Digital Design Engineer

Actalent; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k)

On-site lab facilities

Job summary

Actalent in Milwaukee, WI is seeking a seasoned FPGA/HDL engineer to design, implement and validate FPGA-based digital systems and advanced power control firmware. You will write HDL, simulate, and debug designs, develop Python tooling, and use Matlab/Simulink to model electrical power systems while collaborating with power and controls engineers to optimize performance.

The candidate should have a BS in engineering and 5+ years of embedded HDL design experience, with familiarity with SPI, I2C,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience with embedded HDL design.
• Experience with SPI, I2C, AXI, CAN, Ethernet, EtherCAT, USB, or Fiber Optics.
• DSP experience in embedded/FPGA systems.
• Power electronics control experience.
• Proficiency in Verilog or VHDL for FPGA design.
• Experience using lab equipment to probe and debug digital hardware.
• Git or similar version control experience.
• C/C++ for embedded development.

Responsibilities

• Write, simulate, and debug HDL code for FPGA designs.
• Develop and maintain Python tooling to test FPGA designs.
• Model electrical power systems with Matlab/Simulink.
• Collaborate to optimize digital hardware and software integration.
• Implement embedded HDL designs with SPI, I2C, AXI, CAN, Ethernet, USB, etc.
• Develop HDL designs for DSP, power converter control, and motor control.
• Use lab equipment to test and debug digital hardware.
• Create scripted workflows with version control integration.
• Work with FPGA toolchains to synthesize and verify designs on hardware.
• Document designs, tests, and results for maintenance.

Skills

HDL design

Verilog/VHDL

FPGA development

Python scripting

Matlab/Simulink

Git/version control

ARM AMBA AXI/AXI-Stream

DSP in embedded systems

Power electronics concepts

Lab equipment (scope, analyzer)

C/C++ for embedded

Education

Bachelor of Science degree

Tools

AMD/Xilinx Vivado

Altium Designer

CMake

HDL Coder

Git

Python

Job description

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, implementing, and validating FPGA-based digital systems and advanced power control firmware. You will write, simulate, and debug HDL code, develop command-line tools for testing FPGA designs, and use Matlab and Simulink to model electrical power systems. You will collaborate closely with electrical power and controls engineers to optimize system performance by integrating both digital hardware and software expertise.

Responsibilities

• Write, simulate, and debug HDL code for FPGA designs, ensuring robust and reliable digital implementations.


• Develop and maintain command-line tooling, primarily in Python, to test and validate FPGA designs efficiently.


• Use Matlab and Simulink to model and analyze electrical power systems and support the development of advanced control algorithms.


• Apply combined digital hardware and software knowledge to optimize overall system design and performance.


• Collaborate with electrical power engineers and controls engineers to develop advanced power control firmware for power systems and power electronics applications.


• Implement and support embedded systems HDL designs involving communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, memory buses, ARM AMBA AHB or AXI, CAN, RS485, Ethernet, EtherCAT, USB, and Fiber Optics.


• Develop HDL designs for digital signal processing, switching power converter control, and motor control applications.


• Use lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and network analyzers to probe, test, and debug digital hardware.


• Use Python to create scripted workflows and tooling integrated with version control systems to support repeatable testing and development.


• Work with FPGA toolchains and related software to synthesize, implement, and verify designs on target hardware.


• Document designs, test procedures, and results clearly to support ongoing development and future maintenance.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree.


• 5+ years of industry experience with embedded systems HDL design.


• Experience with one or more communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, memory bus, ARM AMBA AHB or AXI, CAN, RS485, Ethernet, EtherCAT, USB, or Fiber Optics.


• Experience with digital signal processing (DSP) in embedded or FPGA-based systems.


• Experience with switching power converter control in power electronics applications.


• Experience with motor control implementations using HDL or embedded systems.


• Proficiency using Verilog or VHDL for FPGA and digital logic design.


• Ability to use lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and network analyzers to probe and debug digital hardware.


• Experience using Python to create command-line tooling and scripted workflows.


• Experience using Git or similar version control systems for source code and HDL management.


• Hands‑on experience with FPGA design and implementation.


• Knowledge of power systems and power electronics concepts relevant to digital control.


• Familiarity with HDL‑based development flows including simulation, synthesis, and hardware debugging.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using Matlab and Simulink, including HDL Coder, to model and generate code for electrical power systems.


• Experience working with AMD/Xilinx Vivado tool suite and related FPGA platforms.


• Experience with fixed‑point mathematics and its application in digital control and DSP implementations.


• Experience with both Verilog and VHDL for greater flexibility in digital design.


• Experience designing ARM AMBA AXI and AXI‑Stream connected modules.


• Understanding of clock domain management and clock domain crossing techniques in digital systems.


• Experience with CMake for build configuration and automation.


• Experience with digital hardware design using Altium Designer or similar electronic design automation tools.


• Experience with C or C++ for embedded systems development.


• Experience with embedded Linux and microcontroller (MCU) development.


• Experience with power systems and power electronics design and control.


• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to debug complex digital and embedded systems.


• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Work Environment

This position is based in a research and development center located in Milwaukee, WI. The role is on‑site, providing direct access to lab facilities, FPGA development platforms, and test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and network analyzers. The environment supports hands‑on work with digital hardware, FPGA boards, and power electronics systems, as well as software tools including Matlab, Simulink, HDL Coder, AMD/Xilinx Vivado, Altium Designer, Git, Python, and CMake.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Milwaukee, WI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

• Full benefits- health, dental, vision, 401K

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Milwaukee,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.