FPGA Design Engineer

Leidos Inc; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Systems is seeking an Embedded Firmware Developer in Huntsville to lead embedded design efforts across platforms including FPGAs and microprocessors. You will architect, implement, and test firmware, collaborate with hardware and software teams, and contribute to design decisions throughout the lifecycle.

The role requires a 4+ year track record in embedded systems, experience with languages such as C/C++, and familiarity with FPGA tools, Linux-based environments, and high-speed

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or equivalent from an ABET-accredited institution.
• 4+ years of experience in embedded system design and test, or 2+ years with MS degree.
• Understand trade-offs of embedded system targets (FPGA/SoC/microcontroller/RTOS) for cost/option architectures.
• Proven experience with FPGA design and hardware description languages such as VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
• Experience with common communication protocols (UART, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, CAN bus).
• Hands-on laboratory experience with instrumentation, test equipment, and debug/test methods.
• Position requires collaboration in a multi-disciplinary engineering environment.
• Resident of North Alabama area or willing to relocate to Huntsville—North Alabama, AL.
• U.S. Citizen and able to obtain/maintain Final Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead as a key technical leader in a fast-paced environment.
• Oversee all phases of the product life cycle from concept to post-delivery support.
• Architect, implement, and test embedded firmware/software on platforms including FPGAs, MCUs, and MPUs.
• Additional skills in data-link design, DSP, system design, and technology evaluation are a plus.
• Support resolution of issues discovered during manufacture and test of deliverables.
• Troubleshoot board-level issues and identify root causes and corrective actions.

Skills

Embedded design

FPGA design

VHDL

Verilog

SystemVerilog

C/C++

RTOS

UART

Ethernet

SPI/I2C/CAN

Education

ABET-accredited EE/CE degree

Tools

Xilinx FPGA toolchain

AXI4/AXI-Stream

Kernel drivers

Job description

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos' Defense Systems Electrical Systems department is seeking a talented Embedded Firmware Developer to join our team. The Electrical Systems Department is a design-focused group of engineers specializing in advanced hardware-based products. The individual selected for this position will be an embedded design engineer with varied technical interests and demonstrated engineering and leadership skills. The individual must be a self- starter with experience working with inter-disciplinary teams to solve challenging technical problems. The engineer will lead efforts on and develop architectures for embedded systems integrated into a diverse range of aerospace and military systems including manned/unmanned ground/air vehicles, missiles, defensive radars, and space systems.

The selected candidate will be a key technical leader in a fast-paced, environment through all phases of the product life cycle from concept development and detailed design through manufacturing, qualification testing, and post-delivery support. The candidate will be responsible for architecting, implementing, and testing embedded firmware and software on a variety of platforms, including FPGAs, microcontrollers, microprocessors, and mixed signal designs. Additional skills such as communications data-link design, digital-signal processing (DSP) design, system design, experience with technical trade studies, and evaluation of technology improvements are a plus.

With a product focus, the individual is also expected to actively partner with other engineers, project managers, technicians, and the customer to develop solutions that adhere to a diverse set of requirements. This includes architecture decisions from requirements that help inform and drive hardware implementations and working closely with hardware engineers. Additionally, the engineer will support resolution of technical issues that are discovered during the manufacture and test of deliverable products. This will include troubleshooting board-level issues, assessing failures for root cause, and identifying corrective actions. The ideal candidate will thrive in a learning environment that encourages leadership and technical growth.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Leidos Defense Systems Sector

Provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world's toughest security challenges for customers with "can't fail" missions. To explore and learn more,

Primary Responsibilities

• Key technical leader in a fast-paced, environment.

• Responsible for all phases of the product life cycle from concept development and detailed design through manufacturing, qualification testing, and post-delivery support.

• Responsible for architecting, implementing, and testing embedded firmware and software on a variety of platforms, including FPGAs, microcontrollers, microprocessors, and mixed signal designs.

• Additional skills such as communications data-link design, digital-signal processing (DSP) design, system design, experience with technical trade studies, and evaluation of technology improvements are a plus.

• Support resolution of technical issues that are discovered during the manufacture and test of deliverable products.

• Troubleshooting board-level issues, assessing failures for root cause, and identifying corrective actions.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or equivalent degree from an ABET-accredited institution.

• Candidate must have at least 4+ years of experience in embedded system design and test or 2+ years with MS degree.

• Understand trade-offs of embedded system targets (such as FPGA, SoC, microcontroller, RTOS, bare-metal) for developing best cost/option architectures

• Proven experience with FPGA design and hardware description languages such as VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog

• Experience with common communication protocols such as: UART, Ethernet, SPI, I2C,CAN bus, etc.

• Hands-on laboratory experience with instrumentation, test equipment, and debug/test methods

• Position requires candidates to be capable of performing in a collaborative engineering environment working closely with multi-disciplinary teams

• Candidate must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area

• Candidate must be a US Citizen and possess (and be able to maintain) a Final Secret Clearance or meet the eligibility to obtain (and maintain) a Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Developing overall firmware/software architecture for embedded systems

• Experience with embedded software/firmware programming in languages such as C, C++, or assembly languages

• Embedded operating systems (Linux, VxWorks, Integrity, FreeRTOS, uC/OS-II)

• GNU/Linux and development of kernel drivers

• Utilizing modern Xilinx FPGA and SoC families and design tools(Xilinx IP Cores, AXI4, AXI-Stream)

• Software or FPGA test and verification experience (unit testing, FPGA simulation testbenching, HWIL)

• RISC microprocessors architectures (ARM Cortex, Microblaze, PowerPC, RISC-V)

• Memory architectures, types,and caching

• Experience with high speed interfaces (PCIe, Aurora, 100GbE, JESD204B)

• Electronics and PCBA design

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos' name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.