Embedded Firmware/FPGA Engineer

Fabric8Labs; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Unmetered vacation policy

Job summary

Fabric8Labs, headquartered in sunny San Diego, CA, is advancing a patented ECAM process through embedded firmware and FPGA-based control systems. We seek an Embedded Firmware/FPGA Engineer to design, implement, and bring up firmware and digital logic that drive our printers and data acquisition subsystems.

You will collaborate with hardware, software, and controls teams, integrate sensors and control electronics, and support debugging, validation, and hardware bring-up as we scale production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or related field.
• FPGA development experience using VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog.
• Embedded systems programming in C/C++/Python.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test FPGA-based digital logic for machine control and data acquisition.
• Develop and maintain embedded firmware for control, monitoring, and communication subsystems.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate digital hardware with sensors and electronics.
• Support bring-up, debugging, and validation of PCBs, FPGA logic, and firmware.
• Contribute to simulation, verification, and prototyping of hardware/firmware solutions.
• Document designs, test plans, and results clearly and concisely.
• Participate in continuous improvement of development processes and toolchains.

Skills

Digital design

FPGA development

Embedded programming

PCB design tools

Lab instruments

Strong problem-solving

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

Xilinx Vivado

Intel Quartus

PYNQ

Zynq architectures

Job description

Embedded Firmware/FPGA Engineer

Fabric8Labs

Fabric8Labs, headquartered in sunny San Diego, CA, is revolutionizing advanced manufacturing with next-generation 3D printing technology. We're looking for an Embedded Firmware/FPGA Engineer as we scale our patented Electrochemical Additive Manufacturing (ECAM) process for global production.

ECAM uses precise, room-temperature metal deposition to unlock geometries and applications that conventional metal AM can't reach. Since announcing our agreement to be acquired by TDK Corporation, we're rapidly expanding our team to advance this disruptive technology across a wide range of electronics components—including data center infrastructure, wireless communications, and power electronics.

As an Embedded Firmware/FPGA Engineer, you’ll be contributing to the company’s efforts to push the boundaries of ECAM technology by developing the embedded firmware and FPGA-based digital systems that control, monitor, and acquire data from our printers. This will involve designing and implementing digital logic and embedded software, integrating with sensors and control electronics, and supporting the bring-up, debugging, and validation of new hardware. Your work will directly improve the performance, reliability, and capabilities of our printer fleet while helping establish the architectures and technical foundations for future generations of ECAM systems.

This is a fast-paced, intellectually challenging position that requires strong analytical skills, hands‑on problem solving, and the ability to work effectively across the boundary between hardware and software. We’re changing the manufacturing industry, and we’re looking for someone who thrives in a dynamic R&D environment while helping develop the robust embedded systems needed to successfully scale our technology into production.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test FPGA-based digital logic for machine control and data acquisition.
• Develop and maintain embedded firmware (C/C++/Python/VHDL/Verilog) for control, monitoring, and communication subsystems.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate digital hardware with sensors, analog circuits, and mechanical systems.
• Support bring-up, debugging, and validation of PCBs, FPGA logic, and embedded firmware.
• Contribute to simulation, verification, and prototyping of hardware/firmware solutions.
• Document designs, test plans, and results clearly and concisely.
• Participate in continuous improvement of development processes and toolchains.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Solid understanding of digital design principles, logic circuits, and microcontrollers.
• Coursework or project experience with FPGA development (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog).
• Experience with embedded systems programming (C/C++/Python).
• Familiarity with PCB design tools (e.g., Altium, Eagle, or similar).
• Hands‑on experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and power supplies.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to learn quickly.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of industry experience in FPGA or embedded systems development.
• Experience with FPGA toolchains (Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus, etc.).
• Experience with PYNQ and ZYNQ architectures.
• Familiarity with communication protocols (SPI, I²C, UART, Ethernet).
• Knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS) and software-hardware integration.
• Exposure to signal processing or control system design.
• Interest in additive manufacturing, robotics, or industrial automation.

Why Work at Fabric8Labs?

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package, health, dental, and vision plans; 401(k) with employer match; and an unmetered vacation policy.
• We have a collaborative work environment where we work in tight‑knit teams focused on transforming manufacturing technology.
• Regular catered company events and celebrations, and a fully stocked breakroom!

Other information

• Routinely required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch. Routinely required to move around the facility.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• May require travel (domestic and/or international) dependent on business needs, up to 10%
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Fabric8Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Fabric8Labs prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• FPGA: 2 years (Required)

Location:

• San Diego, CA 92121 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person