Embedded FPGA Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton•McLean, VA

About The Position

We are seeking a motivated FPGA and software engineer to support the development, optimization, and deployment of digital signal processing (DSP) functions on a SOSA VPX system. The engineer will design, implement, and validate system components and contribute to building RF signal-processing applications on an embedded platform using advanced FPGAs. The role includes traditional HDL development using Vitis HLS as well as learning new development-acceleration tools outside conventional workflows. The successful candidate will work independently and collaboratively across a cross-functional team, take initiative and ownership, and communicate and share expertise effectively. The role focuses on developing FPGA-based DSP systems and algorithms, integrating designs with software, firmware, and larger architectures, and validating performance under real-time constraints. It also involves optimizing designs, creating reusable hardware IP, maintaining technical documentation, and identifying techniques and technologies that improve development efficiency, DSP performance, or system capability.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience developing FPGA or SDR solutions.
Experience with Python, embedded C++, MATLAB, or languages used for modeling DSP algorithms.
Experience using Agile processes and tools, including Jira or Confluence.
Experience with FPGA design using Verilog, VHDL, SystemVerilog, or HLS, and evaluation tools such as simulation, synthesis, fitting, timing analysis, implementation, and debug.
Experience with Linux/UNIX development environments and scripting languages.
Knowledge of digital design fundamentals, streaming architectures, pipelining, buffering, and data-path timing.
Ability to read hardware schematics and work with lab equipment, including logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers.
Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.

Nice To Haves

Experience implementing or prototyping DSP algorithms in hardware.
Experience with SOSA VPX systems.
Experience developing HLS-friendly algorithms and optimizing C/C++ code for hardware translation.
Experience porting and adapting vendor RF transceiver reference designs, such as RTL, IP cores, and drivers, to FPGA evaluation boards and custom platforms.
Experience with RF testing.
Experience with high-speed digital interfaces such as AXI-Stream, AXI-Lite, DMA, and custom streaming buses.
Experience with GPU acceleration, parallel computing, or high-bandwidth data processing.
Experience gathering requirements, shaping development roadmaps, or supporting Agile workflows.
Experience with modern agentic engineering workflows, including AI-driven automation for FPGA design, simulation, synthesis, or testing.
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Design and implement FPGA-based DSP systems using HDL, Vitis HLS, and modern FPGA toolchains.
Develop and optimize DSP algorithms, including filtering, detection, synchronization, modulation and demodulation, and transforms, into high-throughput, resource-efficient hardware blocks.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate FPGA designs with software, firmware, and larger system architectures.
Test, verify, and validate FPGA designs for functional correctness, stability, and performance under real-time constraints.
Optimize designs for timing, area, power, and throughput using HLS directives and traditional FPGA workflows.
Develop reusable hardware IP blocks to enable scalable DSP pipelines and accelerate future development.
Maintain documentation, including design notes, block diagrams, interface definitions, user guides, and workflow references.
Identify new techniques and technologies that improve FPGA development efficiency, DSP performance, or overall system capability.