Firmware Engineer

Job Title:

Senior Firmware Engineer II

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, implementing, and validating advanced FPGA-based firmware to support cutting-edge electro-optical and infrared systems for space domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications. You will collaborate closely with hardware and software teams to define requirements, develop VHDL-based FPGA designs, and ensure robust performance in demanding environments, including space. This position offers the opportunity to work with the latest FPGA technologies, including Xilinx platforms, on systems that process data at the edge and enable high-impact space missions.

Responsibilities

+ Collaborate with the hardware design team to refine and translate system requirements into robust FPGA firmware architectures.

+ Complete end-to-end FPGA logic design, including coding in VHDL, simulation, verification, and integration testing.

+ Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis to ensure designs meet performance, resource, and reliability constraints.

+ Execute debugging and validation of FPGA designs in the lab, including root cause analysis and design iteration.

+ Support hardware and software development teams during bring-up and test of products, ensuring seamless integration of firmware with embedded systems and software interfaces.

+ Provide subject-matter expertise on FPGA design practices, automated test development procedures, and best practices to internal teams and production support.

+ Conduct research and analysis of customer specifications, datasheets, and technical manuals to determine design approaches and assess feasibility.

+ Develop and refine FPGA-based solutions for image processing and other mission-critical algorithms, particularly for electro-optical and infrared payloads.

+ Implement and support high-speed interfaces such as DDR4, Aurora, AXI Stream, and other multi-gigabit transceiver interfaces as required.

+ Contribute to the development and integration of IP blocks, including creating custom RTL from scratch and integrating existing IP into RTL and block designs.

+ Collaborate with software engineers to define and implement firmware-software interfaces, including interrupts, DMA, and communication protocols.

+ Support design considerations for radiation environments, including analysis and mitigation of SEU/SEL effects when applicable.

+ Participate in continuous improvement of design flows, verification strategies, and documentation to enhance reliability and maintainability of firmware solutions.

+ Engage with cross-functional teams to help achieve mission objectives and deliver high-quality results to customers.

Essential Skills

+ At least 8 years of professional, full-time firmware engineering experience.

+ At least 8 years of experience in FPGA firmware design using VHDL.

+ At least 3 years of professional experience with hand-coded implementation and AI-assisted implementation in VHDL.

+ Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline.

+ Strong experience in FPGA-based development using VHDL, including coding, simulation, synthesis, and timing analysis.

+ Proficiency in debugging FPGA designs in a lab environment, including use of relevant tools and methodologies.

+ Experience supporting hardware and software development teams during system bring-up and test.

+ Ability to interpret and analyze customer specifications, datasheets, and technical manuals to guide design decisions.

+ Familiarity with HDL-based design flows and integration of FPGA firmware into complex embedded systems.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+

Experience with Linux-based development or strong familiarity with Linux environments.

+ Exposure to Yocto-based build environments.

+

Experience with serial and communication interfaces such as RS‑422/RS‑485, I²C, SPI, Ethernet/GigE, TCP/IP, UDP, and CAN.

+

Experience with high-speed interfaces, including DDR or multi-gigabit transceivers.

+

Experience with Xilinx/AMD Versal architecture or similar advanced FPGA platforms.

+ Experience working with FPGAs and embedded systems in radiation environments,…