Embedded Systems Engineer (FPGA)

Livingston | Permanent | £45-50k + Performance Bonus + Benefits

We're partnered with a globally recognised scientific instrumentation company with many years of expertise designing and manufacturing advanced systems. Their instruments are used by researchers and scientists worldwide. Part of a fast-growing international group of high-technology businesses, they continue to invest heavily in R&D and product development, with strong growth expectations in the years ahead.

This is a technically rich embedded systems role at the heart of a genuine R&D environment. You'll be designing, developing and verifying FPGA-based solutions and embedded firmware across a range of cutting-edge scientific instruments. You will work closely with electronic engineers to deliver integrated hardware-software solutions. If you want your work to power instruments that push the boundaries of scientific measurement, this is the role.

Please note: Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

• Develop, implement and verify FPGA-based designs using VHDL or Verilog, alongside embedded software for microcontrollers and peripheral interfaces.
• Develop device drivers, firmware and low-level software for peripherals and communication protocols (I2C, SPI, DDR, UART, CAN etc).
• Collaborate with electronic engineers to ensure seamless software & hardware integration.
• Debug, verify and validate embedded systems using lab tools including oscilloscopes, logic analysers and debuggers.
• Propose and implement solutions in a dynamic R&D environment where requirements may not always be clearly defined.
• Support prototype builds and production transfer also troubleshooting and root-cause analysis.
• Maintain and improve legacy codebases as needed.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and advise the business on developments that may affect performance or product direction.

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Critical to have experience with FPGA development and toolchains. (ideally Xilinx Vivado, synthesis, simulation and implementation).
• Proficiency in VHDL/Verilog and C/C++ for embedded systems development.
• Experience with the Cypress FX2/FX3 platform, USB 3.0 protocol and associated tools.
• Experience with microprocessors including ARM Cortex-M, 8051, AVR or PIC.
• Familiarity with embedded development tools, compilers, debuggers and version control (Git).
• Strong understanding of RTOS or bare-metal development.
• Solid grasp of electronics fundamentals with ability to read schematics and device datasheets.
• Experience developing and consuming DLLs for hardware-software integration.
• Analytical problem-solving skills, with a structured approach to debugging, testing and documentation.
• Effective communicator and confident collaborator within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Work on technically challenging problems in a genuine R&D environment, your solutions will power instruments used by scientists globally.
• Join an established, growing and globally recognised business where innovation is encouraged and expertise is valued.
• Flexible 37.5-hour working week with early Friday finish.
• Excellent career development opportunities within a growing international group.
• Supportive, inclusive team culture with a strong commitment to equal opportunities.

• Salary: £40,000 - £50,000 + £performance-related £bonus
• Working pattern: 37.5 h/p/w, Hybrid 80% in office, early Friday finish
• Private medical insurance
• Pension scheme, permanent health insurance and death-in-service benefit
• Generous holiday allowance
• Subsidised gym membership

Embedded Systems, FPGA, VHDL, Verilog, Xilinx Vivado, C, C++, Firmware, Device Drivers, RTOS, Bare-Metal, I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, USB 3.0, Cypress FX2, FX3, ARM Cortex-M, AVR, PIC, 8051, DLL, Git, Oscilloscope, Logic Analyser, Hardware-Software Integration, Scientific Instrumentation, Spectroscopy, Embedded Software

Hardware Engineer (Electronic)

Edinburgh | Hybrid | £40-50,000 + package

We're partnered with a specialist engineering company that designs intelligent edge systems for deployment in some of the toughest environments around. Their technology monitors and protects critical infrastructure and must work first time, every time, for a long time. Quality, ruggedness, security and long field life aren't aspirations here; they're engineering requirements.

This is a hands-on hardware engineering role with genuine end-to-end ownership. You won't be handed a slice of a schematic, rather you'll be taking designs from architecture through to field deployment, working closely with Customer Delivery, Sales, QA and firmware teams. If you want to see your hardware running in the real world and know that it matters, this is the role.

Please note: Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. The end client is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

• Design embedded electronic hardware; schematic capture, PCB layout and bring-up, for rugged, long-life IoT edge devices deployed in demanding environments.
• Own designs across the full lifecycle, from concept and architecture through prototyping, validation, production handover and field support.
• Select components with reliability, lifecycle, cost and supply-chain resilience in mind and contribute to DFT, DFM and DFR initiatives.
• Integrate wired and wireless communication interfaces and radio modules.
• Lead board-level bring-up, fault-finding and root-cause analysis during development, production and field deployment.
• Assist Hardware QA to support verification, validation, environmental and compliance testing.
• Apply strong EMI/EMC practices and electrical robustness considerations from the outset.
• Produce and maintain high-quality technical documentation schematics, BOMs, design notes and change records.
• Collaborate across a multidisciplinary team to deliver integrated, deployable system solutions.

• Degree in Electronic Engineering or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of professional embedded hardware or electronics design experience.
• Strong schematic capture and PCB design skills, comfortable with the full layout process.
• Solid grounding in analogue and digital circuit design, component selection and microcontroller interfacing.
• Proven experience designing and optimising low-power and battery-powered systems for long-life deployment.
• Experience integrating communication modules (wired and/or wireless).
• Hands-on prototyping, debugging and hardware fault-finding, confident with lab equipment, JTAG and in-circuit test tools.
• Good understanding of EMI/EMC best practice at board level.
• Ability to produce clear, accurate technical documentation.
• Strong communication skills and experience working in a close multidisciplinary team.

Useful, but not essential:

• Experience in industrial, infrastructure or IoT system design (sensors, gateways, remote monitoring).
• PADS Pro or DX Designer experience.
• RF circuit design, antenna selection or RF integration knowledge.
• Exposure to firmware development and close collaboration with software teams.
• Familiarity with environmental, electrical safety or compliance testing.
• Experience in an Agile or iterative development environment.

• End-to-end hardware ownership — from first schematic to field deployment.
• Your work is out in the real world, protecting infrastructure that matters.
• A close, multidisciplinary team where your input is valued and visible.
• Hybrid working based in Edinburgh.
• A fast-moving environment where decisions get made and things get built.

• Salary: £40,000 - £50,000 doe
• Location: Edinburgh
• Benefits: Pensions, Holiday pack, Flexible/Hybrid working, Continual training & Development

Embedded Hardware Design, PCB Layout, Schematic Capture, IoT Edge Systems, Low-Power Design, Battery-Powered Systems, EMI/EMC, Analogue Electronics, Digital Electronics, Microcontroller, Wireless Modules, RF Integration, JTAG, Hardware Debugging, DFT, DFM, DFR, Component Selection, ECAD, PADS Pro, DX Designer, BOM Management, Prototype Bring-Up, Electronics Engineering