Embedded Systems Engineer; Linux & HDL

Position: Embedded Systems Engineer (Linux & HDL)
Summary

FIRST RF is hiring a talented Embedded Systems Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be a key contributor to the design and development of active RF systems for our next-generation products. You’ll be part of a small, collaborative team who is responsible for developing software, firmware, and gate-ware solutions. For this role you will need to have skillsets in Linux and/or Hardware Description Language (HDL).

We’re seeking candidates with a strong desire to a system-level understanding who can evolve to an influence high-level design decisions and internal tooling.

Key Responsibilities Design, implement, and verify FPGA logic using HDLDevelop embedded software for onboard processors, supporting both bare-metal and embedded Linux environments

Build, customize, and deploy embedded Linux systems for SoC platforms

Perform simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, and hardware validation to ensure performance, stability, and timing closure.

Implement and optimize high-speed communication protocols

Conduct board bring-up and hardware–software co-debugging, using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, in-system debug cores, and related tools

Optimize architecture, resource utilization, throughput, and latency to meet stringent performance and reliability requirements

Participate in full lifecycle development, from system architecture and requirements definition through prototyping, validation, and integration

Document designs, interfaces, and test procedures, ensuring clear communication across hardware, firmware, and software teams

Collaborate with cross-functional engineers (embedded, RF, mechanical) to define system requirements and deliver integrated solutions

Required

Education and Experience Must have U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Technical Skills Proficiency reading electrical schematics

Proficiency with common test equipment including multi-meters, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers

Proficiency in a technical programming language such as Python Strong hardware background

Specialized Skillsets – one or both required

Linux

Experience with Linux user-space and kernel driver development.

Proficiency with embedded Linux build systems

Interest in learning HDLHardware Description Language (HDL)
A strong HDL skillset with experience implementing DSP blocks and common serial interfaces (e.g., PCIe, SPI, I2C, AXI, Wishbone, Aurora, JESD)
Experience developing novel IP (e.g., DSP, packetization) and a proficient understanding of signal processing fundamentals is required

Interest in learning Linux user-space and kernel driver development

Preferred

Education and Experience Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Experience with Yocto and Pentalinux Familiarity with Xilink, RFSoc, Zynq platforms

Experience with RF test equipment including phase noise analyzer, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, and power meters

Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibility This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a full-time position at 40 hours per week. Typical office hours include Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm; however, these hours may vary based on workload and the manager’s discretion.

Travel About 10% travel is expected for this position.

Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. The employee will also regularly be seated at a desk and using a computer.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

About FIRST RFFIRST RF is a fast-growing, multi-discipline,…