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Senior / Principal Firmware Engineer

Our client, a global leader in the Defence Industry is looking for a Senior / Principal Firmware Engineer working on avionics systems.

Role Overview:

The Senior / Principal firmware engineer would be responsible for design and development of Firmware designs using VHDL and verifying designs using VHDL or System Verilog.

Job Responsibilities:

The firmware engineer would work closely with Systems, Hardware and Software teams to provide firmware solutions and solve integration problems on complex systems.

• Creating innovative and robust VHDL-based designs
• Documenting and recording deliverables
• Verifying firmware designs
• Ensuring configuration management/keeping designs under revision control
• Providing progress reports

Skills, Qualifications and Experience required:

Mandatory

• Proven expertise of developing firmware using VHDL or Verilog
• Experienced with Mentor Graphics FPGA development tools including HDL Designer, ModelSim / Questa and Precision
• Familiar with Xilinx / Intel (Altera) / Microsemi (Actel) design flows (ISE, Vivado, Quartus) and third-party synthesis tools
• Experience in specifying timing and area constraints for efficient FPGA Place and Route.

• Ability to analyse system and / or hardware level requirements and derive detailed Firmware requirements

• Independent verification using VHDL
• Experience of firmware requirements capture and requirements management tools

• De-bugging firmware designs and supporting integration & verification at hardware
  and system level

• A good understanding of firmware version control and revision control software
• Experience of making technical decisions and mitigating technical risk for Firmware design activities.

• Experience with High-Speed Serial protocols and implementations

• Ability to coordinate day to day technical activities, liaising closely with the Project Engineering Lead / Lead firmware engineer & other disciplines
• Excellent communication (oral & written) & interpersonal skills

• Linux and scripting experience
• Experience in writing technical reports/ documentation

Desirable

• Development of real-time, embedded, safety-critical firmware, preferably in accordance with RTCA/DO-254 DAL D
• Independent verification using SystemVerilog / UVM
• Relevant experience in the Aerospace or Defence industry
• Experience of embedded processor cores (e.g. ARM) in FPGA designs
• Familiarity with latest FPGA device families

Qualifications

• Honours degree or equivalent in Electronics Engineering or another STEM-based subject

This role could be based in Luton or Edinburgh

Due to security requirements this role is open to SOLE UK NATIONALS ONLY

Are you a Hardware Engineer working on defence products? I have some exciting CONTRACT opportunities for Digital Hardware engineers at various levels on cutting edge defence projects.

These roles are on a hybrid basis with 3 days from home and 2 days in the office per week.

The Senior / Principal Digital hardware engineer would be responsible for design, commissioning and test of high-speed digital electronics hardware, i.e. Printed Circuit Assemblies (PCA’s) on complex systems for airborne Radar products.

The successful candidate may be required to supervise other less experienced digital hardware engineers working on the same project.

The role will be based at our customer’s site in Edinburgh and may allow for hybrid working after an initial period of familiarisation onsite.

Job Responsibilities:

• Creating high-quality and robust digital electronics designs
• Documenting and recording deliverables 
• Supporting integration & verification activities at hardware and system level 
• Keeping designs under configuration control
• Providing progress reports 

Work Experience

Skills, Qualifications and Experience required:

Essential

• Degree or equivalent in Electronics Engineering or other STEM-based subject
• Proven Expertise designing high-speed digital electronics using the latest FPGA and/ or microprocessor devices and high-speed interconnect technology
• Proficient in schematic capture using Mentor Graphics (Siemens EDA) DxDesigner or similar tools
• Experience of high-speed serial communication interfaces/ protocols (e.g. PCIe, Ethernet/ IEEE802.3, SPI, I2C, etc.) and high-speed bus architectures (e.g. DDR3/4)
• Use of high-speed digital design techniques such as signal termination, controlled impedance, matched length tracking, ground/ power planes, decoupling, etc. 
• Functional simulation & timing analysis /constraints at circuit level
• Experience of PCB layout, working closely with and providing guidance to PCB layout engineers on high-speed digital designs
• Hands on experience of integrating hardware, firmware & software on FPGA and microprocessor-based PCA’s
• Ability to coordinate day to day technical activities, liaising closely with the lead engineer / digital hardware lead & other engineering disciplines
• Experience of liaising with Manufacturing / Production colleagues and external suppliers of key components and assemblies
• Excellent communication (oral & written) & interpersonal skills
• Ability to analyse system requirements and derive detailed hardware requirements
• Experience of debugging & testing new hardware designs 
• Previous experience of the full hardware design lifecycle and presenting designs for peer and formal design reviews
• Self-motivated, with an aptitude to problem solve and drive difficult issues to conclusion
• Experience in writing technical reports / documentation

Desirable

• Relevant experience in the Aerospace/ Defence industry or on other complex/ high-reliability systems
• Experience of signal integrity & power integrity analysis at board level using Hyperlynx SI/PI or equivalent
• Knowledge of FPGA/ Software coding languages (VHDL, C, Assembler)
• Experience of hardware requirements capture, requirements management tools and formal verification of hardware requirements
• Experience of supervising other digital hardware engineers, planning and managing work for yourself and a small team 

Qualifications

• Honours or Masters degree in Electronics Engineering or related STEM subject 

Security

• Due to security requirements, these roles are open to SOLE UK NATIONALS ONLY

Looking to build software that powers real-world security systems? Join a forward-thinking team developing next-generation radar technology used in over 35 countries for border surveillance, perimeter protection, and critical infrastructure security.

You’ll work on everything from embedded radar software to advanced control interfaces, developing new capabilities, improving user experiences, and integrating with third-party surveillance platforms. This is a great opportunity for a curious and capable software engineer ready to take on exciting technical challenges in a multidisciplinary environment.
 
What You’ll Be Doing:

• Design and develop software across a range of radar systems and interfaces
• Build integrations with third-party surveillance and security platforms
• Enhance system usability and improve user experiences
• Help evolve the team’s engineering practices and techniques

What We’re Looking For:

• 2+ years’ experience in software development
• Strong understanding of object-oriented programming
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Problem-solver with a creative, analytical mindset
• Comfortable engaging with end users and stakeholders

It’d Be Great If You Also Have Some Of The Following:

• Degree in software, engineering, or a software-focused science field
• C++, Python, or similar programming languages
• Experience with SQL databases, GIS data, or UI/UX best practices
• Familiarity with real-time systems, embedded Linux, or machine learning
• Background in security/defence or command & control software
• Willingness to travel for occasional project work (UK & international)

If you’re ready to make a direct impact on cutting-edge surveillance technologies and work alongside a team of expert engineers, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today!
 

Are you ready to take the lead in developing cutting-edge embedded software solutions for next-generation Electronic Warfare systems? We’re seeking a Principal / Lead Software Engineer to play a pivotal role in driving innovative and mission-critical solutions.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced engineer to combine hands-on development with leadership, guiding a multidisciplinary team and delivering robust embedded solutions in a high-integrity environment.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of engineers
• Take ownership of project planning, technical reviews, and reporting
• Drive all phases of the software lifecycle: requirements, design, implementation, testing, and integration
• Develop embedded software using RTOSs such as VxWorks or embedded Linux
• Deploy software across multi-core or distributed hardware platforms
• Collaborate closely with hardware and firmware teams to deliver integrated systems
• Follow standards such as RTCA DO-178C and MISRA C/C++ for airborne software development
• Contribute to design reviews, gate reviews, and agile development ceremonies

What You’ll Bring:

• Strong experience with C++(14 or above)
• Proficiency in UML and Object-Oriented Design techniques
• Deep understanding of the full software lifecycle in regulated environments
• Experience working in Agile environments (e.g. Scrum), with tools like Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and GitLab
• Exposure to airborne software standards such as RTCA DO-178C DAL C or similar
• Ability to communicate effectively and influence technical direction

 
Bonus Skills:

• Familiarity with tools like Matlab Simulink, Cameo, DOORS, or Dimensions
• Previous experience in systems requiring high design assurance and real-time performance
• Capability to operate as a technical authority or team lead

Requirements:

• Degree in Software, Electronics, or another STEM-based discipline
• Must be a UK national and eligible for full UK security clearance

Join a dynamic, forward-thinking team where you can lead innovative projects, grow technically, and contribute to the future of electronic warfare systems.

Apply now and help shape the next generation of mission-critical defence technology.

Are you ready to take the lead in developing cutting-edge embedded software solutions for next-generation Electronic Warfare systems? We’re seeking a Principal / Lead Software Engineer to play a pivotal role in driving innovative and mission-critical solutions.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced engineer to combine hands-on development with leadership, guiding a multidisciplinary team and delivering robust embedded solutions in a high-integrity environment.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of engineers
• Take ownership of project planning, technical reviews, and reporting
• Drive all phases of the software lifecycle: requirements, design, implementation, testing, and integration
• Develop embedded software using RTOSs such as VxWorks or embedded Linux
• Deploy software across multi-core or distributed hardware platforms
• Collaborate closely with hardware and firmware teams to deliver integrated systems
• Follow standards such as RTCA DO-178C and MISRA C/C++ for airborne software development
• Contribute to design reviews, gate reviews, and agile development ceremonies

What You’ll Bring:

• Strong experience with C++(14 or above)
• Proficiency in UML and Object-Oriented Design techniques
• Deep understanding of the full software lifecycle in regulated environments
• Experience working in Agile environments (e.g. Scrum), with tools like Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and GitLab
• Exposure to airborne software standards such as RTCA DO-178C DAL C or similar
• Ability to communicate effectively and influence technical direction

 
Bonus Skills:

• Familiarity with tools like Matlab Simulink, Cameo, DOORS, or Dimensions
• Previous experience in systems requiring high design assurance and real-time performance
• Capability to operate as a technical authority or team lead

Requirements:

• Degree in Software, Electronics, or another STEM-based discipline
• Must be a UK national and eligible for full UK security clearance

Join a dynamic, forward-thinking team where you can lead innovative projects, grow technically, and contribute to the future of electronic warfare systems.

Apply now and help shape the next generation of mission-critical defence technology.

Are you an experienced Programme Manager with a passion for leading complex, high-impact projects within the defence or aerospace sector? We’re looking for a driven and strategic Programme Manager to take ownership of a key customer-facing programme within the Land sector. This is a pivotal opportunity to shape the success of multiple international projects from design through to delivery.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Land Programme Manager, you will oversee a programme comprising several concurrent projects, each at different stages of their lifecycle. Your leadership will ensure successful planning, execution and stakeholder engagement, all while aligning with commercial objectives and ensuring robust risk and resource management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate multiple projects within a major Land sector programme
• Ensure integrated planning, risk management and resourcing across departments
• Drive delivery against profit, revenue and growth targets
• Participate in bid and proposal planning, estimating PM labour, and scheduling
• Launch and oversee R&D and customer contracts from inception to closure
• Liaise with engineering and functional leads to ensure technical and resource alignment
• Provide high-level project board communication and strategic stakeholder engagement
• Manage reporting on financials (revenue, cash-flow, margin forecasts, etc.)
• Mentor and support project managers while overseeing PM staffing needs

What We’re Looking For:

Essential:

• Proven experience managing international defence/aerospace programmes
• Strong commercial acumen and stakeholder engagement skills
• Recognised project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, APM)
• Experience leading high-performing teams in a fast-paced, collaborative setting
• Engineering background and understanding of complex systems
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally

Desirable:

• Degree in business, project management, or a related field

Personal Attributes:

• Analytical and strategic thinker with strong leadership skills
• Resilient, adaptable, and solutions-oriented
• Collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates values of Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Courage

What’s on Offer:

• Hybrid / flexible working arrangements
• Early finish on Fridays
• 28 days annual leave + Christmas closure + holiday purchase scheme
• Group pension plan (matched up to 5%)
• Income protection & life assurance
• Remote GP access, mental health support, physiotherapy services
• EV salary sacrifice scheme
• Discounts on gym memberships, high street retailers, and more
• Access to learning & development resources
• Onsite free parking

Security Requirements: Due to the nature of the role, candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance. This includes proof of identity, right to work in the UK, and five years of UK residency.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Digital Hardware Engineer to join a leading high-tech R&D team developing cutting-edge technologies. You’ll play a key role in designing highly reliable digital and mixed-signal electronics for advanced space systems, working alongside a multidisciplinary team of engineers.

You will take full ownership of the entire development lifecycle of electronic boards for phased array antennas, from initial requirements through to design, testing, and integration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and test digital and mixed-signal electronics for space-based phased array antenna systems
• Lead architecture definition, circuit design, component selection, PCB layout, board bring-up, and integration
• Collaborate closely with system, antenna, RF, mechanical, and control engineering teams
• Optimize designs for reliability, size, weight, and BOM cost
• Produce clear technical documentation and support manufacturing processes

What We’re Looking For:

• MSc or equivalent in Electronic Engineering or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in high-speed digital hardware design, preferably for space applications
• Strong knowledge of architecture definition, digital electronics, and multi-gigabit interfaces
• Proven experience testing and verifying high-speed digital designs through to production
• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB design tools (Altium preferred)
• Confident working with test equipment such as oscilloscopes and digital analysers
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a collaborative, team-oriented approach

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with FPGA tools (Vivado, Quartus) and hardware design languages (VHDL, Verilog)
• Knowledge of DSP, FPGA implementations, and PCB simulation tools (Ansys SIwave)
• Experience with microcontrollers and embedded hardware

Why Apply?
This is a fantastic opportunity to work on groundbreaking space technologies within a collaborative and innovative engineering environment, with the chance to take full technical ownership of your designs.

Ready to take your hardware expertise to the next level? Apply now!

An established design and manufacturing business supplying advanced technology to the defence industry is seeking a Configuration Engineer. This role supports the implementation of a new ERP system by restructuring and migrating Engineering and Production data, ensuring accurate and consistent part numbering, BOM integrity, and data readiness for production.

Key Responsibilities for Configuration Engineer

• Cleanse and migrate existing parts and BOMs to a new numbering scheme, including normalising part data and restructuring BOMs.
• Process Change Requests (CRs) and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) to align with ERP system requirements.
• Reformat and restructure BOMs and part data for direct ERP import compatibility.
• Verify the integrity of parts and BOMs during cleansing, restructuring, and final import.
• Generate ERP support documentation as required.
• Manage design data to ensure consistent build data creation.
• Lead production readiness reviews to ensure a smooth handover from Engineering to Production.

Skills and Experience – Essential for Configuration Engineer

• Strong understanding of best practices in part numbering and BOM structures, supported by practical experience in data migration.
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems in engineering and production environments within SMEs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Relevant engineering or manufacturing qualifications (Degree, HND, BTEC Level 5 Award, or NVQ Level 5 equivalent).
• Proven experience in engineering and production environments.
• Effective communication and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Skills and Experience – Desirable for Configuration Engineer

• Experience with Epicor ERP systems.
• Experience using Jira and Confluence.

Personal Attributes of Configuration Engineer

• Highly organised and methodical approach with strong attention to detail.
• Flexible, conscientious, and diligent attitude.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and written skills.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities.

Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• 28 days annual leave plus Christmas closure and holiday purchase scheme.
• Group pension plan with matched contributions 

Application Process
Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance. Proof of identity, employment history, right to work in the UK, and residency status will be required.

Holt Executive are currently partnered with a leading global satellite operator, delivering secure voice and high-speed data communications to broadcast, telecom, corporate, and government customers around the world. Their Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network is set to revolutionize global broadband connectivity, and we’re supporting their search for a Configuration Management Specialist to join the team.

In this role, you’ll support a ground-breaking LEO satellite program, managing system configuration and documentation across hardware, software, and systems. You’ll work closely with the Systems Engineering and Integration, Verification & Validation teams, ensuring that the program’s technical baseline is fully traceable, documented, and audit-ready.

Key Responsibilities:

System Configuration Management

• Maintain and control configuration baselines across HW and SW environments.
• Act as the owner of all documentation defining configuration and verification status.
• Track “as-built” configurations and enforce single-source-of-truth practices.
• Use CM tools for configuration identification, control, status accounting, audits, and releases.
• Collaborate with engineering and program teams to manage data integrity.
• Understand and follow ITAR compliance processes.

System Document & Requirements Management

• Track delivery schedules for internal and vendor technical documentation (e.g. TRDs, IRDs, ICDs, CDRLs, SDRLs).
• Ensure timely release and version control of all system-level technical data.
• Resolve document/data issues and provide clear reporting to program management.
• Support configuration verification during major program milestones and reviews.

Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s or College Degree in Engineering, Science, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in a multi-disciplinary engineering environment.
• Familiarity with Configuration Management standards and tools.
• Strong documentation and version control discipline.
• Experience in Data or Configuration Management (2+ years preferred).
• Experience working alongside HW, SW, Systems, and Test teams.

Why Apply?

This is your opportunity to play a vital role in one of the most ambitious and technically exciting satellite programs in the world. The position offers a hybrid working model, career growth, and the chance to be part of a forward-thinking team committed to redefining global connectivity.

Clearance: Must be eligible for Canadian Reliability Clearance / Controlled Goods Program

Software Developer 

Holt Executive are partnered with a global Satellite and Space leader that provides reliable and secure satellite-delivered voice and high-speed data communications solutions to broadcast, telecommunications, corporate and government customers worldwide. They are now developing a LEO constellation that will revolutionize global broadband connectivity for enterprise.

Our partner is seeking a Software Developer to play a vital role in development, productization, and maintenance of the constellation system model.    

Key Responsibilities for the Software Developer:

• Support in the software development of the System Model suite, with a focus on improving its ability as an operational production engine across both Cloud and on-premise environments.
• Work cross-functionally with systems engineering, product owners, software architects, and the test team to gather and review requirements, and deliver successful software solutions.  
• Collaborate closely with the software architect to provide technical leadership within the team.
• Support and participate in all aspects of software development including requirements analysis, design, implementation, review, testing and maintenance.
• Creation of technical documentation for both internal team stakeholders, and wider company stakeholders.

Key Skills & Experience for the Software Developer:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years professional experience within software development/engineering.
• Experience in C++ (v20 preferred), Golang, SQL, Python, Bash, Java Spring.
• Experience with Kubernetes and developing Helm charts, Terraform, Packer, Ansible, containerization & secret management (Azure Key Vault, Hashicorp Vault).
• Experience with Azure Cloud technologies such as Azure fundamentals, Azure Identity and Access Management, Azure Networking.
• Experience with DevOps technologies such as Gitlab CI/CD, and experience in automating end-to-end deployments.
• Agile development experience.
• Experience in satellite and/or communications systems is an advantage.

The successful candidate must be able to work in Canada and be able to obtain a Reliability Clearance.
 
This opportunity offers a hybrid work model with 4 days in the office per week.
 
If your skills and experience match this Software Developer opportunity, we encourage you to apply now!