FPGA Design Engineer

Actalent; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 69,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Columbia, MD is seeking an experienced FPGA Design Engineer to design, integrate, and test advanced FPGA/SoC systems in a fast-paced prototyping environment. You will work on high-performance designs spanning space to undersea applications, driving real-world impact.

Responsibilities include designing FPGA/SoC solutions, IP integration, timing closure, and HDL verification using VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog, with Vivado/Vitis and IP Integrator.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of FPGA/SoC design experience.
• Strong HDL skills: VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog.
• Experience with IP Integrator and block design.
• Hands-on with Vivado and Vitis.
• Proven ability to work across multiple FPGA platforms.
• Experience with high-speed protocols and RF fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Design advanced FPGA and SoC solutions using industry-leading devices and toolchains.
• Integrate FPGA and SoC designs into larger embedded systems with IP integration.
• Perform synchronous digital design and ensure timing closure on high-speed designs.
• Use Vivado and Vitis to implement, synthesize, place, route, and debug designs.
• Develop block designs using IP Integrator and related tools.
• Create, simulate, and verify HDL code with VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog.
• Tune designs that use multigigabit transceivers and high-speed protocols.
• Contribute to embedded design activities involving MPSoC/RFSoC and related architectures.
• Work with AMD Xilinx UltraScale+ MPSoC/RFSoC, MicroChip/Microsemi/Actel, Intel/Altera, Lattice devices.
• Apply Tcl scripting to automate design flows and tool configurations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in rapid prototyping to define requirements and deliver prototypes.
• Test and debug FPGA/SoC implementations in the lab under real-world conditions.
• Stay current with advances in FPGA/SoC/digital design and apply to new projects.

Skills

FPGA design

SoC design

VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog

Vivado/Vitis

IP Integrator

HDL verification

Synchronous digital design

Multigigabit transceivers

Embedded design

MPSoC/RFSoC

Tcl scripting

Vendor device familiarity

Tools

Vivado

Vitis

IP Integrator

Tcl scripting

Simulation tools

Job description

FPGA Design Engineer

As an FPGA Design Engineer, you will design, integrate, and test advanced FPGA and SoC systems in a fast-paced, rapid-prototyping development environment. You will work on complex, high-performance designs that operate in demanding applications ranging from space to undersea, giving you the opportunity to push technology forward and see the real-world impact of your work.

Responsibilities

• Design advanced FPGA and SoC solutions using industry-leading devices and toolchains.
• Integrate FPGA and SoC designs into larger embedded systems, including IP integration and system-level block design.
• Perform synchronous digital design, ensuring robust timing closure across complex, high-speed designs.
• Use Vivado and Vitis to implement, synthesize, place, route, and debug FPGA and SoC designs.
• Develop and maintain block designs using IP Integrator and related tools.
• Create, simulate, and verify HDL code using VHDL, Verilog, and SystemVerilog.
• Implement and tune designs that use multigigabit transceivers and high-speed protocols.
• Contribute to embedded design activities involving MPSoC, RFSoC, and related system architectures.
• Work with a variety of FPGA and SoC platforms, including AMD Xilinx UltraScale+, MicroChip/Microsemi/Actel, Intel/Altera, and Lattice devices.
• Apply Tcl scripting to automate design flows, tool configurations, and verification tasks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a rapid-prototyping environment to define requirements and deliver working prototypes.
• Test and debug FPGA and SoC implementations in the lab, ensuring reliable operation under real-world conditions.
• Stay current with advances in FPGA, SoC, and high-speed digital design technologies and apply them to new projects.

Essential Skills

• At least 10 years of experience as an FPGA and SoC designer and developer.
• Strong proficiency in FPGA and SoC design and development, including synchronous digital design and timing closure.
• Hands-on experience with Vivado and Vitis for FPGA and SoC implementation and debug.
• Proficiency with simulation tools and methodologies for verifying FPGA and SoC designs.
• Experience with IP Integrator and block design for system-level integration.
• Strong HDL skills, including VHDL, Verilog, and SystemVerilog.
• Proven experience with multigigabit transceivers and related high-speed design considerations.
• Demonstrated ability in IP integration and embedded design for FPGA-based systems.
• Practical knowledge of AMD Xilinx UltraScale+ MPSoC or RFSoC platforms.
• Experience with devices from MicroChip/Microsemi/Actel, Intel/Altera, and Lattice.
• Proficiency with Tcl scripting for design automation and tool control.
• Understanding of high-speed protocols and their implementation in FPGA designs.
• Basic understanding of RF fundamentals as they relate to FPGA and SoC systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in environments that demand rapid prototyping and quick design iterations.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex digital and mixed-signal issues at the system and board level.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to high-performance, mission-critical systems.
• Comfort working across multiple FPGA vendors and toolchains in a single project lifecycle.
• Ability to document designs clearly and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Motivation to push technology boundaries and work on applications deployed in challenging environments such as space and undersea.

Work Environment

You will work in a fast-paced, engineering-focused environment that emphasizes rapid prototyping, innovation, and hands-on development. The role centers on advanced FPGA and SoC technologies, including AMD Xilinx UltraScale+ MPSoC and RFSoC platforms, as well as devices from MicroChip/Microsemi/Actel, Intel/Altera, and Lattice. You will regularly use industry-standard tools such as Vivado, Vitis, simulation environments, IP Integrator, and Tcl-based automation scripts. Projects span a wide range of applications, with designs deployed in demanding environments from space to undersea, offering continuous technical challenges and the opportunity to see your work in action. The culture supports collaboration, technical excellence, and the pursuit of cutting-edge digital design solutions

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbia, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Columbia,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026.

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.