided)
• Strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a proactive approach to learning new technologies

Security Clearance

Please note that you must be eligible for UK security clearance. This normally includes having a minimum of five years permanent residency in the UK.

Life at Leonardo

A career with Leonardo offers a host of benefits:

• Flexible Working: Flexible hours with potential for some hybrid working
• Company-funded Benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, and other lifestyle options (with a £500 annual allowance)
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, with options to buy/sell leave and accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year
• Pension: Award-winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution)
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme offering mental health and financial wellbeing support, and network groups for diversity and inclusion
• Lifestyle: Discounted gym membership and Cycle to Work scheme
• Training: Free access to over 4,000 courses via Coursera
• Referral Incentive: Financial reward for successfully referring a friend or family member

Leonardo is a global high-tech company headquartered in Italy. It has over 45,000 employees, with 8,000 based across 8 sites in the UK. At Leonardo UK, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive.

This is a fantastic opportunity to bring your talents to Leonardo and become an integral part of its future. Grow your skills and career with us – why not join today?