Senior FPGA Engineer
About Us
Diamond Light Source is one of the world’s most advanced scientific facilities. We’re home to the UK’s synchrotron light source – a giant microscope producing beams of light 10 billion times brighter than the sun. Probing the structure and composition of matter, our work drives innovation in everything from vaccines to nanotech.
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 Senior FPGA Engineer to support the FPGA systems that support the design, development and operation of the accelerators and/or beamlines on the Diamond Synchrotron Light source.
As a Senior FPGA Engineer, you have the chance to be part of this cutting-edge facility. Your role will involve FPGA and embedded system design and development for Diamond-II, Beam Diagnostics, and Controls. This includes working with internal customers from specification through to development and operations in a distributed, heterogeneous computing environment. Diamond utilizes the Vivado design suite for FPGA development, which offers advanced synthesis, place and route, and verification tools.
The team at Diamond are experienced in developing EPICS-based control systems, which are widely used for large-scale scientific instruments like particle accelerators and telescopes. Their expertise includes C/C++, Python, and SoC-based FPGA design and development.
For the right candidate, this position offers a relaxed environment filled with motivated individuals and comprehensive benefits. Diamond is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community.
About You
You will need to demonstrate a strong understanding of computing technology applied to real-time systems and excellent skills in embedded and digital design, along with a good honours degree, or equivalent in physics, electronic engineering, or computer science.
Along with Knowledge and experience in the following areas:
- High-speed digital electronics.
- High-speed FPGA design (preferably Xilinx)
- VHDL/Verilog
- Digital signal processing and the realisation of signal processing functionality in FPGAs
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.
The closing date for applications is 6th July 2025, however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.
Other information
Diamond is open to different ways of working and we are committed to supporting our employees to have more flexibility and autonomy over where, when and how long they work.
Where relevant, and possible for the role, we will consider flexible working arrangements, secondment and job share opportunities.
Diamond attracts talented individuals from around the world and currently employ 56 different nationalities. Reflecting trends in our sector we employ more men than women. Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from suitably qualified women.
If you are disabled and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know via the online application process.
Diamond are members of Working Families (the UK’s work-life balance organisation) and we have also achieved the Disability Confident Level Two award.