FPGA Design Engineer – DSP & High-Speed Interfaces

FAE Technology S.p.a.; Bergamo, Roma, Faenza, Padova; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

FAE Technology S.p.a. seeks an experienced FPGA Designer to join its R&D team. You will architect, develop and integrate firmware on FPGA/SoC platforms with emphasis on DSP and ultra-high-speed interfaces in demanding environments.

The role requires 3–5 years of firmware experience, strong VHDL/Verilog expertise, and hands-on use of Vivado, Quartus, and ModelSim. You’ll engage across Telecom, Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, and Industrial sectors.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electronic/Telecommunications/Computer Engineering or equivalent.
• 3–5 years firmware development on FPGA architectures.
• Deep knowledge of leading SoC/FPGA platforms (e.g. AMD/Xilinx UltraScale+, Zynq, Versal; Intel Stratix/Agilex).
• Full proficiency in VHDL and/or Verilog/SystemVerilog.

Responsibilities

• Firmware Architecture and Development: design and implement complex firmware modules in VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
• DSP-based Signal Processing: translate and optimize DSP algorithms for high-performance FPGA implementations.
• High-Speed Interfaces: design and validate PCIe, 10/100G Ethernet, JESD204B/C, DDR4/DDR5, HDMI, DisplayPort links.
• Simulation and Verification: build testbenches using UVM/SystemVerilog and run pre-/post-synthesis simulations.
• Timing Closure: manage timing constraints, optimize Place & Route for high clock rates.
• Lab Debugging: collaborate with hardware team using oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.
• Documentation: prepare architecture, test specifications, and interface docs.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree (Electronic/Telecom/CS)

Tools

Vivado

Quartus Prime

ModelSim

QuestaSim

MATLAB/Simulink

HLS

VHDL

Verilog/SystemVerilog

Job description

We offer: Contract type and compensation will be defined based on the candidate’s experience.

We are looking for a talented and experienced FPGA Designer to join our R&D team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the architecture, development, and integration of advanced firmware on state-of-the-art FPGA/SoC technologies. The ideal candidate has strong expertise in the hardware implementation of digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms and in managing ultra-high-speed serial interfaces, working in high-performance application environments (e.g. Telecommunications, Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, or Industrial Automation).

The role involves:

• Firmware Architecture and Development: Design and implement complex firmware modules in VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
• Radio and Video Signal Processing (DSP): Translate, optimize, and implement in silicon mathematical and filtering algorithms (e.g. FIR/IIR filters, FFT, modulations, embedded control loops, RFSoC algorithms, video processing chains) derived from high-level models.
• High-Speed Interfaces: Design, configure, and validate high-performance serial interfaces (PCIe, 10/100G Ethernet, JESD204B/C, Aurora, DDR4/DDR5, HDMI, DisplayPort).
• Simulation and Verification: Create advanced testbench environments (UVM, SystemVerilog, or using standard tools) for functional verification and pre- and post-synthesis simulation.
• Timing Closure: Manage complex timing constraints (SDC/XDC), analyze synthesis reports, and optimize placement and routing (Place & Route) to ensure timing closure at high clock frequencies.
• Integration and Laboratory Debugging: Work closely with the Hardware team on electronic board bring-up, using advanced instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and bus analyzers.
• Documentation: Prepare project technical documentation (architecture, test specifications, registers, and control interfaces).

Requirements:

HARD SKILLS

• Education: Master’s Degree in Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent.
• Experience: At least 3–5 years of experience in firmware development on FPGA architectures.
• Reference Platforms: In-depth knowledge of leading SoC/FPGA platforms (e.g. AMD/Xilinx UltraScale+, Zynq, Versal, or Intel Stratix/Agilex platforms).
• Hardware Programming Languages: Full proficiency in VHDL and/or Verilog/SystemVerilog.
• Development Tools: Proficiency in native IDE development environments (e.g. Vivado Design Suite, Quartus Prime) and simulation tools (e.g. ModelSim, QuestaSim).
• Algorithmic Modeling: Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and high-level synthesis tools (HLS – High-Level Synthesis).
• Signal Integrity: Basic understanding of issues related to high-speed PCB layout (Signal Integrity and Power Integrity).

SOFT SKILLS

• Problem Solving: Analytical and methodical approach focused on the rapid identification and resolution of complex hardware bugs.
• Teamwork: Ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary teams (System Engineers, Hardware Designers, Embedded Software Engineers).
• Languages: Excellent command of technical English, both written and spoken.