Embedded FPGA Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

Booz Allen Hamilton is seeking an Embedded FPGA Engineer to design, implement, and validate DSP-enabled FPGA blocks on SOSA/VPX platforms. You will work across software, firmware, and hardware teams to deliver high-throughput, resource-efficient DSP solutions.

The role requires 3+ years of FPGA/SDR experience, HDL (Verilog/VHDL/SystemVerilog), Vitis HLS, Python, C++ Embedded, Linux, and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience developing FPGA or SDR solutions.
• Experience with HDL (Verilog/VHDL/SystemVerilog) and HLS tools.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering; TS/SCI eligibility or ability to obtain clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement FPGA-based DSP systems using HDL, HLS, and modern toolchains.
• Develop and optimize DSP algorithms for high-throughput hardware blocks.
• Collaborate with software, firmware, and system teams for integration.
• Test, verify, and validate FPGA designs under real-time constraints.
• Maintain documentation and contribute to design reuse and IP blocks.

Skills

FPGA

DSP

Verilog

VHDL

SystemVerilog

Vitis HLS

Python

C++ Embedded

MATLAB

Agile (Jira/Confluence)

Linux/Unix

Digital design fundamentals

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field

Tools

Vitis HLS

Job description

Embedded FPGA Engineer

The Opportunity: We are seeking a motivated FPGA, and software engineer to support the development, optimization, and deployment of digital signal processing (DSP) functions on a SOSA/VPX system. As a member of our engineering team, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and validating system components. You will contribute to building Rf signal processing applications on an embedded platform and with cutting edge FPGAs. As an FPGA developer, you should be comfortable with traditional processes such as writing HDL, using Vitis HLS. Additionally, you should be willing to learn new development acceleration tools that are outside of the traditional workflow. This role is ideal if you are an individual who demonstrates independence and excels as a self-guided learner and are able to proactively acquire new skills and knowledge. The ideal candidate is comfortable working both collaboratively within a varied, cross-functional team and as an individual contributor, taking initiative and ownership of their tasks. Adaptability, strong communication, and a willingness to share expertise are essential for success in this dynamic environment.

What You'll Work On

• Design and implement FPGA-based DSP systems using HDL, Vitis HLS and modern FPGA toolchains
• Develop and optimize DSP algorithms including filtering, detection, synchronization, modulation and demodulation, transforms into high-throughput, resource-efficient hardware blocks
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate FPGA designs with software, firmware, and larger system architectures
• Test, verify, and validate FPGA designs, ensuring functional correctness, stability, and performance under real-time constraints
• Optimize designs for timing, area, power, and throughput using HLS directives and traditional FPGA workflows
• Develop reusable hardware IP blocks, enabling scalable DSP pipelines and accelerating future development
• Maintain documentation, including design notes, block diagrams, interface definitions, user guides, and workflow references
• Contribute to innovation, identifying new techniques and technologies that improve FPGA development efficiency, DSP performance, or overall system capability

You Have:

• 3+ years of experience developing FPGA or SDR solutions
• Experience with Python, C++ Embedded, MATLAB, or languages used for modeling DSP algorithms
• Experience using Agile processes and tools, including Jira or confluence
• Experience with FPGA design using Verilog, VHDL, SystemVerilog, or HLS along with evaluation tools such as simulation, synthesis, fitting, timing analysis, implementation, and debug
• Experience with Linux/UNIX development environments and scripting languages
• Knowledge of digital design fundamentals, streaming architectures, pipelining, buffering, and data-path timing
• Ability to read hardware schematics and work with lab equipment, including logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in an Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering field

Nice If You Have:

• Experience implementing or prototyping DSP algorithms in hardware
• Experience with SOSA/VPX systems
• Experience developing HLS-friendly algorithms and optimizing C/C++ code for hardware translation
• Experience with porting and adapting vendor RF transceiver reference designs, such as RTL, IP cores, and drivers, to FPGA evaluation boards and custom platforms
• Experience with RF testing
• Experience with high-speed digital interfaces, such as AXI-Stream, AXI-Lite, DMA, and custom streaming buses
• Experience with GPU acceleration, parallel computing, or high-bandwidth data processing
• Experience gathering requirements, shaping development roadmaps, or supporting Agile workflows
• Experience with modern agentic engineering workflows, including AI-driven automation for FPGA design, simulation, synthesis, or testing
• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field

Clearance

Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Compensation

At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.

Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $86,800.00 to $198,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen’s total compensation package for employees.

This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Identity Statement

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in‑person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.

Work Model

• Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.
• Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen or customer facility, in alignment with your leadership’s expectations and the needs of the role.
• Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed full-time at a customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

About Booz Allen

Booz Allen is an advanced technology company. We build commercial-grade products and solutions for America’s most critical defense, civil, and national security priorities.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

Know Your Rights Poster Accommodations

Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application, hiring, or employment process because of a disability, a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance, or as otherwise required by applicable law should contact the Booz Allen Help Desk by calling 1-877-927-8278 or sending an email to [e-mail]. We will review requests on an individualized basis and provide reasonable accommodations consistent with applicable law.

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