Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Engineer

UIC Alaska • Dahlgren, VA

3d • $110,000 - $130,000

About The Position

Bowhead is seeking an FPGA Engineer to support the Hypersonics Projectiles Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren and contribute to the development of high-performance digital systems. The role involves designing, implementing, and optimizing FPGA-based solutions for complex hardware applications using VHDL, Verilog, and high-level synthesis tools. The engineer will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient and reliable hardware integration.

The position requires a bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, along with 3–7 years of FPGA design and development experience. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for Secret clearance at this location. An in-scope Secret-level clearance or higher is preferred.

The targeted annual salary range is $110,000 to $130,000, based on qualifications and experience. The salary information is a general guideline; Bowhead considers factors including responsibilities, experience, education and training, skills, internal peer equity, and market and business considerations when making an offer.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 3–7 years of experience in FPGA design and development.
• Proficiency in HDL programming, including VHDL and Verilog, and FPGA development tools such as Vivado and Quartus.
• Strong understanding of digital logic design, high-speed interfaces, and embedded systems.
• Experience with hardware/software co-design and debugging tools such as oscilloscopes, JTAG, and signal analyzers.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects effectively.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship is required for Secret clearance at this location.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time.
• Must be able to twist, bend, and squat periodically.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Xilinx, Altera (Intel FPGA), or Lattice FPGA architectures.
• Knowledge of C/C++ and Python for FPGA development.
• Understanding of high-performance computing, signal processing, and networking applications.
• Familiarity with System Verilog, UVM methodology, or high-level synthesis (HLS).
• An in-scope Secret-level security clearance or higher.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop FPGA-based architectures for real-time and high-speed applications.
• Implement and optimize VHDL/Verilog code for FPGA designs.
• Conduct simulation, synthesis, and timing analysis to optimize performance.
• Debug and validate FPGA designs using industry-standard tools and methodologies.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and systems engineering teams to develop integrated solutions.
• Develop and maintain FPGA testbenches for functional verification.
• Contribute to system integration, testing, and troubleshooting of FPGA-based hardware.
• Document design specifications, implementation details, and test results.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level