FPGA System Architect - Electronics Engineer

About the role

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Central Development Laboratory (CDL) at the NRAO is seeking an experienced FPGA System Architect (Electronics Engineer) to join its digital design team. The engineer will lead the technical execution, integration, and deployment of a digital signal processing system for a next-generation radio telescope synthesis array, guiding the system through implementation, design reviews, integration, and operational deployment while supporting requirements refinement as needed.

CDL's digital design team develops advanced digital signal processing systems that enable radio astronomy research, supporting scientific studies of galaxy formation, the origins of stars and planets, and black holes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, integration, and deployment of the antenna-side FPGA-based digital signal processing system.
• Define subsystem decomposition, interfaces, and data flow across FPGA processing elements, embedded software, timing and synchronization systems, digitizers, and external data transport systems.
• Lead subsystem design reviews and contribute to system-level design reviews.
• Document system architectures, interfaces, design decisions, and verification approaches.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Eight years of experience developing complex FPGA-based digital signal processing systems.
• Experience leading the architecture, development, integration, and deployment of FPGA-based systems.
• Experience defining system architectures, subsystem interfaces, and data flows across FPGA processing, embedded software, and external system interfaces.
• Experience with timing and synchronization concepts for high-throughput FPGA systems.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to coordinate technical efforts across multiple teams.
• Strong leadership ability.
• Attention to detail is critical.

Pay

The starting salary of this position is between $90,015 and $138,000. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days).
• Medical, dental and vision plans effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.