Sr. FPGA Engineer II

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate-change mitigation, national security, and technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered over 230 satellites to orbit. We are also developing Neutron, a medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment.

Our Space Systems division designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. The team has enabled over 1,700 missions, from interplanetary exploration to national security initiatives, working with partners like NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

About the role

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. As a Sr. FPGA Engineer II based in Chantilly, VA, you will support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) using the latest FPGA technologies, including Xilinx, to advance Electro-Optical (EO/IR) technology.

Responsibilities

• Work with the hardware design team on requirements.
• Complete FPGA logic design, coding, simulation, and testing.
• Support hardware and software development teams in bring-up and test of products.
• Provide subject-matter expertise regarding design and automated test development procedures to customers and production support team.
• Perform research and analysis of data, such as customer proposed specifications, datasheets, or manuals to determine design approach and/or feasibility.
• Execute debugging of the design in the lab.
• Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering or equivalent discipline with 8+ years of experience.
• Experience in FPGA firmware design with VHDL.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Xilinx/AMD Versal architecture.
• Experience with FPGAs and embedded systems in a radiation environment, including SEU/SEL impact and mitigation.
• Experience in FPGA- or ASIC-based image processing algorithms.
• Experience in both creating IP from scratch in RTL and integrating existing IP into RTL and block designs.
• Familiarity with C, Python, or MATLAB and/or experience translating algorithms from a scripted language to HDL.
• Experience with software interfaces including interrupts and DMA.
• Experience with DDR4, Aurora, and high-speed transceiver design and verification.
• Familiarity with AXI Stream and AXI Memory Mapped interfaces.
• PCB design and schematic capture and layout with tools such as Altium Designer.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.

Work Environment

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Pay

Base Pay Range (VA Only): $143,300 USD - $238,700 USD. Final agreed-upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab’s compensation package for this role.

Benefits

• Eligibility for company stock or cash incentives.
• Option to purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan options.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Other discounts and perks.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.