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Saab Global
Installation in HQ

Hardware Firmware Design Engineer

Centurion,
South Africa
Closing date: 29 May 2025

We have a vacancy for an Experienced Firmware & Digital Hardware Design Engineer in the Hardware Engineering Group. We are looking for someone who is proficient in firmware development (HDL compiled for FPGA’s), hardware development, testing and integration.

Your role

  • Develop common and reusable HDL library building blocks based on industry standards (VHDL).

  • Design of high-speed digital hardware using technologies such FPGA SOC’s.

  • Design of test environments using tools such as Modelsim.

  • Create and maintain development documentation according to the hardware development process (Requirements, Design Descriptions and Test Documentation).

  • Configuration and version control of the baselines using GIT.

  • Interface with project management team and provide feedback on progress and schedule.

Typical design technologies utilized are:

  • Xilinx, Microsemi, Intel/Altera FPGA and SOC’s.

  • Highspeed serial interfaces.

  • CAN interfaces

  • PCIe interfaces

  • Gigabit Ethernet

  • DDR Memory

Typical tools utilized are:

  • Vivado, LiberoSoC and Quartus Prime

  • HDL Designer

  • ModelSim and QuestaSim

  • HyperLynx

  • Mentor Designer

  • LTSpice (analog simulations).

  • DOORS for requirement capturing.

Skills:

  • Firmware with the focus on radar and electronic warfare.

  • High-speed A2D interfacing to FPGAs, transceivers.

  • Xilinx RFSOC.

  • Analog design

  • Fibre communication.

  • EMI design concepts.

Your profile

Required knowledge:

  • Leadership: Guiding and mentoring junior engineers, making decisions, and driving the project forward.

  • Working Autonomously: Being self-reliant in solving complex problems without constant supervision.

  • Forthcoming: Proactively sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback with the team.

  • Oral and Written Communication: Effectively conveying technical concepts and project updates to stakeholders.

  • Enthusiasm: Showing a genuine passion for engineering and staying motivated in challenging situations.

  • Meeting Deadlines: Prioritizing tasks effectively and managing time to ensure project milestones are met.

Practical Experience:

  • 5 years’ experience in firmware or hardware design (HDL) will be a advantage.

  • Design documentation (Requirement capture to Testing capture)

  • FPGA based high-speed hardware design.

  • Firmware (VHDL) design and verification.

  • Hardware bring-up (Testing and debugging).

Person Specification:

  • Excellent interpersonal skills

  • Teamwork and collaboration.

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

  • Ability to prioritise and multi-task

  • Professionalism and strong work ethic

  • Oral and written communications skills 

Competencies:

  • Skilled in VHDL Coding and industry practices and standards.

  • FPGA based Hardware Design Experience.

  • Test, Integration and Debug skills.

Qualification:

  • B.Eng. Degree (Electronics)

  • Honours and Master will be an advantage

What you will be a part of

SGD has reinforced its position as a leading South African defence and security company, bringing capabilities including electronic warfare systems, sensor technology, training systems, avionics, security and support solutions to the African and international markets. These capabilities are supplied and supported over the air, land, sea and civil security domains.

With new and improved technological systems and solutions, SGD increases a country’s defence capabilities and provides innovative, effective products and services for those tasked to maintain security. The company also works with various stakeholders in gathering data and providing insight into how security threats evolve, and what the best market-customised solutions are.

If you aspire to help create and innovate whilst developing yourself in a challenging team setting, Saab may well have the perfect conditions for you to grow. We pride ourselves on a nurturing environment, where everyone is different yet we share the same goal – to help protect people.

SGD will give preference to South African citizens and we also welcome applications from individuals with culturally diverse backgrounds.

Please consider your application as unsuccessful if you have not received feedback from us within 30 days after the closing date.