Kepler is seeking an experienced
FPGA Manager to lead the design, development, and deployment of FPGA-based systems that power Kepler's satellite payloads and ground infrastructure. You'll balance leadership, technical oversight, and team development while contributing to the execution of mission-critical programs. You will play a critical role in delivering high-reliability, radiation-tolerant, and performance-optimized digital systems for space applications.
Expected Time Breakdown:- 50% - Team leadership and execution oversight
- 25% - Technical guidance and design input
- 15% - Recruiting and on-boarding
- 10% - Administrative and reporting
Key Responsibilities:- Lead, mentor, and maintain a high-performing, geographically diverse FPGA team, fostering a collaborative culture that exemplifies Kepler's Values
- Ensure the team has the tools, training, and support needed to deliver high-quality RTL designs
- Provide ongoing coaching, technical guidance, and career development through regular 1:1s and structured performance reviews
- Monitor day-to-day execution across multiple projects, ensuring alignment with program goals and timelines
- Support hiring plans, lead interviews, and onboard new team member
- Own the FPGA development across the full lifecycle: Architecture, design, verification, bring-up, debugging, and deployment
- Partner with program and product leads to define scope, resourcing, and delivery milestones
- Support vendor selection for tools and IP, and guide make/buy decisions
- Own and drive adoption of the FPGA engineering design process, establishing and championing best practices for RTL design, simulation, verification, and CI/CD
- Manage project timelines, resource allocation, and long-term technical strategy
Required Skills and Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in FPGA/RTL design and development with 3+ years of which were leading or managing engineering teams
- Track record of building healthy team culture and driving performance through clear expectations and feedback
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally
- Proven ability to manage shifting priorities and drive execution through ambiguity via agile development practices
- Proven ability to deliver complex hardware systems from concept to production
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with other teams both within and beyond the Engineering department
- Strong technical fundamentals in FPGA/RTL design
- Experience in SystemVerilog/Verilog or VHDL
- Experience with FPGA toolchains (e.g., Vivado, Quartus, Libero)
- Background in digital design fundamentals such as timing closure, high-speed interfaces (e.g., SERDES, PCIe, Ethernet), I/O planning, power management
- Experience with simulation and verification methodologies (e.g., UVM, testbenches, formal verification) and tools (e.g. Questa, VUnit, ALint Pro, Verilator, Verible, GHDL, IcarusVerilog)
Bonus Points:- Experience with space-grade or radiation-tolerant FPGA design
- Experience with high-speed data pipelines and networking protocols
- Background in satellite communications, SDR, or DSP algorithms
- Familiarity with heterogeneous compute systems (e.g. MPSoC UltraScale+, Versal ACAP)
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines for FPGA development
- Knowledge of scripting languages (Python, TCL, Bash) for automation
- Experience working in fast-paced startup or aerospace environments
- Familiarity with or certification in automotive/aerospace safety processes/standards
Why Kepler?:- Work on cutting-edge space infrastructure and satellite technology
- Be part of a rapidly growing company shaping the future of space communications
- Collaborate with a highly skilled, mission-driven team
- Competitive compensation, equity, and benefits
- Opportunities for growth and leadership in a scaling organization
