Junior FPGA Firmware Engineers
Summary
Junior engineers join General Dynamics UK's TEMPEST team in Hastings to support FPGA firmware development, simulation, and verification for the UK's 6th-generation combat aircraft programme. Core technologies are FPGA development, VHDL/Verilog, and digital design concepts.
Boost your career at the absolute frontier of aerospace technology by joining our TEMPEST team, helping to deliver the UK’s 6th generation fighter aircraft. As an engineer on this critical multi-national project, you will actively design, build, and integrate the next generation of combat air capability. You will collaborate with industry-leading minds to pioneer breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, digital model based engineering, and truly next-generation computing. This is a rare opportunity to see your innovations directly shape the future of global defence, work with cutting-edge technologies, and fast-track your professional development on one of the most ambitious engineering ventures of the century.
In this role you will:
Support FPGA development
Assist simulation and verification
Develop technologies that will shape combat aviation for decades to come.
Work with world-leading engineers across industry, government and academia.
Contribute to sovereign UK defence capability and international collaboration.
Successful candidates should ideally possess:
Degree level education or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline.
Knowledge of digital design concepts
Demonstrable knowledge of VHDL/Verilog
Demonstrated high levels of motivation, integrity, and professionalism
Flexibility, innovation, and commitment to delivery in fast-paced environments
Please note – As part of this hiring process, if successful the next stage will be an invitation to an Assessment Centre. This will be held on the either the 12th or 13th October 2026 at our Hastings Site. Closing date for all applications 29th September 2026.
These full-time roles are based in Hastings and offers an attractive starting salary of up to £33,000 and our excellent flexible benefits package.
We pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose, offering impressive benefits:
- A compressed nine-day fortnight and compressed hours - which means every other Friday off.
- A personalized career development plan, alongside regular progress reviews - supporting and valuing your progression within the Company.
- A flexible working environment where your contributions are recognized and rewarded with flexible benefits
We believe in maintaining a diverse workplace - inclusive of beliefs, cultural background, job experiences, thoughts and ideas. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we welcome you to join our inclusive team!
Our success is fuelled by our colleagues and the wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills they bring to the Company.
We are a Disability Confident Employer, as such we offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job.
Please email disabilityconfident@gd-ms.uk if you would like your application to be considered under the DC Scheme.
All successful/appointed applicants must be able to obtain a level of UK Security clearance that is appropriate for the role and undertake suitable Right to work checks.
Every application matters to us. We want you to know that each application we receive is reviewed by a real person—not just an algorithm. Our screening questions are also carefully considered to help us understand your experience and fit for the role.
We appreciate the time you take to apply.