Spaceborne FPGA Engineer — Hardware/Software Co-design

Open Cosmos Ltd; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Open Cosmos Ltd is seeking a skilled FPGA/flight software engineer to design, implement, and verify FPGA logic for satellite subsystems. You will interface onboard software (Rust/C) with HDL modules, simulate and validate designs, and collaborate with hardware and software teams across a full development lifecycle.

You will contribute to HIL testing, documentation, and optimisation for power and performance while adhering to ECSS standards and cleanroom protocols.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in VHDL/Verilog and simulation tools.
• Familiarity with Rust, C, or Python for software integration.
• Understanding of Agile/V-model lifecycles and FPGA verification processes.
• Awareness of ECSS design standards and cleanroom/ESD protocols.
• Structured, detail-oriented mindset with a passion for innovation.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and verify FPGA logic for satellite subsystems and onboard computing.
• Develop HDL code (VHDL/Verilog) to interface with onboard software modules written in Rust.
• Simulate, synthesise, and validate FPGA designs using industry-standard tools.
• Work with electronics and software engineers to integrate FPGA modules into system architectures.
• Develop test benches and verification frameworks to ensure timing, functionality, and reliability.
• Participate in full hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and environmental testing.
• Maintain documentation, configuration control, and process traceability throughout the design lifecycle.
• Continuously optimise performance, power, and resource utilisation within constraints.

Skills

VHDL/Verilog

ModelSim

Vivado

Rust

C

Python

Agile/V-model lifecycles

FPGA verification processes

ECSS design standards

Cleanroom/ESD protocols

Structured, detail-oriented mindset

Tools

ModelSim

Vivado

Job description

Open Cosmos Ltd is seeking a skilled FPGA/flight software engineer to design, implement, and verify FPGA logic for satellite subsystems. You will interface onboard software (Rust/C) with HDL modules, simulate and validate designs, and collaborate with hardware and software teams across a full development lifecycle.

You will contribute to HIL testing, documentation, and optimisation for power and performance while adhering to ECSS standards and cleanroom protocols.