Senior FPGA Engineer

Job Title:

Senior FPGA Engineer

Job Description

This Senior FPGA Engineer role owns the FPGA hardware logic inside a rover, developing real-time, deterministic avionics logic from initial concept through flight. You will design FPGA architectures, write RTL that becomes physical logic, and bridge hardware and software in a demanding space environment. This is a Senior, hands-on position where you collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver flight-ready FPGA solutions.

Responsibilities

+ Support FPGA RTL development from a blank sheet concept through flight-ready implementation, ensuring reliable performance in a space environment.

+ Develop FPGA logical architectures and detailed requirements in collaboration with other engineering disciplines, clearly defining hardware and software interfaces between fabric logic and processing subsystems.

+ Design and implement RTL code for Microsemi, Xilinx, or other FPGA or SoC devices using System Verilog or VHDL.

+ Perform comprehensive design verification, including simulations, test benches, timing analysis, and hardware testing to validate functionality, stability, and performance.

+ Lead FPGA design reviews, present design decisions, and demonstrate full requirement traceability from specification through implementation and test.

+ Create clear and thorough documentation for FPGA operation, configuration, and interfacing with embedded software and other FPGA systems.

+ Develop, execute, and participate in test campaigns spanning unit-level manual tests, unit-level automated tests, and system-level tests.

+ Simulate and verify FPGA behavior before hardware is available, identifying and resolving timing, stability, and logic issues early in the development cycle.

+ Collaborate with hardware and PCB engineers to ensure FPGA designs integrate cleanly with board-level architectures and meet signal integrity and interface requirements.

+ Work closely with embedded software engineers to define, implement, and refine HW/SW interfaces and ensure seamless integration of FPGA logic with software subsystems.

+ Contribute to continuous improvement of FPGA development processes, tools, and verification methodologies in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or an equivalent discipline.

+ 10+ years of experience in FPGA RTL architecture, development, verification, deployment, and maintenance.

+ Strong proficiency in RTL design using System Verilog or VHDL.

+ Skill in at least one scripting language such as TCL, shell, or Python.

+

Experience with verification techniques, including simulations, test benches, and timing and stability analysis.

+ Proficiency in understanding PCB designs and reading schematics.

+ Proficiency in understanding embedded software and its interaction with FPGA-based logic.

+ Proficiency with AXI protocols, including at least the AXI4 family.

+ Knowledge of common bus and memory interfaces such as DDR4, SPI, I2C, and UART.

+ Demonstrated success working in a dynamic environment with evolving requirements and priorities.

+

Experience with FPGA architectures and hardware verification on platforms such as Xilinx or similar devices.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Experience developing real-time, deterministic avionics logic for safety- or mission-critical systems.

+ Background in designing FPGA architectures that bridge hardware and software in complex embedded systems.

+ Hands-on experience supporting FPGA designs from early concept through integration, test, and deployment in challenging environments such as space or aerospace.

+ Familiarity with Microsemi and other SoC devices in addition to Xilinx platforms.

+ Experience creating and maintaining detailed documentation for FPGA operation, configuration, and interfaces.

+ Interest in and motivation to contribute to a rover mission targeted for operation on the moon.

Work Environment

The role operates in a startup-style environment that is fast paced and highly collaborative, with minimal hand holding and an expectation of strong ownership and initiative. You will work closely with cross-functional…