FPGA Design Engineer, Senior

Overview

The FPGA Design Engineer, Senior is responsible for the design, development, integration, testing, and troubleshooting of advanced radar systems supporting missile seeker technologies.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, integrate, and test FPGA-based digital systems for aerospace, defense, and advanced technology applications.

Develop, modify, and maintain FPGA firmware using Verilog, VHDL, and other Hardware Description Languages (HDLs).

Create and execute simulation and verification test benches to validate FPGA designs and ensure compliance with system requirements.

Perform FPGA synthesis, timing analysis, debugging, and optimization to achieve performance, resource utilization, and reliability objectives.

Integrate FPGA firmware with hardware components, embedded processors, and software applications.

Design and implement communication interfaces and protocols including RS-232, RS-422, UART, SPI, I2C, and other serial communication standards.

Utilize FPGA development and verification tools such as Xilinx Vivado, Altera/Intel Quartus, Synplify, ModelSim, Verdi, and related environments.

Support laboratory integration, hardware bring-up, system verification, and troubleshooting activities.

Analyze existing firmware and hardware designs to reverse engineer functionality and develop architectural documentation and block diagrams.

Develop and implement Digital Signal Processing (DSP) functions including filters, FFTs, modulation/demodulation, and error-correction algorithms.

Collaborate with systems, hardware, software, and test engineers to ensure successful system integration and performance.

Support technical reviews, design documentation, test planning, and customer presentations.

Evaluate emerging FPGA technologies, tools, and design methodologies to improve system capabilities and development efficiency.

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers as needed.

Other responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Education Requirements and Desired Skillsets

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical discipline.

Minimum of 10 years of experience in FPGA design, digital systems development, or related engineering fields.

Extensive experience developing FPGA designs using Verilog, VHDL, and HDL-based design methodologies.

Strong understanding of digital logic design, digital electronics, and FPGA architectures.

Experience with FPGA simulation, verification, timing analysis, and hardware integration.

Proficiency using FPGA development tools such as Xilinx Vivado, Intel/Altera Quartus, Synplify, ModelSim, Verdi, or equivalent.

Thorough knowledge of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) concepts, algorithms, and implementation techniques.

Experience implementing, troubleshooting communication protocols including RS-232, RS-422, UART, SPI, and I2C.

Experience integrating FPGA firmware with embedded hardware, software applications, and system-level components.

Ability to analyze technical requirements and develop innovative engineering solutions.

Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

U.S. Citizenship with Active Secret Security clearance and ability to maintain the designated security clearance level is required.

Physical Description

Employees in these positions will function in a general office/cubicle setting environment, and laboratory/testing setting using standard office equipment and various electronic testing equipment, including a computer, telephone, printers, video equipment, computer software, and testing equipment. Will interact in a general office setting environment with various personnel; participate in meetings and contribute to team success; deliver timely results and produce reports; receive and communicate information; may include telework. May function in a specialized laboratory/testing environment using electronic testing equipment, computer software, and complex systems. May move and test equipment of various weights. Laboratory environment may require use of protective equipment (PPE) including but not limited to safety glasses and protective hearing and footwear. May be expected to work varying shifts and hours to ensure successful operation of activities in the organization due to business demands; travel occasionally for assigned work.