Senior FPGA Engineer II

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

About The Position

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior FPGA Engineer II for a future opening on its FPGA team in Long Beach, California. The team supports the Space Systems division and satellite programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers. The role develops and verifies FPGA firmware for spacecraft avionics, collaborating with engineers across disciplines and contributing throughout the firmware lifecycle, from requirements definition through design, implementation, verification, and testing. The position also offers opportunities to test and operate systems on orbit.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical, computer, or software engineering, or another engineering degree.
At least 8 years of experience with FPGA firmware development.
Proficiency in VHDL.
Strong understanding of FPGA design fundamentals and principles.
U.S. citizenship due to program requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD degree in electrical, computer, or software engineering, or another engineering degree.
Proficiency with Xilinx and Microchip devices and tools.
Proficiency with verification frameworks including UVM and VUnit.
Experience with software-defined radios and DSP algorithms.
Experience with feedback control systems.
Experience with FPGAs and embedded systems in a radiation environment, including SEU/SEL impacts and mitigation within spacecraft avionics.
Proficiency in signal integrity and digital timing concepts, with experience in digital worst-case circuit analysis (DWCCA).
Experience with common interface protocols including SPI, UART, I2C, and CAN.
Experience with high-speed interface protocols including GigE and PCIe.
Proficiency with embedded software.
Proficiency in reading PCB designs and schematics.
Proficiency with laboratory tools and working with hardware.
Proficiency with GIT repositories.
Proficiency with JIRA.
Experience developing in a continuous integration environment.
Demonstrated success working in a dynamic environment and ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with other engineering disciplines to develop firmware architecture and requirements.
Design and verify FPGA firmware for Xilinx and Microchip FPGA and SoC devices.
Develop documentation for FPGA operation and interfaces with other software and FPGA systems.
Participate in test campaigns, from module-level testing through automated unit- and system-level testing.

Benefits

Company stock as part of the total compensation package.
Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company HSA contribution.
Dental and vision coverage.
Paid vacation and sick time.
11 paid holidays.
Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
Paid parental leave.
Disability and life insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Subsidized EV charging.
Onsite fitness centers where available.
Discounted gym memberships.
Complimentary snacks and beverages.
50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
Other employee discounts.