Associate FPGA Engineer (Comms/TVI)

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. • CLARKSBURG, MD

2d • $90,000 - $115,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) is seeking an Associate FGPA Engineer to work in their Clarksburg, MD office. The role involves being part of small product development teams working with talented individuals on products that perform when it counts. The engineer will also have the opportunity to see their designs manufactured in the company's factory. TDSI, headquartered in Clarksburg, MD, is a U.S. company with over 60 years of experience serving domestic and international defense domains. With over 1,000 employees and four subsidiaries, TDSI supports U.S. Joint Services, special operations forces, and multinational partners with various communication, visualization, signal intelligence/electronic warfare, and sensor/sonar capabilities. Their key technologies include tactical handheld radios, expeditionary satellite terminals, helmet-mounted displays, optics and target recognition capability, advanced radars, undersea sensing, and missile systems.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required - Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• BSEE or MSEE
• Demonstrated expertise in FPGA programming using Verilog and/or VHDL.
• Experience in FPGA development tools such as ModelSim, Synplify Pro, and vendor tools from Intel/Altera, Xilinx, or Lattice.
• Understanding of meta-stability, timing closure, and advanced timing analysis.
• System‑level understanding of digital signal processing, embedded architectures, and communications theory; experience with wireless communication or MODEM development is a plus.
• Ability to work independently while thriving in a fast‑paced, multidisciplinary team environment.
• Strong communication skills, self‑motivation, and proactive problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to comply with all Company guidelines, policies, procedures and embrace Company Core Values.

Nice To Haves

• experience with wireless communication or MODEM development is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Participate in FPGA architecture design, defining module behavior, interfaces, and system‑level integration requirements.
• Independently develop FPGA code in Verilog and/or VHDL, including RTL design, simulation and test bench development.
• Collaborate closely with software and hardware engineers to integrate FPGA designs into embedded systems, ensuring seamless system‑level functionality.
• Conduct system integration and testing on target platforms, resolving complex cross‑disciplinary issues involving digital logic, embedded software, and hardware.
• Evaluate system functions and performance in the lab, including debugging timing issues, validating signal processing algorithms, and characterizing communication subsystems.
• Participate actively in TDSI Agile/SCRUM software development process.
• Maintain a high ethical standard of practice, including compliance with all company procedures.
• Develop signal processing, communication protocol-related FPGA modules for an advanced communication system.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Yearly Incentive Compensation Plan
• Medical insurance for self and eligible family members
• Generous 401(k) program- up to 7% company contribution and 100% immediate vesting
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid wellness, vacation, and holiday leave
• Paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave
• 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree