FPGA Firmware Engineer (Toulouse, France) at Simera Sense

Founded in 2018, Simera Sense has rapidly established itself as a global leader in optical payload solutions for small satellites, serving more than 50 customers worldwide. Backed by a strong heritage in space imaging technologies, Simera Sense is shaping the future of Earth observation, Space Situational Awareness for next-generation defence and civilian space applications.

As part of our ambitious growth strategy, Simera Sense France – a wholly owned subsidiary of the Simera Sense Group headquartered in Leuven, Belgium – is expanding its Toulouse-based team and building a new manufacturing and innovation hub dedicated to our latest generation of optical payload products.

We are looking for a passionate and innovative FPGA Firmware Engineer to join us on this exciting journey.

This is a unique opportunity to become one of the founding members of our French engineering team and play a key role in developing cutting-edge space technologies. You will lead the design, development and validation of FPGA firmware for a new family of high-performance optical payloads serving both defence and civilian markets.

Working at the heart of an international and multidisciplinary environment, you will collaborate closely with electronics, systems, software, and mechanical engineers across our teams in Toulouse, Belgium, South Africa, and the UK.

Beyond the technical challenge, this role offers the rare opportunity to play a key role in the expansion of Simera Sense in France, contributing to the development of new capabilities, products, and engineering excellence while benefiting from the resources, expertise, and international reach of an established space company.

If you are motivated by technology, eager to make an impact, and excited by the prospect of developing space systems that will operate in orbit, we would love to hear from you.

In this role, you will contribute to the design, development, and validation of robust FPGA firmware designs that sit at the core of our next-generation products. You will work closely with electronics, systems, and mechanical engineers in an agile, collaborative environment where technical excellence and innovation are part of everyday work.

Position Type: Full-time

Remote Opportunity: Hybrid (1-2 days / week under approval)

Report To: Group Electro-optical and Embedded Systems Manager

Location: Toulouse, France

Job Purpose:

Design, develop, and maintain high-performance FPGA firmware for embedded systems, ensuring reliable operation and integration with advanced electro-optical components used in space missions.

Responsibilities:

Collaboration

• Work closely with hardware engineers to design and develop FPGA-based firmware
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including systems engineers, software developers, and project managers

Firmware Development

• Design and implement FPGA firmware for space-related electronic systems
• Develop software for embedded microcontrollers.

Testing and Debugging

• Conduct thorough testing and debugging of firmware to ensure optimal performance
• Utilise simulation tools and real-time testing environments to validate firmware functionality
• Use python scripting for testing and automation

Documentation

• Create detailed documentation for firmware designs, testing procedures and results.
• Maintain records of firmware versions and modifications

Innovation

• Participate in research and development activities to innovate new firmware solutions
• Explore new technologies and methodologies to enhance firmware performance and reliability

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Honours Degree in Engineering or Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Required Experience:

• 2 to 5 years of experience in FPGA-based firmware design, development, and testing.
• Experience in developing firmware for embedded systems based on FPGA platforms
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C and VHDL
• Experience in high-speed FPGA design using VHDL
• Experience with FPGA tools and platforms, such as Xilinx or Microchip
• Hands-on experience with testing and debugging firmware in real-time environments
• Experience in Python scripting
• Familiarity with simulation tools and hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Understanding of high-reliability design practices
• Experience working in cross-functional teams, including hardware engineers, software developers, and systems engineers
• Strong documentation skills for maintaining detailed records of firmware designs and modifications
• Master's Degree in Electronic Engineering
• Certifications in embedded systems, FPGA design, or related areas
• Familiarity with Microchip FPGA design tools
• Experience in CMOS sensor based electro-optical designs
• Understanding of radiation effects on electronics
• Experience in environmental testing and acceptance testing to high-quality standards
• Familiarity with Siemens Teamcenter

Recommendations:

What we offer:

• The opportunity to work in the fast-growing space industry.
• Niche global market for optical payloads for microsatellites.
• Cutting-edge technology at your fingertips
• A competitive salary
• A friendly working environment.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply now by submitting your CV.