Senior Firmware (FPGA) Engineer

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

From smart sensors—spanning Electronic Warfare and Surveillance radars—to integrated, collaborative mission systems for manned, unmanned and digital platforms, we enable the gathering, processing and intuitive interpretation of a wide spectrum of critical information. Whether sovereign, structured or open‑source, this trusted insight supports leaders at the highest levels as they make timely, confident decisions that shape safer outcomes for nations.

Join a high-performing engineering team delivering advanced firmware solutions across defence, aerospace, and complex electronic systems. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge FPGA and SoC technologies, contributing to mission-critical systems where performance, reliability, and precision matter.

Location

Crawley or Reading or Bristol (Hybrid)

The Role

As a Senior Firmware Engineer, you’ll play a key role in the full firmware lifecycle—from architecture and design through to verification and validation. Working within a structured development environment, you’ll collaborate closely with systems, hardware, and software teams to deliver robust, high-quality solutions.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop firmware architectures, designs, and requirements for complex systems

• Implement and verify designs using VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog

• Build and maintain verification environments (SystemVerilog, C++, OSVVM/UVVM)

• Work across the full lifecycle: design, simulation, integration, and validation

• Contribute to process improvement, including automation, scripting, and documentation

• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary engineering teams to ensure system integration

• Support delivery of projects to time, cost, and quality constraints

What We’re Looking For

• Degree-qualified in Electronics (or similar) with proven firmware experience

• Strong experience with FPGA/SoC development and HDL design

• Familiarity with tools such as ModelSim / QuestaSim

• Experience with requirements tools (e.g. DOORS)

• Knowledge of technologies such as PCIe, Ethernet, AXI4, Serial interfaces

• Exposure to Linux environments, MATLAB, or image processing is beneficial

• Background in defence, aerospace, or safety-critical systems is highly desirable

Bonus Experience

• Electronic Warfare programmes

• Leading firmware design activities or small teams

• Advanced verification methodologies

Why Join Thales?

• Work on cutting-edge defence and aerospace programmes

• Clear progression pathways to Firmware Architect or Engineering Manager roles

• Support towards Chartership and professional development

• Access to extensive learning resources and training platforms

• Hybrid working with opportunities to engage on customer-facing projects

Benefits

• Performance-related bonus

• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00

• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)

• 24 hours volunteering paid for

• Private healthcare

• Pension scheme

• Life cover

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app

• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers

• Gym membership discounts

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!