FPGA Engineer – SDR Development

As an FPGA Engineer you will develop next-generation SDR communication payloads for future scientific missions, including deep-space, lunar, and Mars communication systems. Your FPGA designs will directly enable high-throughput waveform processing, multi-channel SDR operations, and real-time RF performance in the harsh radiation and thermal environment of space.
In this role in our California team, you will report to the Principal Embedded Systems Engineer . You will work closely with system, RF, hardware, and software engineers in a multidisciplinary environment to implement, integrate, and verify high-performance FPGA designs that support signal processing, data handling, and hardware interfaces for space SDR and telecom systems.

Specific duties include (but are not limited to):

• Develop, implement, and maintain FPGA designs using Verilog, System Verilog, or VHDL for space SDR and telecom systems
• Design and integrate digital signal processing (DSP) functions such as filtering, modulation/demodulation, channelization, and rate conversion
• Implement high-speed digital interfaces (e.g., JESD
  204, LVDS, SPI, I2C, Ethernet, Space Wire, or similar) and ensure reliable data transfer between FPGA and peripheral devices
• Perform simulation, verification, and documentation of FPGA designs using tools such as Questa Sim, and Vivado Simulator (including testbench development and verification plans and artifacts)
• Support synthesis, place-and-route, timing closure, constraint development, and static timing analysis
• Integrate FPGA designs with embedded processors, firmware, and software; collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to deliver end-to-end system functionality
• Support hardware bring-up, lab validation, debugging, and system-level testing (including RF performance and environmental qualification)
• Analyze and optimize FPGA resource utilization, latency, throughput, and power consumption to meet system requirements
• Operate laboratory instrumentation (e.g., oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers) to support validation and debugging activities
• Develop and maintain design documentation, including requirements traceability matrices, interface control documents, and verification artifacts
• Prepare and present FPGA design details at engineering design reviews (e.g., PDR, CDR)
• Execute assigned tasks independently while coordinating priorities with technical leadership and project schedules
• Support next-generation processor selections and FPGA architecture updates

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields
• At least 5+ years of experience in FPGA design and development in a professional or research environment
• U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Residency is required
• Excellent written and oral communication in English

• Team player and a “Do what it takes” attitude
• Proficiency in Verilog, System Verilog, or VHDL and experience with FPGA tool chains (e.g., Xilinx Vivado) including synthesis, implementation, and timing closure
• Experience with high-speed digital interfaces (e.g., JESD
  204, LVDS, Ethernet, Space Wire, or similar)
• Experience designing and implementing digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms in FPGA or fixed-point implementations
• Understanding of fixed-point arithmetic and numerical effects in FPGA implementations
• Experience with FPGA verification and validation, including simulation, testbench development, and lab bring-up/debug
• Strong understanding of digital design fundamentals, including clock domain crossing, reset strategies, IP integration, and HW/SW interfacing
• Ability to read and interpret system requirements, schematics, and interface specifications
• Strong documentation…