IP Firmware Design Engineer

Altera; Toronto; On-site; CAD 92,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

Altera is hiring in Toronto, Ontario, to advance FPGA IP and DDR/LPDDR interfaces. You will design and verify high‑speed memory interfaces, calibrate memory systems, and integrate IP with the Quartus Prime CAD tool.

The role spans silicon knowledge, software, and customer applications in a fast‑changing data‑center and AI landscape. You will work on firmware algorithms for calibrating DDR5/LPDDR5 memories, collaborate with silicon design and validation teams, and help ensure seamless product

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Engineering Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related field
• 2+ years of experience in Digital logic hardware design or verification
• 2+ years of experience in scripting languages and/or software programming (e.g. Python/TCL/Perl and/or C/C++)

Responsibilities

• Architecture and Design based on the latest protocol specifications for DDR and LPDDR devices
• Firmware development for Memory Calibration
• Device support and CAD tool integration
• Verification (e.g. verification IP, methodologies, frameworks, bus functional models, regression tests)
• Hardware power‑on and debug
• New product release and rollout support
• Customer technical support

Skills

Digital logic hardware

SystemVerilog/Verilog/VHDL

Scripting languages

C/C++

Firmware development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering / Electrical Engineering / Computer Science

Tools

Quartus Prime

Job description

About Altera

At Altera™, our independence as the world’s largest pure‑play FPGA solutions provider gives us the focus, speed, and agility to innovate without compromise. With more than four decades of industry‑leading FPGA expertise, our singular mission is to deliver the programmable technologies that help customers differentiate, innovate, and scale across rapidly evolving markets like AI, cloud, networking, and edge. As an independent company, we move faster, invest deeper, and partner more closely—empowering our teams to drive breakthrough innovation and shape the future of the FPGA industry.

Job Details

Job Description

About Altera

At Altera™, our independence as the world’s largest pure‑play FPGA solutions provider gives us the focus, speed, and agility to innovate without compromise. With more than four decades of industry‑leading FPGA expertise, our singular mission is to deliver the programmable technologies that help customers differentiate, innovate, and scale across rapidly evolving markets like AI, cloud, networking, and edge. As an independent company, we move faster, invest deeper, and partner more closely—empowering our teams to drive breakthrough innovation and shape the future of the FPGA industry.

About The Role

Join Altera's IP solutions team and work on cutting edge FPGA RTL and IP design! Our team develops comprehensive solutions to provide customers easy and efficient access to the capabilities of Altera’s FPGA devices. These solutions are provided as highly configurable intellectual property (IP) cores that are fully integrated with Altera's software CAD tool, Quartus Prime. The External Memory Interfaces (EMIF) team is responsible for developing IPs for communication with state‑of‑the‑art DDR and LPDDR devices. The ever‑growing demand for faster and higher‑density memories - especially in the data center and machine learning sectors - presents a challenging design problem that requires system‑level knowledge of silicon, software, IP, and customer applications.

You will work with a team of engineers to develop and verify state‑of‑the‑art firmware algorithms for calibrating and training DDR5, LPDDR5, and future DDR and LPDDR memories. You will be working on advanced FPGA architectures, design definition, implementation, and verification of this firmware. In this role, you will work closely with multiple teams, including silicon design, pre‑and post‑silicon validation, application engineering, and customer experience teams to ensure seamless development, integration, and optimization of our high‑speed memory solutions.

Your specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Architecture and Design based on the latest protocol specifications for DDR and LPDDR devices
• Firmware development for Memory Calibration
• Device support and CAD tool integration
• Verification (e.g. verification IP, methodologies, frameworks, bus functional models, regression tests)
• Hardware power‑on and debug
• New product release and rollout support
• Customer technical support

The Candidate Should Possess The Following Behavioral Traits

• Strong skills in communication, initiative, innovation, and teamwork
• Highly motivated to learn and adapt to fast‑changing technologies and environments
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrate fundamental values such as accountability, integrity, and a winning mindset
• Collaborative mindset, strong influencing skills, and a willingness to work across geographical locations

Salary

Our compensation is designed to reflect the Canadian labour market. The actual salary offered may vary based on several factors, including the position’s location, as well as the candidate’s experience, skills, training, and job‑specific knowledge. In addition to base salary, we offer performance‑based incentive opportunities that reward both individual contributions and overall company success.

Estimated Salary Range: $91,800 - $132,975 CAD

We use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for the position. This posting is for an existing vacancy. Canadian work experience is not required for this role. Applicants must be eligible for any required Canada export authorizations.

Qualifications

You must possess the below minimum education requirements and minimum required qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Relevant experience can be obtained through schoolwork, classes, project work, internships, and/or military experience. Additional preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Engineering Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related field
• 2+ years of experience in Digital logic hardware (e.g. SystemVerilog, Verilog and/or VHDL) design or verification
• 2+ years of experience in scripting languages and/or software programming (e.g. Python/TCL/Perl and/or C/C++)

Preferred Qualifications

• FPGA design experience
• Experience with RTL simulation environments
• Experience with DDR and/or LPDDR hardware interfaces
• Experience with embedded software for I/O calibration

Job Type

Regular

Shift

Shift 1 (Canada)

Primary Location

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Posting Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.