FPGA Engineer

Leidos Holding$87K — $157K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering with 5+ years of experience, or a Master's with 3+ years
  • US Citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a Top Secret security clearance
  • Experience with FPGA testing in an electronics lab
  • Proficient in Vivado, Modelsim, or Riviera along with self-checking verification methods
  • Familiarity with electronics test equipment like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task
  • Experience working collaboratively in cross-functional R&D teams.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and test FPGA designs for sensor systems
  • Collaborate with multi-disciplined teams for DSP applications
  • Execute FPGA test plans and troubleshoot design issues
  • Support electrical engineering integration and testing activities
  • Design, simulate, and implement HDL test benches
  • Analyze common signaling standards and interface protocols
  • Write technical reports and maintain design documentation.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and growth
  • Collaborative work environment with multidisciplinary teams
  • Engagement in cutting-edge, impactful defense projects
  • Potential for obtaining advanced security clearances
  • Access to state-of-the-art technology and resources.
Full Job Description
Are you an FPGA engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and seeing your designs through from architecture to hardware? Leidos' Defense Space Business Area is seeking an FPGA Engineer to join our team in San Diego, CA. In this role, you'll contribute to advanced sensor and space-related technologies supporting critical national defense missions while working alongside a multidisciplinary team of engineers. This is an opportunity to apply your expertise across the complete FPGA development lifecycle from architecture, design, and implementation through timing closure, integration, and hardware testing. We're looking for engineers who thrive in fast-paced R&D environments and have a passion for developing and delivering high-tech solutions. Experience with space-qualified designs for LEO, MEO, and GEO is a plus, and we value and welcome experience working with organizations such as SDA, RCO, or DARPA. What You'll Work On: You'll develop and test sophisticated FPGA designs for Chemical, Biological, Radiation, Nuclear, and Space sensor systems for federal government customers. You'll also collaborate with a multi-disciplined design team to design and integrate DSP applications for modern System on a Chip (SoC) implementations, including technologies such as Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ and Xilinx RFSoC. Additional responsibilities include: • Develop and execute FPGA test plans, determine root cause of test failures, and iterate with senior staff to determine design changes to improve FPGA performance. • Support electrical engineering activities including FPGA designs and system integration and testing with CAD and lab activities. • Analyze, design, and implement HDL test benches in hardware description languages, HDL (VHDL, Verilog), for code validation and validation against models. • Able to synthesize, place and route, meeting timing requirements from high-speed FPGAs. • Analyze, design, simulate, and implement designs which interface to common signaling standards, typical IP hard macros such as SERDES, PLLS, etc. and/or protocols such PCIe, 10GBE Ethernet, LVDS, etc. • Use judgment to perform technical troubleshooting and diagnosis of failed equipment and support root cause analysis. • Perform data analysis and write technical reports. • Develop and maintain design documents, functional requirements and interface control documents. What You'll Bring: • BS and 5+ years of relevant experience as an electrical engineer or computer engineer in an R&D environment or Masters with 3+ year of relevant experience. • US Citizenship is required and must be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret security clearance. • Experience or coursework related to testing FPGA or CPLD designs in an electronics lab. • Fluent in Vivado, Modelsim or Riviera. Fluent in testbenches and self-checking verification methods. • Working knowledge of electronics test equipment like function generators, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and lab power supplies. • Well-organized, reliable, attention to detail, demonstrated personal initiative. Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload. Good interpersonal skills and ability to coordinate work with others. Good oral and written communication skills. • Experience working with cross-functional R&D development teams. • Motivated self-starter able to work under minimal supervision and an entrepreneurial approach to roles and responsibilities. • Familiarity with GIT, JIRA, Agile, Scrum. Even Better If You Have: • Masters' degree or higher in Electrical/Computer Engineering with emphasis on digital/ASIC/FPGA design is a plus. • Breadth of experience in a complementary discipline ability to develop image processing algorithms in Matlab and implement them in HDL, FPGA design, or embedded software is a plus. • Experience with Microchip Polarfire and Libero tools is a plus. • Experience reviewing and documenting technical data packages for military products. • Demonstrated mid-level lead position in a large FPGA project. • An active security clearance. Ready for your next engineering challenge? Bring your FPGA expertise to a team developing advanced technology in support of critical national defense missions. If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares. Original Posting: August 17, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos Holding

Leidos Holding Careers

Joining Leidos Holding presents an unparalleled opportunity to advance one's career with a leader in innovation and technology. The company offers a plethora of job opportunities aimed at fostering professional growth and development in a diverse and inclusive environment.

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Leidos Holding is actively seeking skilled professionals who are passionate about leveraging their expertise to drive innovation and leadership in their fields. With a variety of open positions, Leidos Holding provides a platform for individuals to challenge themselves in a dynamic work environment.

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At Leidos Holding, innovation is at the core of everything they do. Employees are encouraged to think creatively and push boundaries. The company supports this drive for innovation through comprehensive professional development and diversity training programs that are designed to enhance skills and foster leadership.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Leidos Holding is committed to creating a workplace where diversity is not only recognized but celebrated. With a culture that values and promotes diversity, Leidos Holding ensures that all team members have the opportunity to contribute, learn, and grow.

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For those starting their career, Leidos Holding offers internship programs that provide a robust foundation in the industry. Internships are a great way to develop essential skills, gain valuable work experience, and build professional networks.

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Employees at Leidos Holding enjoy a range of benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. The company culture is built on a foundation of respect and integrity, providing a supportive and collaborative environment where every team member is valued.

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