Principal FPGA/ PLD Engineer

Job Title\: Principal PLD/FPGA Engineer

Location\: Rochester

Relocation packages are available for this position.

Referral Bonus\: £2000

Grade\: 10

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptional individual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your Line Manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE\: Should you be invited for interview, you will be giving consent for the Recruitment Team to contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

Job Description\:

As a Principal PLD / FPGA Engineer, you will provide technical leadership in the design, development and verification of FPGA-based solutions for a wide range of commercial and military platforms. Working within an engaged, dedicated team of experts, you will help solve complex engineering challenges and deliver robust, high-integrity digital solutions for mission computers, displays, flight controls and other safety- and mission-critical applications.

Your work will be at the heart of developing and evolving real-time products, including industry-leading Head Up and Head Worn Displays, as well as Safety-Critical Pilot and Vehicle Control Systems. From shaping new product architectures to strategically integrating emerging technologies into established systems, you will use your expertise and technical leadership to drive innovation, performance and reliability throughout the product lifecycle.

Core duties\:

• Lead the definition, architecture and development of PLD/FPGA solutions, translating complex system needs into robust device requirements and designs. Apply Model-Based Engineering (MBE) and SysML techniques to develop architectures, resolve complex engineering challenges and drive best practice and continuous improvement
• Lead the independent verification and integration of PLD/FPGA solutions, demonstrating compliance with device requirements through simulation, analysis and laboratory testing. Lead integration within real-time systems, working across systems, electronics and software disciplines to ensure robust and reliable performance
• Own technical delivery of PLD/FPGA work packages throughout the product lifecycle, coordinating multidisciplinary teams to resolve issues, manage change and deliver verified solutions. Ensure technical excellence through peer review and oversight, while maintaining accountability for progress, performance, risks and successful delivery
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to effectively capture and maintain lifecycle artefacts throughout development

Essential Skills\:

• A degree or equivalent qualification in Electronics Engineering or a related discipline, ideally with a focus on digital systems, FPGA/VLSI design, reconfigurable computing, embedded systems or microelectronics
• At Chartered Engineer (CEng) level (or equivalent level of capability)
• Deep PLD/FPGA technical expertise, with the ability to apply sound engineering judgement and specialist techniques to analyse and resolve complex technical challenges
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical solutions clearly and work effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• A proven team player who is equally comfortable working independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team

The FPGA Team\:

Join a small, highly skilled team of FPGA specialists working on some of the most challenging high-integrity engineering problems in aerospace and defence. You will have the opportunity to influence FPGA architectures and technical decisions, collaborate with experts across multiple engineering disciplines, and see your work become part of real-world mission computers, displays and flight control systems.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive\:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date\: 2nd November 2026