FPGA Firmware Design Engineer
About The Position
The Aerospace Corporation's Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems to address our customers' hardest problems at the speed of need. We engage with our customers to conceptualize innovative solutions and deliver impactful products for ground and space and everything in between. We are looking for an FPGA Firmware Design Engineer (Engineering Specialist - Firmware Engineering) with a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help xLab make a difference to today's challenges. As an FPGA Firmware Design Engineer, you will design cutting-edge firmware solutions that enable mission-critical systems for aerospace applications.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM discipline
- 6 or more years of professional or related experience
- Demonstrated experience designing FPGA firmware using VHDL
- Strong understanding of digital design principles, timing constraints, and hardware verification methodologies
- Hands-on experience with Microchip and/or AMD Xilinx FPGA development tools and workflows
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required
Nice To Haves
- Master's or PhD degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline
- Experience with space-grade or radiation-hardened FPGA designs and SEU mitigation techniques
- Proficiency with high-speed interfaces such as SpaceWire, PCIe, Ethernet, DDR memory controllers, or SerDes
- Experience with FPGA-based signal processing, including DSP algorithms, image processing, or communications systems
- Familiarity with DO-254 or other aerospace design assurance standards and verification methodologies
Responsibilities
- Design and develop FPGA firmware for Microchip and AMD Xilinx FPGAs using VHDL for space, ground, and airborne systems
- Support xLab's rapid prototyping initiatives by delivering high-quality digital hardware solutions for government and commercial aerospace customers
- Collaborate with systems engineers, hardware engineers, and software developers to integrate FPGA designs into larger system architectures
- Perform simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, and verification of FPGA designs to ensure functionality and performance requirements are met
- Contribute to all phases of the development lifecycle from requirements definition through testing and deployment, making a direct impact on mission success
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
- 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
- Flexible spending accounts
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
- Relocation assistance
- Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
- Education assistance programs
- An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
