Staff Electrical Engineer, FPGA Development
Core
Cross-team technical authority for reconfigurable logic architecture across spacecraft avionics and payload systems, defining frameworks and leading real-time FPGA-based image processing pipelines for on-orbit detection and tracking.
Role type
Staff IC FPGA Engineer (Space Systems)
Builds
Autonomous spacecraft avionics, advanced payloads, and real-time image processing pipelines for space-based interceptors.
Domain
Defense / Aerospace / FPGA Hardware
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | infrastructure
Required skills
VHDL, Verilog, FPGA synthesis flows, multi-clock domain design, real-time image processing pipelines, high-speed Ethernet interfaces (MAC/PHY, Layer 2 switches), system-level avionics architecture, cross-team solution architecture, program-level delivery management, engineering mentorship.
Preferred skills
Space-qualified/radiation-hardened FPGA families (PolarFire, ProASIC3, SmartFusion2), computer vision algorithms in FPGA (object detection, centroiding, tracking), SpaceWire/PCIe/embedded bus protocols, C/C++/Python for firmware integration.
Technologies
VHDL, Verilog, PolarFire, ProASIC3, SmartFusion2, SpaceWire, PCIe, SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet MAC/PHY, Layer 2 switches.
Responsibilities
Define and own reconfigurable logic architectures across avionics and payload systems ensuring common frameworks and IP reuse; Lead design and development of real-time FPGA-based image processing pipelines for on-orbit spacecraft detection and tracking; Establish digital interface standards, FPGA reliability standards, and component qualification strategy; Own FPGA verification methodology across multiple concurrent projects; Design and implement high-speed Ethernet interfaces including MAC/PHY integration and Layer 2 switch development; Optimize avionics architecture at the system level informing trade studies; Coach engineers across teams and codify best practices.
Seniority
Staff, hands-on IC with program-level leadership
