Junior FPGA Engineer

Junior FPGA Engineer

Location: Rochester, NY Department: Engineering FLSA Status: Exempt

Vanteon, a Performance Drone Works (PDW) Company, develops wireless, RF, and embedded technology for demanding applications. Our engineers work across hardware, software, firmware, and FPGA design to bring complex systems from concept through implementation and verification.

We are seeking a Junior FPGA Engineer to support FPGA and embedded system development for customer programs and internal research and development. Working with experienced engineers, you will develop FPGA logic, verify designs, and gain hands‑on experience integrating programmable logic with processors and electronic hardware. We particularly welcome candidates with practical experience in both FPGA development and embedded systems through employment, internships, co‑op assignments, research, or substantial academic projects.

• Design and implement FPGA logic under the guidance of experienced engineers.
• Develop synthesizable VHDL and/or Verilog for control functions, state machines, data interfaces, and processing functions.
• Create test benches and perform simulations to verify assigned designs.
• Support synthesis, implementation, timing analysis, and resolution of design issues.
• Assist with FPGA configuration, board bring‑up, hardware testing, and debugging.
• Support integration of FPGA logic with embedded processors, firmware, and peripheral devices.
• Collaborate with hardware, embedded software, RF, and DSP engineers on development and testing.
• Participate in design reviews and incorporate feedback into your work.
• Document designs, interfaces, test procedures, and results.
• Communicate progress, ask questions, and identify issues that require additional guidance.
• Build your technical skills through mentoring, cross‑training, and hands‑on project work.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Foundational knowledge of digital logic, synchronous design, finite state machines, and FPGA architecture.
• Practical experience developing FPGA logic using VHDL and/or Verilog through coursework, projects, internships, co‑op assignments, or employment.
• Familiarity with FPGA development tools such as AMD/Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus.
• Basic understanding of simulation, synthesis, and timing concepts.
• Ability to read schematics and understand connections between FPGA logic and electronic hardware.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and willingness to learn unfamiliar tools and technologies.
• Ability to work collaboratively, respond to feedback, and communicate technical information clearly.
• Eligibility to access the controlled data required for assigned projects, as described below.

• Hands‑on experience in both embedded systems and FPGA development.
• Internship, co‑op, or professional experience involving FPGA design, embedded software, or hardware integration.
• Experience with embedded C/C++ and microcontroller or processor-based systems.
• Experience integrating FPGA logic with an embedded processor, including AMD/Xilinx Zynq or comparable SoC platforms.
• Familiarity with interfaces such as SPI, I²C, UART, AXI, or DMA.
• Experience creating test benches and using simulation tools such as Vivado Simulator or Questa/Model Sim.
• Experience with hardware bring‑up or debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or embedded debugging tools.
• Familiarity with Python or Tcl scripting and Git version control.
• Exposure to embedded Linux, real‑time operating systems, DSP, or wireless communications.

This position involves extended periods working at a computer and performing laboratory development and testing. Duties may require sitting, standing, walking, reaching, and…