FPGA Design Engineer

Actalent; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

PTO / Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an FPGA Design Engineer to join our defense-focused team in a fully onsite Cedar Rapids environment. You will design and implement FPGA-based digital logic for high‑performance, real‑time systems and own the complete design lifecycle from requirements through verification.

You will use VHDL and work with Xilinx/Intel/Altera toolchains, collaborating with RF, systems, hardware, and firmware engineers to ensure robust integration and top‑tier performance.

Qualifications

• Several years of FPGA experience across design lifecycle.
• Strong VHDL coding and verification skills.
• Experience with Xilinx, Intel or Altera toolchains.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement FPGA-based digital logic for defense and communications systems.
• Write, optimize, and maintain VHDL for high-performance, real-time apps.
• Own the full FPGA design lifecycle from requirements to verification and support.
• Collaborate with RF, systems, hardware, and firmware engineers for integration.
• Assist in lab testing, debugging, and troubleshooting of FPGA designs.

Skills

FPGA design lifecycle

VHDL

FPGA toolchains

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Xilinx toolchain

Intel/Altera toolchains

Job description

Job Description

This FPGA Design Engineer role supports a leading defense organization developing cuttingedge systems. You will work across the full FPGA design lifecycle, contributing to advanced missioncritical hardware solutions in a fastpaced, hightechnology environment. The position is based in Schaumburg, IL and is ideal for engineers with several years of FPGA experience who want to design and implement complex digital logic for realtime, highperformance applications.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement FPGAbased digital logic for advanced defense and communications systems.
• Create, optimize, and maintain VHDL code for highperformance, realtime applications.
• Own the full FPGA design lifecycle, including requirements analysis, architecture, implementation, verification, and support.
• Collaborate closely with crossfunctional engineering teams, including RF, systems, hardware, and firmware engineers, to ensure seamless system integration.
• Participate in integration, testing, and troubleshooting of FPGA designs in lab environments, using appropriate tools and test equipment.
• Debug and resolve digital hardware and FPGArelated issues, ensuring reliable performance in missioncritical scenarios.
• Document design specifications, test procedures, and technical reports in a clear and comprehensive manner.
• Ensure FPGA designs comply with defenseindustry standards, security requirements, and program objectives.
• Contribute to systemlevel integration efforts for EW, SATCOM, IR, and RFbased technologies.
• Support continuous improvement of design processes, tool flows, and best practices within the engineering team.

Essential Skills

• 310+ years of FPGA design and development experience-we have multiple openings!!
• Strong handson experience with FPGA design across the full lifecycle, from concept through implementation and verification.
• Expertise in VHDL for designing and implementing complex digital logic.
• Experience working with Xilinx, Intel, or Altera FPGA toolchains (specific product lines not required).
• Solid understanding of digital logic fundamentals and digital hardware design principles.
• Strong hardware debugging skills, including the ability to diagnose and resolve FPGArelated issues in lab environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with crossfunctional engineering teams and communicate technical concepts clearly.
• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Ability to work in environments that may require access to classified information, with an active Secret clearance preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with highspeed interfaces and related design considerations.
• Experience with DSP blocks or embedded processing within FPGA architectures.
• Understanding of systemlevel integration in Electronic Warfare (EW) or RF systems.
• Prior exposure to defenseindustry standards and securitydriven design practices.
• Strong documentation skills for specifications, test procedures, and technical reports.
• Ability to thrive in a fastpaced, hightechnology environment focused on missioncritical solutions.
• Active Secret clearance is preferred but candidates without clearance may also be considered.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $80.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Cedar Rapids, IA.

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.