Fpga Engineer

About the role

The FPGA Engineer will design and develop software-defined radio (SDR) communication payloads for advanced space missions, including deep-space, lunar, and Mars communication systems. This role focuses on creating, implementing, and maintaining FPGA designs using Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL for space-based platforms, with a strong emphasis on digital signal processing and robust verification.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain FPGA-based solutions for software-defined radio (SDR) communication payloads used in deep-space, lunar, and Mars missions.
• Develop FPGA architectures and modules using Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL for space systems and related applications.
• Design and integrate digital signal processing (DSP) functions, including filtering, modulation and demodulation, channelization, and rate conversion.
• Perform simulation and functional verification of FPGA designs using industry-standard tools such as QuestaSim and Vivado Simulator.
• Conduct validation activities to ensure FPGA designs meet performance, reliability, and quality requirements for space flight and defense industry applications.
• Create and maintain clear technical documentation for FPGA designs, interfaces, and verification results.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to integrate FPGA solutions into broader communication payload and space system architectures.
• Contribute to ongoing improvements in design methodologies, verification practices, and tool usage to enhance development efficiency and product reliability.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience in FPGA design and development.
• Strong proficiency in Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL for FPGA implementation.
• Hands-on experience with Xilinx toolchains, including Xilinx Vivado.
• Demonstrated experience with simulation and verification tools such as QuestaSim and Vivado Simulator.
• Background in space flight or defense industry projects, with an understanding of the requirements and constraints of these environments.
• Proven ability to perform verification and validation of complex FPGA designs.
• Eligibility to work on programs that require United States permanent residency.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience designing FPGA-based software-defined radio (SDR) systems for communication payloads.
• Knowledge of digital signal processing techniques, including filtering, modulation/demodulation, channelization, and rate conversion.
• Familiarity with the challenges and reliability requirements of space systems and mission-critical hardware.
• Ability to produce thorough technical documentation and design reports.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail in high-reliability design environments.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively within a small, highly skilled engineering team.
• Motivation to contribute to hardware development for multiple space flight programs and cutting-edge missions.

Work Environment

This role is based within a growing engineering team in Southern California that focuses on advanced space flight hardware development. The team currently consists of experienced engineers with a strong background in space systems and is planned to expand significantly in the coming months. You will work in a collaborative environment using industry-standard FPGA design, simulation, and verification tools such as Xilinx Vivado and QuestaSim, contributing directly to multiple space flight programs and next-generation communication payloads.

Pay

• $80.00 - $95.00/hr

Schedule

• This is a Contract to Hire position
• Hybrid position in Whittier, CA

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 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)