Graduate FPGA/Firmware Engineer

Job Description:

Your impact

Are you ready to launch your career and make an impact on real-world projects from day one? 

At Leonardo, based on our Edinburgh or Newcastle site, we’re looking for graduates who want to be part of something bigger—shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. Joining the Leonardo Graduate Scheme is the opportunity to be part of the next generation of our business.

You will be provided with a wealth of development opportunities in both virtual and applied working environments.  On our programme you will engage with challenging and exciting project work and deliver innovative business or technical solutions as part of a team of subject matter experts.  Throughout the programme you will receive coaching and support from your team to achieve your objectives as well as your personal development goals.  We are committed to developing our graduates into leading technical professionals, and as such we will also support you through your preferred route for chartership. 

Our 18-month Graduate Programme gives you the opportunity to work on exciting and challenging projects alongside subject matter experts. On joining, you will receive a starting salary of £34,000 per annum, plus a £1,000 welcome bonus. You’ll also be eligible for a £1,000 exit bonus upon successful completion of the programme. In addition, you may be eligible for a Temporary Accommodation Allowance (TAA), subject to specific criteria.

You will be expected to spend at least three or four days each week on site, to integrate with your team and maximise your learning experience by designing, testing and integrating code and hardware on the Edinburgh or Newcastle site.

During the programme, you will:

• Be encouraged to gain experience of all aspects of the development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, design, implementation, integration, applied research and test.
• Closely liaise with engineers from other disciplines, such as Systems, Software and Mechanical. Opportunities may also arise to interface with customers and end users.

As a Graduate FPGA/Firmware Engineer you will:

• Work  on  the  design,  development,  and  verification  of  firmware  and  digital  systems  using  FPGAs,  which  are central to our advanced electronic systems
• Collaborate on the development of high-performance digital signal processing solutions and real-time systems for a variety of avionic sensor systems
• Learn  to  write  efficient,  reliable,  and  maintainable  code  using  hardware  description  languages  (HDLs)  such  as VHDL
• Gain experience in simulation, debugging, and testing your designs in laboratory environments, ensuring optimal performance in demanding environments, optimising firmware designs to improve performance, efficiency, and reliability
• Design,  implement,  and  verify  FPGA  firmware  for  complex  embedded  systems,  ensuring  adherence  to performance and safety requirements
• Document and present design solutions and progress to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Collaborate  with  Software,  Electronics  and  Systems  engineers  to  ensure  smooth  integration  of  firmware components
• Develop test plans and simulation environments to verify designs meet functional and timing requirements
• Contribute to technical reviews. Your role may even take you across the UK or abroad for technical reviews.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives for hardware design processes and methodologies

What you’ll bring : Entry Requirements

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

• Minimum of a 2:2 Bachelor’s Integrated  Master’s degree, or higher degree (MSc or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a related discipline.
• For the Graduate FPGA / Firmware Engineering role, the preferred degrees are: Electrical   and   Electronic   Engineering,   Information   and   Communication   Engineering,   Computer Communication   and   Networks, Cyber Security,   Mathematics, Communications Engineering
• A strong interest  in Firmware  and  FPGA  development.  Basic familiarity  with hardware description  languages (HDLs) such as VHDL is desirable but not required as training will be provided
• Strong problem-solving abilities, with excellent communication skills and a desire to work collaboratively in a team. A proactive approach to learning new technologies is crucial

Security Clearance 

Many of our roles are subject to security and export control restrictions set by UK Government Security requirements and customer obligations.  As a result, and in line with the UK Government Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) requirements, all successful applicants will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record declaration information and employment and/or education history verification for the previous five years. 

For staff operating in more sensitive posts, there is an additional range of personnel security controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV).  As part of this process, a range of factors may be considered, including an individual's background, travel history, nationality, previous nationalities held and other information relevant to the vetting assessment. 

To be eligible for National Security Vetting at SC level, applicants will generally be expected to have continuously resided in the UK for the previous five years. For DV clearance, this is typically ten years.  In some circumstances, time spent overseas may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.  Additional vetting requirements may apply upon appointment. 

For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us 

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do, key contributors in shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.  

We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive. 

• Time to recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year. 

• Secure your future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution. 

• Your wellbeing matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).  

• Rewarding performance: All employees are eligible for our bonus scheme. 

• Join in our success: Our annual Employee Stock Ownership Plan provides you the opportunity to own shares in Leonardo. 

• Tailored perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more. 

For a full list of our company benefits please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/company-benefits  

We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people, communities and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know. 

Start your extraordinary career – apply now! 

Primary Location:

GB - Edinburgh

Additional Locations:

GB - Newcastle

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid