HDL Technical Lead - Aerospace; FPGA

Location:

Boulder, CO

$150,000 – $250,000

• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain a security clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• Strong professional experience designing FPGA systems using Verilog, VHDL, or similar HDL
• Proven experience providing technical leadership or architectural ownership (not people management)
• Deep understanding of digital system design, timing analysis, and hardware interfaces
• Hands‑on experience with high-speed and control interfaces such as PCIe, SPI, I²C, AXI, Aurora, or JESD
• Ability to work across multiple programs and think at the system and platform level

A growing RF technology company is seeking an experienced HDL Technical Lead (FPGA) to provide architectural direction and technical leadership across multiple FPGA development programs. This role is ideal for a senior engineer who leads through technical expertise rather than formal people management. You will guide architecture, improve design reuse, and solve complex technical challenges while remaining hands‑on. Approximately 50% of the role is direct engineering
, including design, tooling, automation, and debugging. You will support 3–4 concurrent programs
, helping teams align on architecture, make sound technical tradeoffs, and execute consistently across projects.

• Provide technical leadership for FPGA/HDL development across multiple active programs
• Define and guide system‑level FPGA architecture aligned with program requirements and long‑term platform strategy
• Drive reuse of IP, architecture, and development tools to improve efficiency and consistency
  
  Lead design reviews, technical planning, and cross‑team coordination to ensure quality and schedule
• Contribute directly to:
  • Specialized HDL development
  • Tooling, automation, and workflow improvements
  • Complex debugging, performance optimization, and timing closure
• Collaborate closely with RF, hardware, and embedded software teams to ensure successful system integration
• Provide technical mentorship, design feedback, and best‑practice guidance (no direct reports)
• Influence verification strategy, simulation approach, documentation standards, and integration readiness
• Support hardware bring‑up and system integration in Linux‑based environments

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Python, C/C++, or scripting for automation, test, or tooling
• Linux development experience (user space, drivers, Yocto, or Peta Linux)
• Experience with simulation and verification tools such as Vivado, Model Sim, or similar
• Hardware exposure including board bring‑up, lab debug, or schematic review
• Experience supporting multiple products or programs simultaneously
• Familiarity with HDL modeling or code‑generation tools
• Background working in RF or mixed‑signal systems

• Full‑time role (40+ hours as required)
• Standard weekday schedule with flexibility based on program needs
• Approximately 10% travel
• Professional office and lab environment with access to prototyping equipment, machine shop tools, and hardware development resources

• Four weeks of PTO annually
• Flexible scheduling and hybrid work options
• Tuition reimbursement
• Up to 6% 401(k) match
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage