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Job Title: Firmware Engineer

Location: Bristol (Remote role, infrequent travel to either Bristol or other sites, no more than twice per month)
Seniority: 5+ Years of Experience
Employment Type: Full Time
Clearance Requirement: Must have full right to work in the UK and be eligible for SC Clearance

Join ALTEN Ltd, a leading engineering and technology consultancy supporting innovation across the Defence, Aerospace, and Military sectors. We are seeking an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to cutting-edge projects involving high-performance embedded systems and advanced electronic technologies. This role offers the opportunity to work on mission-critical systems that shape the future of secure communications and intelligent defence capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement VHDL-based FPGA firmware for high-reliability embedded systems.
• Conduct firmware architecture design, coding, simulation, and testing activities in accordance with engineering and quality standards.
• Collaborate with Hardware, Systems, and Software Engineers to ensure seamless integration of FPGA solutions into broader system architectures.
• Perform timing analysis, verification, and validation of FPGA designs using simulation tools and test benches.
• Support system reviews, documentation, and configuration management throughout the full development lifecycle.
• Provide technical input and mentorship to junior engineers, ensuring adherence to design standards and best practices.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline. 
• 5+ years’ experience in Firmware or FPGA Design within the Defence, Aerospace, or Safety-Critical Systems domains.
• Proven expertise in FPGA development, including VHDL coding, synthesis, timing closure, and simulation.
• Proficiency with FPGA development tools such as Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus, or Mentor ModelSim.
• Experience across the full firmware lifecycle — from requirements capture through to design validation and verification.
• Strong understanding of embedded systems, digital design principles, and hardware-software integration.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and documentation skills.

Additional Desirable Experience

• Familiarity with DO-254 or other safety-critical design standards.
• Experience with Defence or Aerospace-grade hardware development.
• Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python or TCL for automation.
• Exposure to Configuration Management Tools (e.g. Git, SVN).

Why join us? 

We foster a community of dually talented individuals who are both entrepreneurs and technology specialists. Our teams embody the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling us to develop solutions most efficiently. 

Our commitment to sustainable growth is unwavering, and we continuously strive for accelerated transformation and continuous improvement. Through ALTEN labs, mentoring programs, internal universities, and more, we are always pushing boundaries and embracing new possibilities. 

We offer incredible opportunities to join inspiring projects in the most innovative companies. 

We prioritise your career development with personalised support plans tailored to your own aspirations. We're here to empower you and help you reach your full potential. 

Join our passionate team and start building tomorrow, today! 

In short you get: 

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
• A chance to work on the most exciting engineering projects and technologies along with Premium Customers
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• A competitive salary
• Private Medical Insurance
• Pension Scheme
• Cycle-to-work Scheme among many additional benefits
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings, and team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

This role will require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.