Firmware Engineer

TalentRemedy; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

TalentRemedy seeks an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to our client’s R&D division in Herndon, VA. You will develop, integrate, and test firmware for space-based electro-optical systems, collaborating with hardware engineers across the design lifecycle.

The role demands 5+ years in firmware, strong FPGA tool experience (Xilinx/Microchip), Python scripting, and proficiency with CI/CD workflows. U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain secret clearance are required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years relevant experience.
• BS/MS in EE, CE, or CS.
• Expertise with firmware, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing).
• Experience with Xilinx and Microchip FPGAs; and their development tools.
• Experience developing test benches and running simulations to verify designs.
• Experience interfacing with hardware designers during development, integration and test.
• Experience using schematics and block diagrams as inputs for firmware development.
• Experience in high-speed serial links: GTY/GTM, JESD204B/C, Ethernet, SpaceWire.
• Experience in memory interfaces: DDR3/4, QDR, FRAM, etc.
• Strong Python skills for build/test automation and data analysis.
• GitHub fluency, CI/CD for FPGA flows (GitHub Actions or equivalent).
• Proficient with VS Code.
• Requires the ability to obtain and maintain secret level clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.

Skills

Firmware development

VHDL RTL

SystemVerilog

FPGAs

High-speed serial interfaces

Memory interfaces

Python

GitHub CI/CD

Build/test automation

VS Code

Education

BS in EE/CE/CS

MS in EE/CE/CS

Tools

Xilinx FPGAs

Microchip FPGAs

VS Code

GitHub

FPGA toolchains

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our client’s Research and Development Division in Herndon VA. As part of our R&D division, the Firmware Engineer would join our firmware team to develop, integrate, and test our firmware products in our client’s spaced-based, electro-optical systems.

Experience and Expertise Required:

• 5+ years relevant experience
• BS/MS in EE, CE, or CS
• Expertise with firmware, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing)
• Experienced with Xilinx and Microchip FPGAs; and their associated development tools
• Experience developing test benches and running simulations to exercise the design and to verify compliance
• Experience interfacing and working with hardware designers during development, integration, and test phases
• Experience using schematics and block diagrams as inputs for firmware development
• Experience in high-speed serial links: GTY/GTM, JESD204B/C, Ethernet, SpaceWire
• Experience in standard peripheral interfaces: SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet MAC, LVDS
• Experience in memory interfaces: DDR3/4, QDR, FRAM, etc.
• Strong Python skills for build/test automation and data analysis
• GitHub fluency, CI/CD for FPGA flows (GitHub Actions or equivalent): automated linting, synthesis, simulation regression, timing closure, bitstream generation, release tagging
• Proficient with VS Code
• Requires the ability to obtain and maintain secret level clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.

Bonus Areas:

• Proficient with Linux, Docker containers, and automation
• Developing Hi-Rel/Space programs and TMR coding
• Digital Signal Processing, precision timing, optical comms (modems)
• Developing code (C, C++) for microcontrollers and embedded FPGA processors
• Designing GUI-based (Python) test software to exercise firmware
• Using lab instruments (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, etc.)

Our client is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key contributions to lasers for atmospheric sensing, laser communications, and lidar sensors for NASA, DoD, and commercial customers.