FPGA Architect

At CoMind, we are developing a non-invasive neuromonitoring technology that will result in a new era of clinical brain monitoring. In joining us, you will be helping to create cutting-edge technologies that will improve how we diagnose and treat brain disorders, ultimately improving and saving the lives of patients across the world.

The Role:

As the FPGA Architect, you will own the design, architecture, and development of the FPGA systems at the core of our neuromonitoring device. As a recognised Subject Matter Expert in FPGA design principles you'll build the real-time data acquisition, digital signal processing, and high-speed communication systems that turn optical signals into the physiological data clinicians depend on.

This is a senior technical role with full ownership — from early architecture decisions through to manufacturing release — working alongside electronics, software, mechanical, and optics engineers in a regulated medical device development environment.

You will be a key member of the Hardware Engineering team responsible for the hardware for CoMind's medical devices — from precision analogue circuits and high-speed digital systems, to FPGAs for data acquisition, control and signal processing, and PCB design through to mechanical enclosures, optical assemblies and consumable sensors.

At CoMind, all team members work at least 4 days per week in the office, plus a flexible work-from-home day. This role can be based in either the London (Kings Cross) or Bristol office.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end architecture, design, development, and verification of FPGA systems across the full product lifecycle

• Define FPGA system architecture from product and clinical requirements, including clocking, reset, memory, and interface strategies

• Select appropriate Xilinx FPGA/SoC platforms (e.g., Zynq, UltraScale+) and drive design trade-offs across performance, power, cost, and reliability

• Build real-time data acquisition pipelines, DSP subsystems, and high-speed communication interfaces in Verilog/VHDL

• Lead RTL design, microarchitecture definition, timing closure, and resource optimisation in Vivado

• Define and drive verification and validation strategy, including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and timing/power analysis

• Use Xilinx debugging tools (ILA, VIO, etc.) to support hardware bring-up and lab validation

• Collaborate cross-functionally with electronics, software, mechanical, and optics teams to integrate FPGA subsystems into the wider product

• Lead design reviews, architecture discussions, and technical risk assessments

• Ensure FPGA solutions are scalable, testable, and cost-effective for volume manufacturing

• Maintain design documentation and traceability in line with medical device regulatory requirements (FMEA, hazard analysis)

• Mentor engineers as the team grows

• AI is fundamental to our culture — it's not just a tool, but a core part of how we work, collaborate, and innovate. We expect all team members to embrace AI in their daily work and continuously find new ways to use it effectively.

Skills & Experience:

• 10+ years of FPGA development on products that made it to market

• Experience with safety-critical design practices, including single-fault failure analysis and fail-safe techniques

• Strong proficiency in Verilog or VHDL for RTL design

• Hands-on experience with Xilinx Vivado and Siemens’ QuestaSim (synthesis, implementation, simulation, and debug)

• Experience with high-speed interfaces such as JESD204B, PCIe, DDR, or high-speed serial transceivers up to 10Gbps lane rates

• Proven DSP implementation on FPGAs — filtering, spectral analysis, real-time processing

• Full FPGA lifecycle experience: architecture, design, verification, integration, and production support

• Experience bringing hardware from prototype to production

• Experience in medical device development or regulated industries (e.g. IEC 62304, ISO 13485 or other applicable standards)

Nice to have:

• Familiarity with optoelectronic systems or instrumentation

• Experience with Xilinx UltraScale+ or similar high-performance platforms

• Exposure to hardware control loops and real-time closed-loop systems

• Experience mentoring or technically leading other FPGA engineers

Benefits:

• Company equity plan so all employees share in the success of the company

• Salary-sacrifice pension scheme

• Private medical, dental and vision insurance (medical history disregarded)

• Group life assurance at 4x annual income

• Comprehensive mental health support, including unlimited access to 1:1 sessions with trained professionals

• Unlimited holiday allowance (+ bank holidays) and one week of remote working per quarter

• Lunch voucher (£10) every day for JustEat and free dinner on those days where you need to work later

• Twice weekly deliveries of fresh fruit and an extensive selection of snacks and drinks

• YuLife subscription, allowing you to turn your daily steps and meditation into discounts at a range of stores

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