Firmware Engineer

PDS Tech Commercial is partnering with a leader in the aviation industry to hire a talented Firmware Engineer in Cedar Rapids, IA. If you have deep expertise in FPGA development, DO-254 certification, and high-reliability aerospace systems, this is your opportunity to contribute to the next generation of advanced avionics and defense technologies.

Working alongside industry-leading engineers, you'll play a key role in developing, verifying, and certifying complex FPGA-based solutions designed to meet the most rigorous aerospace safety standards.

Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Job Type: Full-Time Consultant (6-Month Assignment)
Schedule: Monday-Friday
Pay Rate: $68.89 per hour

As a Firmware Engineer
, you will support the development and certification of advanced FPGA-based aerospace and defense systems. This role is focused on design verification and testing (DVT), DO-254 DAL A compliance, and the creation of high-quality verification documentation that supports certification activities.

You’ll work on highly visible programs where technical excellence, precision, and compliance are essential to mission success.

In this role, you will:

• Review FPGA Verification and Test Plans to ensure compliance with DO-254 DAL A requirements
• Develop and maintain detailed FPGA test procedures and test cases
• Execute FPGA testing activities and analyze results
• Generate comprehensive test reports that meet certification standards and rigor
• Develop, review, and maintain hardware requirements with full traceability to system-level requirements in DOORS
• Support FPGA design implementation and verification activities
• Perform functional testing, reviews, quantitative analyses, and validation activities
• Evaluate and qualify design and verification tools used in the development lifecycle
• Create and maintain certification documentation, traceability matrices, and verification records
• Collaborate with systems engineers, software developers, and certification teams
• Participate in design reviews and verification planning discussions
• Support compliance efforts related to DO-254 DAL A and associated aerospace certification requirements
• Contribute to the development of advanced digital FPGA solutions supporting aerospace and defense applications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant FPGA, firmware, or hardware development experience
• Proven experience with FPGA development and DO-254 compliance processes
• Strong understanding of DO-254 DAL A certification requirements
• Experience creating:
  • FPGA Test Plans
  • Test Procedures
  • Test Cases
  • Verification Documentation
  • Test Reports
• Experience supporting verification planning, testing, and tool qualification activities
• Expertise with RTL coding and simulation using:
  • VHDL
  • Verilog
• Experience with FPGA verification and testbench development using:
  • VHDL
  • System Verilog
• Knowledge of:
  • Digital circuit architecture
  • Timing analysis
  • Timing closure
  • Design trade studies
• Experience with FPGA design and simulation tools such as:
  • Model Sim
  • Synplify
  • Vivado
  • Quartus
  • Similar FPGA development platforms
• Familiarity with version control tools such as Git or Subversion
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to cross-functional teams

• Direct experience performing FPGA design verification testing (DVT)
• Hands-on laboratory FPGA test execution experience
• Experience writing certification-quality test reports
• Knowledge of MIL-STD-516C certification guidance
• Prior experience supporting aerospace, avionics, defense, or mission systems programs
• Experience working on safety-critical or high-assurance embedded systems
• Strong understanding of hardware requirements traceability and certification evidence generation

At PDS Tech…