Embedded Software- Engineer

Aquila Technology; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 15 days + 10 holidays + 4 floating

Tuition reimbursement

401K with employer match

Cell phone & internet reimbursement

BYOD program

Job summary

Aquila Technology is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to support a defense research organization, developing HDL firmware for FPGAs and DSP workflows in wireless systems. The role emphasizes on-site work near Lexington, MA, requiring active Secret clearance and US citizenship.

You'll design, simulate, test, and integrate FPGA firmware (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog) for Virtex-based devices, collaborate with hardware and software teams, and ensure system-level performance and reliability in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 15+ years with complex HDL implementations.
• 15+ years FPGA development (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog).
• 15 years FPGA design in hardware, constraint creation.
• 10 years Embedded Software.
• 5 years ASIC/FPGA/VLSI/mixed-signal design.
• 3 years Xilinx toolsets (Vivado, Vitis).
• Experience with design/HDL analysis, high-speed and low-power design.

Responsibilities

• Designs and implements firmware for embedded devices and systems from requirements to production deployment.
• Develops HDL code for FPGAs embedded in RF subsystems and general-purpose computing.
• Involved in specifications, design and development of embedded HDL for engineering projects.
• Analyzes and enhances efficiency, stability and scalability of system resources.
• Integrates and validates new product designs.
• Provides post-development support including integration, testing, and verification at system level.

Skills

FPGA design

Verilog

VHDL

SystemVerilog

Embedded software

C/C++

Multithreaded RTOS

Xilinx toolchain

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Xilinx Virtex FPGA

Synplicity

Xilinx ISE

Modelsim

Unix

Vivado

Vitis

Source control tools

Job description

Embedded Software- Engineer

Clearance Level: Must have an Active Secret Clearance to be considered for this role due to the nature of the work. MUST BE US CITIZEN

Location: 100% on-site due to the nature of the work - Must be within 100 miles of Lexington, MA

At Aquila Technology, you will see our team’s passion every day, whether we are building a robust, policy-compliant IT system or stress-testing a system to identify gaps and security vulnerabilities. To own the advantage, we ensure our team owns results and gets the work done right the first time by deploying smart, purposeful solutions that work. Aquila is the right people with the right skills driving the right outcomes. We call this the Aquila Advantage.

About the Role:

Aquila Technology is seeking a Embedded Software Engineer to support a leading defense research organization. The team is in need of an Embedded Software Engineer to develop digital signal processor FPGA firmware for use in wireless communications systems.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Designs and implements firmware for embedded devices and systems from requirements to production/deployment.
• Designs, develops, codes, tests, and debugs Hardware Design Language (HDL) code for FPGAs embedded within a large system consisting of RF subsystems, embedded processors, and general-purpose computing. The FPGAs will interface directly with hardware elements, as well as, general purpose computing.
• Involved in specifications, design and development of embedded HDL in engineering projects.
• Analyzes and enhances efficiency, stability and scalability of system resources.
• Integrates and validates new product designs.
• Supports firmware and system quality assurance.
• Provides post development support including integration, testing, and verification at the system level.
• Will support both HDL and system level debugging. Experience in hands-on development and troubleshooting on embedded targets.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor's degree is required for this role
• Multiple years of experience with the FPGA firmware development process is required, including VHDL code development, simulation, synthesis, timing closure, and FPGA verification.
• Verilog experience
• Must be proficient in all aspects of FPGA design and verification.
• In-depth familiarity with Xilinx FPGAs, particularly the Virtex family, and in-depth knowledge of Synplicity, Xilinx ISE, Modelsim, Unix, laboratory test equipment, and source/revision control tools.
• Experience developing implementation architectures from requirements documents or high level specifications.
• Requires use and maintenance of legacy IP.
• Requires ability to troubleshoot designs operating within an integrated system.
• Knowledge of Verilog, Matlab, C/C++, Perl, XST, system C, system Verilog, Altera FPGA device technology, and/or RF system performance analysis.
• Proven experience in embedded systems design with preemptive, multitasking real-time operating systems.
• Knowledge of reading schematics and data sheets for components.
• Strong documentation and writing skills.
• Requires ability to communicate and work with teams on multiple-person chip developments.

Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree is preferred
• Experience with wireless communications systems, digital signal processing, and/or communication theory is desired.
• Experience in the design and debug of complex circuit boards, and/or design involving embedded DSPs or general purpose microprocessors is also desired.

Must Have

• Degree Level:Bachelor's Degree
• 15 years - Experience with complex, high-speed HDL based implementations of algorithms
• 15 years - Experience with design/HDL analysis, including high speed and low power design
• 15 years - Xilinx FPGA
• 15 years - Implementing FPGA designs in hardware, including the creation of constraint files
• 15 years - Firmware
• 10 years - Embedded Software
• 15 years - FPGA Development (VHDL/Verilog or SystemVerilog)
• 15 years - FPGA Programming
• 10 years - Software Design/Development
• 5 years - ASICs, FPGA, VLSI, and Mixed Signal Circuit Design
• 1 years - Multithreaded and Multiprocessor Applications
• 3 years - Xilinx Toolsets (Vivado, Vitis)
• 5 years - System Integration and Validation

Nice to Have

• Degree Level: Masters Degree
• Circuit Design
• Digital and Wireless Radio/Communications Technology
• ASIC Design
• DSP, Processor, Micro Controllers

Benefits and Perks:

Aquila team members experience the opportunity to be part of a fast-paced, customer-focused, and technically innovative work environment. Aquila strives to deliver the best of the best in technical services to our customers. Candidates that possess a love for technical challenges, a desire to constantly learn, and the desire to establish themselves as critical players within a team will enjoy calling Aquila Technology home.

Our Perks Include:

PTO - 15 days (vacation/sick) 10 paid holidays - 6 standard (New Year’s, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) - 4 floating holidays prorated based on your day of hire:

• 1.5 paid days, or 12 hours, for approved volunteer work
• 1 week of paid maternity/paternity LOA after 1 year of Full-time employment

Tuition & Training Reimbursement- 5K annually for pre-approved, Eligible full-time team members who have completed a minimum of six (6) months of employment may apply for tuition reimbursement for approved, job-related courses taken through an accredited college or university. Team members must achieve a grade of “B” or better to qualify for reimbursement.Aquila will reimburse up to $5,000 per fiscal year for tuition expenses only. Expenses related to training programs, certifications, books, materials, meals, transportation, or other non-tuition costs are not eligible under the Tuition Reimbursement Program. All tuition reimbursement requests must be submitted to and approved by the team member’s Manager prior to course registration. Reimbursement will be issued upon successful course completion and submission of final grades and proof of payment.

401K with Principal - Eligible to participate day 1 of employment. Company match on employee contributions:

• Eligibility on date of hire
• Employer Match- 100% of first 3% and 50% of next 2%
• Vesting- 100%
• Contribution limit- $24,500
• Catch-up contribution limit- $8,000
• Catch-up contribution limit for ages 60-63 in calendar year- $11,250
• Catchup contributions must be directed to Roth bucket if earned over $150k in 2025

Cell Phone & Internet Reimbursed up to $150 monthly to cover cell phone, data, and home internet expenses. Aquila Technology will reimburse team members who work from home ONLY for cell phone/mobile device fees for work-related communications and/or operations each month. Employees eligible for this benefit must work remote 2 days a week or more to qualify.

Buy Your Own Device (BYOD) -Team members are eligible for reimbursement of up to $1,500 every three (3) years for the purchase of electronic equipment used to access corporate services. To qualify for this benefit, employees must have completed a minimum of six (6) months of employment and must agree to and sign the Device Minimum Configuration Form prior to reimbursement. Electronic devices eligible under the Buy Your Own Device (BYOD) program are limited to cell phones, laptops, and tablets.

Clearance Level: Active clearance is required to start. Please do not submit any candidates who do not meet this requirement.

Work Location: This position is 100% onsite with some periodic flexibility.

Interview Process: two rounds; the second round can be in person if the candidates is available or can be via Zoom.