FPGA Designer

Fidus Systems; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with matching

Profit-sharing bonus

Job summary

Fidus Systems seeks an experienced FPGA Designer to deliver complex FPGA-based systems for diverse clients. You will architect, implement RTL, integrate IP, run simulations, and support lab bring-up and debugging across multiple domains including video and communications.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in RTL/Verilog/VHDL, hands-on with Xilinx or Altera toolchains, and strong communication skills to work with customers and cross-functional teams in a dynamic, high-tech environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of RTL/Verilog/VHDL FPGA design experience.
• Experience with video systems, high-speed memory interfaces, and DSP/processor instantiations.
• Proven ability to work with Xilinx or Altera FPGA families and tool flows.

Responsibilities

• Develop complex FPGA/CPLD-based systems from architecture to timing closure.
• Create simulations, integrate IP, and perform lab bring-up and debugging.
• Lead design reviews for hardware-software interfaces and I/O.
• Prepare test plans, design descriptions and user documentation.
• Provide estimates on project scope, schedule, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including hardware, software and sales.
• Support customers during pre-sales and implementation phases.

Skills

RTL design

Verilog

SystemVerilog

VHDL

FPGA design

Xilinx Vivado

Altera Quartus

ModelSim

Communication

Education

B.A.Sc., B.Eng. or equivalent

Tools

Xilinx Vivado

Altera Quartus

ModelSim

Intel FPGA toolchains

Job description

Fidus is a global high-tech design firm headquartered in Ottawa, with additional design centres in Kitchener-Waterloo and San Jose. We specialize in leading-edge electronic product development, with hardware, embedded software, FPGA/ASIC, and signal integrity teams working together to design and deliver next-generation products for clients in emerging technology markets.

Position Overview/Mandate:

The FPGA Designer plays a key role in designing and delivering complex FPGA-based systems for Fidus clients. You will work directly with customers and internal Fidus teams to define architectures, implement RTL, integrate IP, run simulations, close timing, and support lab bring-up and debug.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with new FPGA families and tools, is comfortable moving between different application domains (video, communications, storage, signal processing), and takes pride in producing high-quality, well-documented designs.

Make an Impact with US:

At Fidus, you'll work on high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems, often using emerging technologies before they reach the broader market. You'll collaborate across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design as part of cross-functional teams delivering real products for our clients.

In practice, that means contributing to projects in areas such as space and satellite systems, next-generation communications and networking, high-performance compute and storage platforms, advanced video, imaging, VR/AR applications, and industrial, medical, and automotive systems. You won't be limited to a single product or industry - our work follows the technology, not just one roadmap.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Work with our clients and other Fidus Employees to develop complex FPGA and/or CPLD based systems, including architecture, custom development, integrated IP, simulations, and timing analysis and closure.
• Design FPGA based systems using Xilinx and Intel based devices and tools
• Participate in design reviews (hardware-software interface, input-outputs etc.) to ensure Fidus quality standards and customer requirements are being adhered to
• Perform lab testing, debug of prototypes and supporting hardware/software engineer, as needed
• Perform customer prototype demonstrations and author test plans, design description and user documentation
• Provide technical insight to customers during the pre-sales and implementation phase of projects
• Provide technical support to the Business Manager and Sales team by providing detailed estimates on project scope, schedule, and deliverables and to present the technical aspects of Fidus proposals to the client

Who You are:

• Minimum 5 years of experience designing using RTL/Verilog/VHDL on FPGAs.
• Experience with video systems and specification standards, video algorithms, and high-speed memory and bus interfaces, communications protocols, and DSP or processor instantiations.
• Created designs using Xilinx or Altera FPGA families and have a solid understanding of tool flow
• Experience with Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL, Xilinx Vivado, Altera Quartus, and/or ModelSim
• RTL design and verification including test benches, functional simulations, and timing closure
• Exhibit strong communication skills, are fluent in English, have great customer interaction presence, and quickly learn new technologies and processes
• Proven techniques and habits that lead to high quality design
• Embraces AI as part of a modern engineering toolkit
• Degree as a B.A.Sc., B.Eng. or equivalent
• As AMD Embedded Premier Partner, you will be certified to highest level of FPGA qualification - this will be your first "to-do" item upon joining us.

Benefits

Our competitive compensation package also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k) contributions, annual profit-sharing bonus, along with other supplementary benefits.

We also recognize that candidates show interest throughout different career stages and welcome all applications. When there is a great fit, the level of the role may be shifted as applicable.

About Fidus & Why Work Here

Since 2001, Fidus has completed over 4,000 projects for more than 400 customers across industries including Telecom/Datacom, Aerospace & Defence, Consumer, Semiconductors, Industrial/Automotive Controls, and Medical. As a Premier Adaptive Computing Partner for AMD North America, we combine deep technical expertise with industry-leading tools to solve complex design challenges.

Fidus designs high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems using emerging technologies, often well before they reach the broader market. Our teams work across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design to deliver real products for our customers.

Our work spans space and satellite systems, next-generation communications and networking, high-performance compute and storage platforms, advanced video and imaging, and industrial, medical, and automotive systems. We are not tied to a single product or industry - our work follows the technology, not just one roadmap.

At Fidus, collaboration is at the core of how we work. We value openness, trust, and shared ownership, and we create an environment where people are encouraged to contribute ideas, learn from one another, and have a meaningful impact through the work they do.

Fidus has a commitment to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process. Automated tools (including AI) support our initial screening of applicants against our job posting to identify candidates whose qualifications, experience, and skills align most closely with the position requirements. All further candidate assessments and final selection are conducted by our human recruitment team. AI does not make any final hiring decisions.

Thank you for your interest in Fidus. We welcome and encourage diverse candidates to apply. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Fidus is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.