FPGA Engineer (National Security & Critical Systems)

Sanderson
Southampton, United Kingdom
Last month
£60,000 – £80,000 pa

Salary

£60,000 – £80,000 pa

Job Type
Permanent
Work Pattern
Full-time
Work Location
On-site
Seniority
Mid
Education
Degree
Security Clearance
Required
Posted
20 Apr 2026 (Last month)

Benefits

Developed Vetting (DV) clearance Exposure to complex, cutting-edge technology Long-term programme stability Collaborative engineering culture Access to experienced technical leaders
FPGA Engineer

National Security & Critical Systems

Great ideas come from different minds. That's why this organisation brings together engineers, scientists, analysts, and creatives from a wide range of backgrounds - and gives them the trust, tools, and freedom to make a real impact.

What connects everyone is a shared mission:solving meaningful problems and building advanced technical capability that protects what matters most.

As the challenges continue to evolve, so does the technology, with teams working on solutions that will shape tomorrow, not just today.

The Opportunity

You'll join agrowing and highly trusted supplier within the national security domain, delivering mission-critical solutions that support safety, security, and long-term resilience.

The business has securedlong-term programmes of work across a broad technical spectrum, providing genuine stability alongside opportunity for development and growth. It's an environment where engineers can build deep expertise while contributing to work with real national impact.

Projects span leading-edge areas including:

  • Digital signal processing and advanced hardware design
  • AI / data-driven systems
  • Secure platforms, cloud, and modern DevOps practices
  • Cyber-focused and software-defined capabilities
The Role

As anFPGA Engineer, you'll play a key role in the design and delivery of high-performance hardware solutions. You'll work closely with multidisciplinary teams to develop, integrate, and validate complex systems from concept through to deployment.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • FPGA Design & Development
    Designing, simulating, synthesising, and implementing digital logic using VHDL / Verilog

  • DSP Algorithm Implementation
    Developing and optimising real-time DSP algorithms such as FIR/IIR filters, FFTs, mixers, and I/Q demodulation

  • Hardware Interfacing
    Designing and managing high-speed digital interfaces including ADCs, DACs, and PCIe

  • System Integration
    Collaborating with embedded software, PCB, and systems engineering teams to integrate firmware into deployed solutions

  • Debugging & Lab Validation
    Using oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, signal generators, and other test equipment to verify and refine designs

What You'll Bring
  • Proven experience inFPGA design and DSP implementation
  • Strong practical knowledge ofVHDL and/or Verilog
  • Experience usingMATLAB / Simulink for modelling and validation
  • Working knowledge ofEmbedded C/C++ and/or Python for testing, automation, or processor interaction
  • A solid understanding ofdigital communications theory and RF principles
Why Join?
  • Work onprojects that genuinely matter, with national-level impact
  • Exposure to complex, cutting-edge technology in a secure environment
  • Long-term programme stability combined with opportunities to grow and specialise
  • Collaborative engineering culture with access to experienced technical leaders
Location & Security
  • Based at asecure UK site within an established engineering environment, offering good transport links and access to surrounding countryside
  • Due to the nature of the work, applicants must beeligible and willing to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) clearance

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason,please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

Related Jobs

View all jobs
Spotlight

Forward Deployed Engineer

SolveAI London, United Kingdom
Hybrid
Spotlight

Senior ML Compiler Engineer

Fractile Bristol, United Kingdom

Embedded Software Engineer

Forward Role Cheltenham, United Kingdom
£55,000 – £90,000 pa On-site Clearance Required

HIL System Engineer

Wayve London, United Kingdom
On-site

Security Cleared Firmware Engineer - DSP Engineer - Cambridge

Newton Colmore Cambridge, United Kingdom
On-site Clearance Required

Embedded Software Engineer

Archangel Lightworks Ox11Aa, OX1 1AA, United Kingdom
Hybrid

Senior RF Data Scientist / Research Engineer

Adria Solutions Cambridge, United Kingdom
£80,000 – £110,000 pa Hybrid

Industry Insights

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

Where to Advertise AI Jobs in the UK (2026 Guide)

Where to advertise AI jobs UK in 2026: the specialist boards and communities that reach AI engineers, ML scientists and applied research talent in the UK. The candidate pool is small, highly informed and in demand across multiple sectors simultaneously. General job boards reach a broad audience but lack the specificity that AI professionals expect — and the filtering mechanisms they rely on. Specialist platforms, direct outreach and academic channels each serve a different part of the market. This guide, published by ArtificialIntelligenceJobs.co.uk, covers where to advertise AI roles in the UK in 2026, how the main platforms compare, what employers should expect to pay, and what the data says about time-to-hire across different role types.