SatCom, ISR & Space Payload Architect
Altera Semiconductor•San Jose, CA
•Onsite
About The Position
Altera is seeking a SatCom, ISR, and Space Payload Architect to lead technical engagements and solution development for next-generation space and defense platforms. This role will focus on architecting FPGA-based solutions for satellite communications, intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance (ISR), and onboard space payload processing. Candidates must be located within a commutable distance of the Altera New Hampshire office, once the office is established.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field; Master’s preferred
- 8+ years of experience in satellite communications, ISR systems, or space payload design
- Strong background in digital signal processing (DSP) for communications or sensing systems
- Hands-on experience with FPGA design (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog, RTL development)
- Experience with communication protocols and standards (e.g., DVB-S2/S2X, CCSDS, LDPC, etc.)
- Familiarity with high-speed data interfaces (e.g., PCIe, Ethernet, JESD204)
- Experience with system-level design in constrained environments (power, thermal, radiation)
- Applicants must be eligible for any required U.S. export authorizations.
- This position may involve work on U.S. Government contracts that require access to controlled or classified information. Accordingly, all applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance as a condition of employment.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with onboard satellite payload processing or software-defined payloads
- Knowledge of RF systems, link budgets, and waveform design
- Experience with AI/ML acceleration in ISR or space-based analytics
- Familiarity with Altera FPGA architecture and toolchain
- Understanding of radiation-tolerant design and space qualification requirements
- Strong system-level architecture and problem-solving skills
- Ability to balance performance, power, and reliability for space environments
- Customer-facing experience with aerospace/defense stakeholders
- Clear communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Responsibilities
- Define system architectures for SatCom, ISR, and space payload applications leveraging Altera FPGA technologies
- Partner with customers and internal teams to translate mission requirements into scalable, high-performance solutions
- Design and optimize signal processing pipelines for applications such as modulation/demodulation, channelization, encryption, and image/sensor processing
- Drive adoption of FPGA-based acceleration for onboard processing, including real-time and edge compute in space environments
- Collaborate with hardware, software, and product teams to influence roadmap and deliver optimized solutions
- Support system integration across RF front-end, digital processing, and high-speed interconnects
- Provide technical leadership across design, verification, and deployment phases
- Develop reference architectures, white papers, and technical collateral for aerospace and defense customers
Benefits
- Incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
