Senior FPGA Design Engineer

Telesat Corporation$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
  • 8+ years of experience in FPGA design and development
  • Strong proficiency in RTL design using VHDL and/or Verilog/SystemVerilog
  • Experience with FPGA toolchains such as Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus
  • Solid understanding of digital signal processing concepts and communication systems
  • Familiarity with simulation and verification tools like ModelSim or Questa

Responsibilities

  • Own the design and implementation of FPGA-based modem components for satellite or wireless communication systems
  • Design high-throughput FPGA architectures for multi-Gbps data paths
  • Develop low-latency DSP blocks for various communication tasks
  • Translate system requirements into efficient FPGA architectures
  • Perform RTL design and integrate third-party FPGA IP cores for optimal performance
  • Develop and execute verification plans for hardware validation
  • Support full FPGA design lifecycle including synthesis and timing closure

Benefits

  • Occasional international travel opportunities
  • In-office work schedule four days a week
  • Government clearance requirement for certain responsibilities
Full Job Description
We are seeking a highly skilled FPGA Designer to join our engineering team in Ottawa, supporting the development of advanced satellite modem technologies. In this role, you will own the design and delivery of FPGA subsystems from architecture definition through hardware validation, contributing to high-performance digital signal processing (DSP) implementations on FPGA platforms. You will work on systems enabling next-generation communications capabilities in demanding environments, requiring strong expertise in FPGA development, modem architectures, and high-speed data processing systems.

Main Responsibilities

  • Own the design and implementation of FPGA-based digital modem components for satellite or wireless communication systems
  • Design high-throughput FPGA architectures supporting multi-Gbps data paths and real-time processing constraints
  • Develop low-latency DSP blocks (e.g., modulation/demodulation, FEC, filtering, framing)
  • Translate system and algorithm requirements into efficient and scalable FPGA architectures
  • Perform RTL design using VHDL and/or Verilog/SystemVerilog
  • Integrate and optimize designs, including third-party FPGA IP cores, for performance, power, and resource utilization
  • Develop and execute verification plans, including simulation, testbench creation, and hardware validation
  • Support full FPGA design lifecycle including synthesis, timing closure, and lab bring-up
  • Work closely with system architects, algorithm developers, embedded software teams, and hardware engineers to ensure seamless integration
  • Support hardware bring-up, debugging, and system-level testing in lab environments
  • Contribute to documentation, design reviews, and continuous improvement of development processes
  • Participate in design trade-offs and performance analysis for future modem features


Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
  • 8+ years of experience in FPGA design and development (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
  • Strong proficiency in RTL design using VHDL and/or Verilog/SystemVerilog
  • Experience with FPGA toolchains (e.g., Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus)
  • Solid understanding of digital signal processing concepts and communication systems
  • Experience implementing high-speed data paths and pipelined architectures
  • Familiarity with simulation and verification tools (ModelSim, Questa, VCS, etc.)
  • Experience with hardware debugging tools (e.g., logic analyzers, ILA)
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a collaborative team environment


Specialized Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Experience with satellite communications or wireless modem design
  • Knowledge of forward error correction (FEC) schemes (LDPC, Turbo, etc.) Familiarity
  • Familiarity with wideband or high-throughput modem systems (e.g., DVB-S2X, 5G PHY)
  • Experience with high-speed interfaces (e.g., JESD204, Ethernet, PCIe, SerDes)
  • Experience with FPGA SoC platforms and integration with embedded processors (e.g., ARM-based systems)
  • Exposure to high-level synthesis (HLS) tools and methodologies
  • Experience with MATLAB/Simulink or Python for algorithm development and validation
  • Understanding of fixed-point design and optimization techniques
  • Experience with modern verification methodologies (e.g., UVM, constrained-random, coverage-driven verification)
  • Experience working in Agile or iterative development environments


Soft Skills

  • Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly present technical concepts
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Detail-oriented with a focus on quality and reliability
  • Proactive mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous learning


Working Conditions

  • Resource is required to be in office four (4) days weekly
  • Occasional international travel is required in this role
  • Must qualify for government clearance

About Telesat Corporation

Telesat Corporation is a publicly traded company that provides satellite communications services to customers in the telecommunications, broadcast, and government sectors. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. Telesat's services include satellite broadband, video distribution, and government and military communications. The company operates a fleet of satellites that provide coverage to the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Telesat is committed to innovation and has invested in the development of new satellite technologies.
Learn more about Telesat Corporation
Size
500 employees
Market Cap
$351 million
Industry

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