FPGA Firmware Engineer

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced FPGA Firmware Engineer to support Software Defined Radio (SDR) systems within a defense-focused engineering environment. This role emphasizes hardware description language (HDL) development and application design for embedded system-on-chip (SoC) platforms, while also contributing to broader embedded software development efforts including architecture, integration, testing, automation, and system demonstrations.
This position is contingent upon funding.

What You Will Do

• Architect software and firmware systems for embedded SoC hardware platforms

• Design, develop, and maintain new and legacy FPGA logic components

• Develop communication interfaces between distributed software components

• Create embedded Linux applications and drivers to integrate FPGA hardware with software systems

• Package and integrate IP components within FPGA block designs

• Design and develop testbenches and validation tools

• Develop for and integrate with digital signal processors (DSPs)

• Implement partial reconfiguration strategies for FPGA platforms

• Utilize containerization approaches to dynamically program FPGAs

• Automate development workflows using scripting tools

• Participate in system integration activities and technical demonstrations

Requirements

• 5–8 years of experience developing and maintaining FPGA firmware

• Proficiency in VHDL and familiarity with high-level programming languages such as C/C++

• Comfortable working in Linux development environments

• Strong understanding of software development life cycles

• Formal education or equivalent experience in systems engineering, software engineering, or related discipline

• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a technical team

• U.S. Citizenship required

• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance required

Desired Qualifications

• Experience developing embedded software for general-purpose processors (GPPs) and/or DSPs

• Experience with embedded Linux and SoC-based architectures

• Experience with Xilinx FPGAs and Vivado/Vitis toolchains

• Familiarity with embedded OS build systems such as Yocto, Buildroot, or PetaLinux

• Experience with SDR platforms and related frameworks

• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Bash and TCL

• Familiarity with MATLAB for signal processing and modeling

• Experience with containerization and virtualization tools (Docker, Kubernetes, Vagrant, Ansible)

• Familiarity with modular open systems architectures such as CMOSS, SOSA, MORA, VICTORY, or OpenVPX

Travel Requirements

• Occasional domestic travel (less than 10%) to support stakeholder meetings, system integration, and demonstrations