Alpha Data | FPGA
Firmware Engineer (AD-ENG16)

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Careers at Alpha Data
Firmware Engineer
Vacancy Code: AD-ENG16
Who We Are
For over three decades, Alpha Data has empowered leading aerospace and defence (A&D) and data centre acceleration customers with cutting-edge computing solutions. From our locations in the UK and USA, we bring the inherent cost savings and accelerated time-to-market of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products to customers around the world. Our highly skilled design team also specializes in customising these COTS solutions to meet our customer’s unique and challenging requirements, ensuring we succeed together!
The Role
We seek a talented early career firmware/software engineer to join us onsite in our UK Edinburgh office to design, develop, deploy, and maintain software/firmware for: FPGAs, microcontrollers, embedded processors, and host systems.
The role will be technically challenging with opportunities for growth of technical skills spanning multiple programming languages, technologies, and operating systems.
In addition to the technical side, the role is likely to include customer facing interactions (requirements, delivery, and support), project self-management, and teamwork.
Principally the role is onsite.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
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Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
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Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain firmware for FPGAs, microcontrollers, and embedded processors.
- Design, implement, and maintain software components, including device drivers and supporting tools for customer applications.
- Debug, test, and validate software and firmware to ensure reliability and performance.
- Respond to and resolve customer support requests relating to software and firmware issues.
- Collaborate with hardware and systems engineers to ensure effective integration of software and electronic systems.
- Contribute to code quality through documentation, code reviews, and adherence to development standards.
- Support the development of example designs and reference implementations for customers.
Requirements
Qualifications
- BSc/BEng in Electronics and Software Engineering (or higher).
- or
- Apprenticeship degree (SCQF Level 10/11) in related industry with experience using AMD SoC and FPGAs, and software engineering (or higher).
Experience
- 2+ years’ experience in relevant industry.
Technical Skills
Essential
- AMD/Xilinx FPGAs/SoCs, including use of Vivado Design Suite
- C and/or C++
- VHDL and/or Verilog + Vivado IPI
- Version control (Subversion, Git etc)


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Desirable
- Debugging Software and FPGA firmware
- Code Review
- Test Design
- Java (JDK Console or GUI Applications)
Soft Skills
- Peer communication
- Self-management
Other
Due to the nature of our customer projects, applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK security vetting, including BPSS and, where required, Security Check (SC) clearance
What We Offer
At Alpha Data, we believe in investing in our people. We offer:
- A competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies and challenging projects that make a real impact.
- A collaborative and supportive work environment with a focus on continuous learning and professional growth.
- Exposure to diverse and high-demand markets including high-performance computing, aerospace, and defence.
- The chance to be part of a company with a long-standing reputation for innovation and excellence.
How to Apply
If you are a passionate Engineer looking to make a significant contribution to world-leading technology, we encourage you to apply! Please complete our application form, which can be found here.
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