FPGA Engineer

Working arrangements

Please note this role does offer hybrid working, our model sets out a minimum 60% onsite / 40% home working split

Part time working or job share options will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop FPGA-based devices for energising, protecting, and controlling superconducting magnets.
• Design peripheral electronics such as amplifiers, ADCs, DACs, memory, etc.
• Leading development of a modular HDL framework for real-time control and data acquisition, including validation experiments and end user integration
• Taking ownership of hardware prototype development, liaising with Electronics and PCB engineers
• Produce documentation to communicate design intent and build business knowledge
• Supporting/mentoring colleagues in writing HDL and working with FPGAs
• Ensure magnet development projects stay focussed to deliver against the defined SMART objectives of the project.
• Liaise with project and program managers as requested.
• Support commercialisation of the company’s HTS magnet technology

Requirements

• RTL designs in VHDL/Verilog with examples of using AXI4 interfaces (Full, Lite, Stream).

• Verification methodology, e.g. UVM, UVVM, OSVVM.
• C/C++ for embedded systems and object-oriented programming.
• Using source control (e.g. Git), CI/CD, code analysis, and benchmarking tools.
• Design of interfaces for ADCs and DACs with sample rates of at least 100kps per channel.
• Understanding and some experience of using linear control theory to tune closed-loop systems.
• Skills in using lab equipment, in particular soldering equipment, oscilloscopes, signal generators, network analysers.
• Extracting and processing data from instruments for analysis.
• Good communicator with ability to work cross functionally in a collaborative manner as required to support the R&D activities and program delivery.
• Experience in presenting information to a non-specialist (but still technical) audience, with skills in manipulating and displaying data .
• High degree of self-organisation, motivation, and commitment to working to defined timescales

Desirable Experience

• Experience with Simulink Embedded and HDL Coders
• Experience with other programming languages, e.g. Rust, Python
• Understanding of electric power conversion (ac-dc, dc-dc, dc-ac)
• Knowledge of power electronics
• Embedded Linux experience with Arm-based processors
• Networking for real-time applications
• Experience with complex build tools

Benefits

• Salary dependent on skills and experience and will be discussed from the outset
• 28 days (inclusive of festive break) holiday plus bank holidays
• Eligible for discretionary performance related bonus
• Share options scheme
• Pension scheme
• Financial benefits – including; group life insurance, critical illness, health cash plan and discount scheme 
• Innovation and Merit bonuses
• Investment in training and development to support career progression
• Opportunity to work on and contribute to world class innovation 

Hazard-specific / Safety-critical duties

This job includes the following hazards or safety-critical activities which will require successful pre-employment health screening through our occupational health service before the successful candidate will be allowed to start work:

• Driving on Company business.
• Working with electricity (LV and SELV).
• Working with or in the vicinity of equipment that produces high magnetic fields.
• Working with cryogenic fluids (liquid nitrogen).
• Travel outside of Europe or North America on company business.

About Us

What if there was a limitless, safe, clean, low-cost energy source, providing much needed global energy security? What if that energy source could also help reduce climate change? We believe that’s fusion energy. Tokamak Energy is a leading global commercial fusion energy company based near Oxford, UK. We have an unrivalled track record designing and operating spherical tokamaks; the optimal route to commercial fusion energy.

In addition to fusion energy, Tokamak Energy is recognised as the leader in High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) magnet, design, numerical modelling, and prototyping. Our dedicated HTS magnet team, in collaboration with key manufacturing partners, is focussed on becoming the leading supplier of HTS magnets to multiple markets.

The company, founded in 2009 as a spin-off from the UK’s Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, currently employs a growing team of over 250 people with experts from the UK and around the world. It combines world leading scientific, engineering, industrial and commercial capabilities. The company has 70 families of patent applications and has raised $250 million, comprising $200m from private investors and $50m from the UK and US governments. Our US subsidiary, Tokamak Energy Inc, was established in 2019.

Come and be a part of a dynamic and innovative team who are striving to provide a solution to one of humanity’s greatest challenges: clean and sustainable energy for all.

Important information

Please note that any personal data submitted to Tokamak Energy will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation.

If you do not meet all the listed criteria for this position, we would still welcome your application.

Entry into employment with Tokamak Energy and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration.

No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.