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Senior Firmware Engineer (FPGA) (m/f/d) – Medical Devices

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Before you apply
LocationErlangen, Germany
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SenioritySenior
Experience6+ yrs
DepartmentSurgical R&D Engineering
Company size10,000+ people
First seenSep 10, 2026 · 1mo ago
Verified live3d ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
6+ years of FPGA/firmware development experience
Fluent English language skills
Intermediate German language skills
Strong expertise in FPGA development using VHDL/SystemVerilog and FPGA SoCs (e.g., Xilinx)
Experience with hardware-firmware integration, system-level debugging, and laboratory validation environments
Programming skills in C/C++ and Python
Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments and collaborating with distributed, multi-location engineering teams
Experience in regulated or safety-critical industries such as medical devices, automotive, or aerospace
Familiarity with medical device firmware development lifecycle processes
Experience with video/image processing pipelines and high-speed interfaces (e.g., LVDS, CoaXPress)
Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing environments, and advanced hardware debugging
Residence within commuting distance of the Erlangen site or willingness to relocate
Skills
VHDL
SystemVerilog
FPGA SoCs
Xilinx
C/C++
Python
Agile/Scrum
CI/CD
LVDS
CoaXPress
HIL testing
Benefits
Professional development
About the company
At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you’ll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers. We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon.
WaveLight GmbH in Erlangen is a world leader in the development and production of innovative laser systems for use in eye surgery. WaveLight’s laser and diagnostic systems enable highly precise and minimally invasive correction of refractive errors. Since 2009, WaveLight has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Alcon, a leading global ophthalmic company.
About the role
As a Senior Firmware Engineer (FPGA)(m/f/d) supporting our Surgical R&D Engineering Organization, you will contribute to the development of FPGA-based firmware solutions for advanced ophthalmic surgical systems in Erlangen, Germany. You will work closely with hardware, software, and system engineering teams to deliver innovative, high-quality, and regulatory-compliant medical devices that improve patients’ vision and quality of life.
In this role, a typical day will include:
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Developing FPGA firmware architecture, requirements, and technical designs for cutting-edge surgical vision care systems
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Designing and implementing FPGA firmware using VHDL and/or SystemVerilog, including deterministic and timing-critical functions such as video processing pipelines and control logic
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Supporting hardware-firmware integration activities and collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure robust system performance
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Defining and executing verification and validation activities while maintaining coding standards, quality gates, and firmware development best practices
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Supporting CI/CD workflows, lab validation activities, AI-enabled engineering processes, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring compliance with medical device development standards and lifecycle processes
WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO ALCON:
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Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
•
6+ years of FPGA/firmware development experience
•
Fluent English and intermediate German language skills
•
Residence within commuting distance of the Erlangen site or willingness to relocate
•
Strong expertise in FPGA development using VHDL/SystemVerilog and FPGA SoCs (e.g., Xilinx)
•
Experience with hardware-firmware integration, system-level debugging, and laboratory validation environments
•
Programming skills in C/C++ and Python
•
Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments and collaborating with distributed, multi-location engineering teams
NICE TO HAVE:
•
Experience in regulated or safety-critical industries such as medical devices, automotive, or aerospace
•
Familiarity with medical device firmware development lifecycle processes
•
Experience with video/image processing pipelines and high-speed interfaces (e.g., LVDS, CoaXPress)
•
Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing environments, and advanced hardware debugging
HOW YOU CAN THRIVE AT ALCON:
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Contribute to breakthrough technologies that help surgeons improve patients’ vision around the world
•
Work on complex technical challenges in a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment
•
Enjoy professional development opportunities, technical growth, and the chance to influence next-generation medical device innovation
Alcon Careers
See your impact at: https://alcon.com/careers
Hiring process
ACHTUNG: Wenn Sie derzeit ein aktiver Mitarbeiter (intern oder extern über Zeitarbeit bzw. Dienstleister) bei Alcon sind, klicken Sie bitte auf den entsprechenden Link unten, um sich auf der internen Karriereseite zu bewerben. Vielen Dank.
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