FPGA Firmware Engineer- Tysons Corner VA​/Lanham MD

Overview

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Senior FPGA Engineer to support a Government Consulting partner located in Tysons Corner, VA (located in Lanham, MD until Summer 2026) through a 100% onsite work environment (hybrid flexibility). The Senior FPGA Engineer will design, test, and integrate advanced FPGA-based processing solutions supporting radar, RF, and secure communication systems.

• Develop and implement FPGA designs for radar and communications DSP functions including beamforming, pulse compression, MTD/MTI, and high-rate digital data pipelines.
• Build firmware modules for SDR and digital comms systems such as modulation, filtering, channelization, timing recovery, and error correction.
• Integrate and optimize high-speed digital interfaces (SERDES, JESD
  204B/C, LVDS, Ethernet 10/40/100G, custom links).
• Create HDL test benches and perform simulation using Vivado, Model Sim, or Questa Sim.
• Execute timing closure, static timing analysis, and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Interface FPGA logic with ADC/DAC hardware, RF/mixed-signal components, embedded processors, and high-speed digital boards.
• Conduct hands-on lab testing using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, and other RF test equipment.
• Diagnose fielded system issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective action.
• Maintain FPGA image releases and collaborate with Dev Ops on build automation.
• Generate engineering documentation including ICDs, verification plans, and test reports that align with federal and customer standards.

• 10+ years of FPGA development experience within radar, RF, EW, or high-performance DSP environments.
• Strong experience with VHDL/Verilog and FPGA platforms such as Xilinx/AMD Zynq, Ultra Scale, RFSoC or Intel/Altera devices.
• Expertise in DSP architectures, high-speed digital interfaces, timing analysis, and verification workflows.
• Ability to produce clear, customer-ready technical documentation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance.
• Prior support of DoD radar, tactical communications, or EW programs.
• Experience with RFSoC, multi-channel ADC/DAC systems, or mixed-signal integrations.
• Familiarity with Xilinx GTX/GTY transceivers and high-speed switching technologies.
• Knowledge of DO-254, MIL-STD, or related government design-assurance standards.
• Scripting experience (Python, MATLAB, TCL) for automation or analysis.
• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.

• Salary Range: negotiable depending on experience
• Comprehensive Benefits:
  Medical, Dental, Vision, unlimited PTO, Sick Leave (as required by law), Paid Holidays
• Relocation assistance, RSU
• Clearance Level: Must be eligible to work in the United States and obtain/maintain an Active Secret clearance
• Location:
  
  100% onsite in Tysons Corner, VA (Lanham, MD until summer 2026)

‑signal integration, timing closure, static timing analysis, HDL simulation, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, vector signal analyzers, DoD programs, MIL-STD, DO-254, Dev Ops, AXI interfaces, high-speed data paths, waveform processing.