Firmware Engineer
Job in
Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, 85702, USA
Listed on 2026-07-10
Listing for:
Actalent
Full Time
position Listed on 2026-07-10
Job specializations:
-
Software Development
Embedded Systems/ Firmware/ IoT, Embedded Software Engineer
Job Description & How to Apply Below
Sr. Firmware Engineer II - FPGA/VHDL (Remote)
Job Description
This role focuses on designing, implementing, and validating advanced FPGA-based firmware for space domain awareness and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems. You will collaborate closely with hardware and software teams to develop high-performance, reliable firmware that operates in challenging environments, including space. The position offers the opportunity to work with cutting-edge FPGA technologies, contribute to mission-critical space and ISR programs, and be part of a highly skilled team that values continuous learning and collaboration.
Responsibilities
+ Collaborate with the hardware design team to define, refine, and document firmware requirements for FPGA-based systems.
+ Complete FPGA logic design, coding, simulation, and verification using VHDL, ensuring robust and maintainable implementations.
+ Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis to meet performance, area, and power constraints on targeted FPGA platforms.
+ Support hardware and software development teams during system bring-up, integration, and testing of new products.
+ Provide subject-matter expertise on FPGA design methodologies, 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, assess feasibility, and identify risks.
+ Execute debugging and validation of FPGA designs in the lab, including root-cause analysis and resolution of complex issues.
+ Develop and refine firmware architectures that support high-speed interfaces such as DDR4, Aurora, and multi-gigabit transceivers.
+ Contribute to the development and optimization of FPGA-based image processing algorithms and related signal processing pipelines.
+ Implement and verify software interfaces to firmware, including interrupts, DMA, and AXI-based communication paths.
+ Participate in design and code reviews, providing constructive feedback and ensuring adherence to quality and reliability standards.
+ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support systems operating in radiation environments, including implementing and validating SEU/SEL mitigation techniques.
+ Assist with the creation and integration of custom IP cores from scratch to meet specific mission and system requirements.
+ Support continuous improvement of development workflows, including the use of AI-assisted implementation tools and automation where appropriate.
+ Engage in knowledge sharing and mentorship within the team, helping colleagues learn new technologies and techniques as projects evolve.
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 in hand-coded FPGA implementation.
+ Exposure to AI-assisted implementation workflows in VHDL-based FPGA development.
+ Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or an equivalent discipline.
+ Strong proficiency in FPGA logic design, coding, simulation, and testing using VHDL.
+ Demonstrated experience with synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis for complex FPGA designs.
+ Ability to interpret and analyze customer specifications, datasheets, and technical manuals to guide design decisions.
+ Experience supporting hardware and software teams in system bring-up, integration, and test.
+ Solid understanding of digital design fundamentals, including high-speed interfaces and memory subsystems.
+ Proficiency in debugging FPGA designs in a lab environment using appropriate tools and methodologies.
Additional
Skills & Qualifications
+
Experience with Linux development or strong familiarity with Linux-based environments.
+ Experience working in Yocto-based environments.
+ Familiarity with 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 and related tool chains.
+
Experience with FPGAs and embedded systems operating in radiation environments, including understanding SEU/SEL impacts and mitigation techniques.
+ Experience implementing FPGA-based image processing algorithms.
+ Experience creating custom IP cores from scratch for FPGA implementations.
+ Familiarity with C, C++, Python, or MATLAB and experience translating algorithms from scripted languages into HDL.
+
Experience with software interfaces to FPGA logic, including interrupts and DMA.
+
Experience with DDR4, Aurora, and high-speed transceiver design and verification.
+ Familiarity with AXI Stream and AXI Memory Mapped interfaces.
+
Experience with PCB design, schematic capture, and layout using tools such as Altium Designer.
+ Interest in space systems, space domain awareness, and working on payloads deployed in orbit.
+ Strong…
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