Electronics FPGA Design Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Electronics FPGA Design Engineer to design, develop, and integrate electronic modules and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) designs for cutting-edge aerospace and spaceflight projects. You will follow designs through the entire lifecycle—from concept and detailed design to manufacturing, assembly, and testing—while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams, including scientists, project personnel, and engineers from various disciplines. This role supports the Research, Science and Engineering Services (RSES) contract at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia and is ideal for a self-starter who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to contribute directly to mission-critical flight hardware and advanced sensor systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and test electronic modules and FPGA designs for advanced sensors and spaceflight systems.
• Create clear and comprehensive design documentation and deliverables for FPGA designs.
• Support and participate in FPGA code reviews to ensure designs meet NASA standards and project requirements.
• Collaborate closely with software and electrical engineering teams to integrate and test FPGA designs within larger system architectures.
• Research and maintain up-to-date knowledge of state-of-the-art electronic and FPGA devices used in space missions to inform effective system design choices.
• Conduct functional testing, troubleshooting, and assembly of electronic systems to ensure reliability and performance.
• Integrate cameras, GPS modules, and data-saving systems into electronic and FPGA-based designs.
• Communicate effectively with scientists, project managers, and engineers across avionics, software, thermal/structural, and mechanical design teams to ensure alignment and mission success.
• Work as part of a team of engineers from the electronics design branch, including avionics leads, FPGA designers, and electronic designers, to deliver high-quality flight hardware.
• Collaborate with technicians and interact regularly with software, thermal/structural, mechanical design teams, and project personnel during development and testing.
• Engage with scientists, project managers, and chief engineers to review design progress, resolve technical issues, and support mission objectives.
• Support occasional overtime efforts to meet critical delivery deadlines for flight missions and hardware.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in electronic design and development.
• Hands-on experience using Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis (SPICE) software tools for circuit simulation and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience designing and testing FPGA-based electronic systems.
• Strong ability to troubleshoot and test electronic systems to identify and resolve issues efficiently.
• Self-starter mindset with the ability to work independently, take initiative, and drive tasks to completion.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for documentation, reporting, and presentations.

Additional Qualifications

• Strong integration skills, particularly with cameras, GPS modules, and data-saving systems.
• Experience working with advanced sensors and spaceflight systems.
• Prior experience with spaceflight hardware is beneficial but not required.
• Familiarity with avionics and electronics design practices for aerospace applications.
• Ability to stay current with emerging technologies and devices relevant to space missions.
• Background or interest in modeling and simulation, data analytics, systems engineering, or flight hardware development.

Work Environment

This fully onsite role is based at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. You will work in a highly collaborative, engineering-focused environment alongside scientists, engineers, technicians, and project personnel engaged in advanced aerospace and research initiatives. The setting involves access to laboratory spaces, electronic test equipment, and development tools used for designing, assembling, and validating flight hardware and sensor systems. The culture emphasizes innovation, technical excellence, and teamwork, with occasional overtime required to meet critical mission and delivery deadlines.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $100,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short- and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation, or Sick Leave)