Principal FPGA Engineer Rickmansworth, UK Engineering

Looking for your next career move in a company that’s shaping the future of satellite communications?

At ETL Systems, we’ve been leading the way in RF design and manufacturing for over 35 years. Our technology powers critical satellite communications infrastructure used by the top 20 satellite operators and teleports worldwide, and 75% of NATO governments rely on our equipment to help protect their citizens.

We’re not just growing, we’re thriving. With three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in International Trade, and recent acquisitions of Atlantic Microwave, SpacePath Communications, and IRT Technologies, we’ve expanded our capabilities across the full RF chain. This includes everything from antenna to modem, as well as high‑power amplifiers and RF test equipment.

What truly sets us apart is our culture.

We are proudly recognised as a Great Place to Work (2024, 2025 & 2026) and named Best Workplace in Manufacturing, Production and Transportation (2025). Our success is built on strong values that shape how we work and grow together:

• Collaboration: We work as one team, united in purpose and committed to shared success.
• Innovation: We embrace curiosity and forward‑thinking to drive meaningful progress.
• Excellence: We set ambitious standards and consistently deliver high‑quality outcomes.
• Integrity: We act ethically, honestly and with professionalism in everything we do.

If you’re looking to join a company where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a global impact, ETL Systems is the place for you

• 33 days’ holiday per year (including UK bank holidays), rising to 38 days over your first five years’ service.
• Company‑funded Health Cash Plan (helping with everyday healthcare costs).
• Annual Bonus & Salary Review.
• Company Pension.
• Career development and training for all roles.
• ETL Employee Wellbeing Support: free eye tests, free Employee Assistance Programme, GP anytime.
• ETL People Perks: discounts on shopping, holidays, gym membership, days out, cinema and dining.
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme.
• Free on‑site Employee Gym (Hfd HQ) and subsidised Gym memberships via People Perks
• Subsidised on‑site employee Café (Hfd HQ), with free refreshments for all employees
• Free onsite parking, car share scheme and EV charging.
• Casual Business Dress.
• Flexible Hours available with core hours Monday-Friday 8am-4pm (no weekends/evening)
• Annual company events.

Role Overview

• This is a senior technical role for an experienced FPGA engineer who thrives on solving complex digital IF and signal‑processing challenges.
• You will lead the architecture and development of FPGA‑based solutions that directly support ETL's expanding digital RF product portfolio.
• You'll work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, influence technical direction and help shape robust, scalable and high‑performance designs from concept through to verification and integration.
• The role offers the opportunity to combine hands‑on engineering with technical leadership, mentoring and continuous improvement in a business where your work has global impact.

The ideal candidate

• Has deep FPGA design and verification experience, ideally in digital IF, SDR, communications or DSP‑heavy systems.
• Is comfortable moving between architecture, HDL implementation, verification, hardware bring‑up and integration.
• Brings strong Linux, scripting and automation skills to improve repeatability, quality and team efficiency.
• Collaborates effectively across engineering disciplines and communicates complex ideas clearly to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrates ETL's values through collaborative working, innovative thinking, high standards of delivery and personal integrity.
• Enjoys coaching and developing others while remaining hands‑on and delivery focused.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the technical design and implementation of FPGA solutions for digital IF and related signal‑processing applications.
• Develop robust, maintainable HDL code and verification environments aligned to engineering best practice.
• Take ownership of simulation, synthesis, timing closure, hardware validation and design optimisation.
• Drive effective use of Linux‑based toolchains, TCL/IP‑core flows and build automation to support rapid, repeatable development.
• Support system integration and cross‑functional collaboration with hardware, software, systems and test teams.
• Contribute to innovation and continuous improvement by evaluating new approaches, tools and methods.
• Mentor junior engineers and help build technical capability, collaboration and excellence within the team.
• Act with integrity and accountability in technical decisions, documentation and delivery commitments.
• Experience with RFSOC / MPSOC platforms.
• Experience with Vita 49, DIFI, ORAN or similar SDR transport/network protocols.
• Knowledge of cocotb, Verilator or similar modern verification approaches.
• Experience in communications systems, 5G, modems, digital IF distribution, satcom or wider RF product development.
• Experience in C, C++, Rust or Python‑based tooling in mixed hardware/software environments.

Location

Hybrid working is available for this role. When on‑site you will be working from our R&D office in Rickmansworth—Before applying, please make sure you can commute to G Round Floor, Trinity Court, Suite C, Church St, Rickmansworth WD3 1RT

Closing date: At ETL, we always prioritise efficiency in everything we do. With this in mind, we are looking to commence our interview process without delay and reserve the right to close the opening early should we receive suitable applications.

BPSS Compliant: Due to the nature of our work, all roles require candidates to be BPSS compliant.

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