RF Systems FPGA Engineer II - Lunar Permanance

BLUE ORIGIN•Seattle, WA

4d•$107,136 - $149,990

About The Position

Blue Origin’s Lunar RF Systems group is seeking an FPGA Design Engineer to support its Radio and Radar teams in developing flight communications and sensing hardware for lunar vehicles. The radios provide command, telemetry, and data links between the lunar surface, orbit, and Earth, while the radars support precision descent and landing. FPGAs and system-on-chip devices configure and control RF hardware, preprocess signals, manage communications interfaces, and monitor system health. The engineer owns digital design from algorithm concept through flight, translating DSP and RF system requirements into synthesizable RTL for FPGAs and system-on-chip devices. The role includes modeling and simulating waveforms and detection algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink; balancing fixed-point architectures against fabric, memory, and I/O budgets; implementing and verifying logic; and bringing designs up on hardware in collaboration with RF, antenna, DSP, and embedded software engineers. The role supports the design, build, and operation of communications and sensing systems for sustained human presence on the Moon.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
At least 3 years of relevant experience in FPGA design and/or DSP.
Experience developing and implementing DSP algorithms on FPGA and/or an embedded processor.
Experience simulating an end-to-end system to meet performance specifications, such as link budgets.
Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink or an equivalent modeling environment.
Experience designing, selecting, and optimizing DSP algorithms for radar or other relevant sensors.
Proficiency with IEEE 802.3, XAUI, PCIe, JESD204B/C, I2C, and SPI interfaces.
Proficiency writing RTL using Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL.
Strong understanding of FPGA design concepts, CDC, constraint definition, STA, and timing closure.
Proficiency with FPGA development tools such as Xilinx Vivado, Microchip Libero, Synopsys Synplify Pro, or Intel Quartus.
Proficiency with ModelSim/QuestaSim or equivalent simulators.
Experience writing test benches using techniques such as UVM/OVM, SystemVerilog assertions, and/or functional/code coverage analysis.
Hands-on experience testing with laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic or protocol analyzers, power supplies, multimeters, and signal generators.
Experience with Git or another modern version-control system and CI/CD pipelines.
Strong technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Nice To Haves

Master of Science in electrical/computer engineering, digital signal processing, mathematics, or a related technical field.
Experience in FMCW or CW Radar/LiDAR signal processing.
Proficiency with scripting languages such as Perl, Python, or Tcl.
Experience with RF sensors.
Experience with space applications and radiation environments.
Experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal generators/analyzers, power meters, and attenuators.
Experience applying formal hardware assurance and configuration-management practices, including DO-254 or comparable aerospace standards.

Responsibilities

Design and simulate end-to-end systems to meet performance specifications such as range and signal-to-noise ratio.
Design and validate signal-processing algorithms for detection, tracking, RF calibration, and parameter estimation.
Support MATLAB/Simulink code generation for signal processing and filtering.
Analyze algorithmic computational complexity and hardware resource needs, including FPGA fabric, memory, and I/O bandwidth.
Optimize FPGA-based DSP architectures to maximize signal-to-noise/clutter ratio, improve receiver sensitivity, and mitigate RF nonlinearity calibration.
Work with hardware engineers to drive device selection, including FPGA, ADC/DAC, DDR3/4, and NOR flash.
Support hardware bring-up and design verification alongside hardware engineers.
Implement RTL logic and develop FPGA prototypes.
Perform hardware-in-the-loop, bench-level, and integrated RF testing.
Participate in requirements, design, test-readiness, qualification, and acceptance reviews.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Basic and supplemental life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Short- and long-term disability.
401(k) with company match of up to 5%.
Education Support Program.
Stock options for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week.
Up to four weeks of paid time off per year based on weekly scheduled hours.
Up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Depending on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on company policy and discretion.