FPGA Engineer (Power Supplies)

Diamond Light Source; Harwell; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A national synchrotron facility in Harwell is seeking a skilled FPGA Engineer for a 3-year contract, focusing on developing firmware for high-energy power supplies in the Diamond-II upgrade project. Candidates should possess a relevant Engineering or Science degree and have practical HDL development experience, ideally with Xilinx FPGAs. This position offers a hybrid working arrangement and a comprehensive benefits package, including 26 days of annual leave and options for flexible hours.

Benefits

26 days annual leave

Flexible working hours

Defined benefit pension scheme

Access to on-site amenities

Qualifications

• Proven practical experience in an industrial or scientific environment relevant to this position.
• Strong experience with HDL development tools.
• Ability to design and integrate interfaces to peripherals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and debug HDL code for Xilinx FPGAs.
• Test and verify FPGA designs through simulations.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers for performance optimization.

Skills

HDL firmware development for FPGAs

Simulation and verification tools

Version control systems

Microcontrollers and programming languages

Linear control systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or Science

Tools

Vivado

LTspice

PSpice

Simscape

Job description

Harwell, Oxfordshire

As standard this role offers a hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of 4 days working onsite per week.

About Us

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron; a huge scientific facility designed to produce very intense beams of X-rays, infrared and ultraviolet light. Our scientists use the light to study a vast range of subject matter, from new medicines and treatments for disease to innovative engineering and cutting-edge technology.

At Diamond we are currently undertaking a major upgrade of the facility, known as Diamond-II. Diamond-II will combine a new machine and new beamlines with a comprehensive series of upgrades to optics, detectors, sample environments, sample delivery capabilities and computing, which will ultimately generate an even more brilliant light source at a higher energy.

About the Role

We now have an opportunity for a FPGA Engineer to join our team, for a 3-year fixed term contract, in developing FPGA firmware for the next generation of power supplies for the Diamond-II upgrade project, focusing on quality, reliability, and stability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and debug HDL code for Xilinx FPGAs in Vivado, implementing full-cycle firmware for Diamond magnet power supplies, including feedback control, filtering, and interlock handling using state machines.
• Design and integrate interfaces to peripherals such as ADCs, DACs, SRAM, Flash memory, sensors, and microcontrollers.
• Test and verify FPGA designs through simulation test benches and on-hardware validation using logic analysers.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers and the Control Group to optimise performance, resolve issues, and develop reliable Ethernet-based control interfaces.
• Review, refactor, and document HDL code in line with Diamond standards, ensuring proper version control and maintainability.
• Contribute to electronic circuit design, simulation (SPICE, MATLAB), PCB design, and prototype testing to support FPGA-based control system development.

About You

You will hold an appropriate Engineering or Science degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) or possess equivalent experience, with proven practical experience in an industrial or scientific environment relevant to this position.

You will also demonstrate:

• A solid theoretical and practical knowledge of HDL firmware development for FPGAs (preferably Xilinx), using VHDL or Verilog.
• Strong experience with simulation, verification, and validation tools for FPGA code.
• Experience of using code management, version control, and repository tools.
• Basic knowledge of electrical and electronic circuit principles, laboratory-based testing and measurement techniques, and the use of electronic circuit simulation software such as LTspice, PSpice, or Simscape.
• Familiarity with microcontrollers, microprocessors, and programming languages including C, C++, or Python.
• Basic knowledge of linear control systems.
• A self-motivated approach, demonstrating the ability to drive projects to completion, with meticulous attention to detail and a willingness to travel occasionally within the UK and overseas.

Benefits

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

To Apply

Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.

***AS PART OF YOUR APPLICATION, YOU MUST COMPLETE THE MANDATORY APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE AND ATTACH IT UNDER THE 'PUBLICATIONS LIST / ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS' SECTION. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT THE COMPLETED APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED***

This role doesn't meet the criteria for visa sponsorship except for people already sponsored before 04/04/24 or meeting new entrant criteria- www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

The closing date for applications is 25th January 2026, however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.