FPGA Design Engineer - DSP & High-Speed Data Systems

Knowmadics; Wichita (KS); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Knowmadics is looking for an FPGA Design Engineer to support the development of next-generation AI-enabled hardware for counter-UAS solutions. The ideal candidate will have a BS in Electrical Engineering and extensive FPGA design experience. This role involves collaborating across teams to develop, integrate, and debug high-speed data systems.

Located in Wichita, KS, candidates should be in driving distance or open to hybrid/remote work. Key responsibilities include implementing FPGA logic and supporting rapid prototyping in an R&D environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of FPGA design experience with VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
• Experience with high-speed data movement and debugging in a lab.
• Ability to document interfaces, constraints, and test results.

Responsibilities

• Implement FPGA logic for various data systems.
• Develop RTL and support simulation and timing closure.
• Collaborate with engineers for integration and debugging.

Skills

FPGA design with VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog

Synchronous digital design

Debugging in lab environments

Collaboration with cross-functional teams

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

FPGA development tools (e.g., AMD/Xilinx)

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Candidate should live within driving distance of the following areas: Wichita, KS; Lawton OK; or Round Rock, TX

Job Purpose/Summary

The FPGA Design Engineer supports the rapid development of next-generation, AI-enabled hardware and sensor platforms for counter-UAS (cUAS) and multi-sensor applications. This role helps build the programmable-logic and DSP capabilities that connect custom hardware to the rest of the system. The engineer will implement, simulate, integrate, and debug FPGA logic for high-speed data movement, RF signal processing, sensor interfaces, control/status registers, and software-facing data paths. This includes working with HDL, AXI/AXI-Stream, clocks, resets, CDC, DMA-facing interfaces, and hands-on hardware validation. Working closely with the FPGA systems lead, electrical, embedded software, RF, DSP, mechanical, and application software engineers, this role helps turn new hardware concepts into modular, mission-ready capabilities. The ideal candidate will be excited to work in a fast-moving R&D environment, learn quickly, solve hands-on FPGA integration problems, and help build technology that moves quickly from concept to real-world impact.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Implement FPGA logic for DSP, RF data movement, sensor interfaces, control paths, and high-speed streaming or packetized data systems.
• Develop RTL in VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog and support simulation, synthesis, implementation, and timing closure.
• Build and debug AXI, AXI-Stream, FIFO, register, interrupt, clocking, reset, CDC, and DMA-facing interfaces under technical guidance.
• Support integration of ADC/DAC, JESD204, Ethernet, PCIe-facing, transceiver, or other high-speed interfaces as project needs require.
• Create and maintain software-friendly register maps, control/status interfaces, debug hooks, test modes, and bring-up notes.
• Collaborate with embedded software engineers on register access, interrupts, data formats, buffer behavior, throughput, and latency goals.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers during board bring-up, signal validation, clock/reset debug, and hardware troubleshooting.
• Use FPGA debug tools such as ILA, SignalTap, timing reports, simulations, and lab equipment to isolate and solve issues.
• Support rapid prototypes, bench tests, field demonstrations, and iterative design updates in a fast-moving R&D environment.
• Document design intent, interfaces, constraints, test results, and known limitations clearly enough for team reuse.

Minimum Qualifications

• Eligible to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance – U.S. Citizenship required.
• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years of FPGA design experience with VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog, including simulation, implementation, and hands‑on hardware debug.
• Experience with AMD/Xilinx, Intel/Altera, Lattice, or similar FPGA platforms.
• Working understanding of synchronous digital design, timing closure, clock domains, resets, FIFOs, CDC, and FPGA implementation flow.
• Experience integrating FPGA logic into real hardware and debugging issues in the lab.
• Working knowledge of streaming data paths, register‑mapped control, interrupts, and software‑controlled FPGA systems.
• Ability to collaborate with electrical, embedded software, RF, DSP, and systems engineers to implement clean hardware/software interfaces.
• Clear communicator who can document interfaces, assumptions, constraints, and test results.

Desired Qualifications

• 5+ years of FPGA experience with DSP, RF signal processing, AXI/AXI-Stream, JESD204, high‑speed data movement, or software‑controlled FPGA systems.
• Experience with FPGA‑based DSP, SDR, radar, communications, electronic warfare, cUAS, or distributed sensor systems.
• Experience with AXI/AXI-Stream, DMA‑oriented interfaces, PCIe, Ethernet, JESD204, ADC/DAC integration, or high‑speed transceivers.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar tools for modeling, test automation, data analysis, or hardware control.
• Experience creating register maps, command/control interfaces, or utilities used by software teams.
• Experience with embedded processors, SoCs, soft processors, or mixed FPGA/software systems.
• Comfort reading schematics, datasheets, timing diagrams, and board‑level interface specifications.
• Active DoD clearance or prior clearance eligibility.

Working Conditions

• Employees may be called upon to participate in in‑person meetings, trainings, lab work, field activities, or company functions at Knowmadics offices or other designated locations. Travel in support of business operations may also be required, and employees are expected to comply with these obligations as part of their position.
• Candidate should live within driving distance of Wichita, KS; Lawton, OK; or Round Rock, TX, or be able to support hybrid/remote work with in‑person attendance as needed.
• Work may occur in office, laboratory, integration, test‑range, field, or customer‑adjacent environments depending on project needs.
• Some weekend or extended‑hour work may be required based on project deadlines, hardware bring‑up, testing schedules, field events, or operational needs.
• Estimated travel: less than 10%, with occasional additional travel based on project or field‑test requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of remaining in a stationary position at a desk and working on a computer.
• Hands‑on work with development boards, circuit boards, prototype hardware, lab equipment, cables, tools, computers, and technical equipment in an engineering lab environment.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving of materials, tools, prototype systems, test equipment, or hardware assemblies may be required.

Direct Reports

None