FPGA Digital Design Engineer

Remote; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Kepler Communications is seeking an experienced FPGA Digital Design Engineer to help build the next generation of our satellite payloads. You will design and implement FPGA code, focusing on DSP algorithms for on-board SDR processing or embedded interfaces, and participate in all stages of the FPGA design flow from simulation to hardware testing.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Computer or Electrical Engineering and 5+ years of FPGA/RTL experience, plus Proficiency in Verilog/SystemVerilog,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years of FPGA/RTL design experience.
• Proficiency in Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL; willingness to pivot to SystemVerilog.
• Experience with Xilinx FPGAs, specifically Zynq and UltraScale.
• Solid understanding of timing principles including clock domain crossing and timing closure.
• Strong scripting skills (e.g. Python, Tcl, Bash).
• Experience with FPGA tools (Vivado, Quartus) and HDL simulation tools (ModelSim).

Responsibilities

• Develop custom IP for new features of the Kepler satellite digital payloads
• Iterate on current DSP and interface designs to improve reliability
• Work with IP core vendors to integrate new functionality into the Kepler designs
• Work with lead engineers in developing the communications and network architecture of our future satellite constellation
• Participate in conceptual design studies of new spacecraft

Skills

FPGA RTL design

Verilog/SystemVerilog

Xilinx FPGAs

Timing closure

Scripting languages

EDA tools

DSP concepts

Education

Bachelor's in Computer/Electrical Engineering

Tools

Vivado

Quartus

ModelSim

Job description

Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities.

We’re on the hunt for a top-tier FPGA Digital Design Engineer to develop the next generation of our satellites.

At Kepler, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a dedicated team of engineers building the Kepler spacecraft. You will be responsible for the design and implementation of FPGA code either with a focus on DSP algorithms to modulate and demodulate signals on board our software defined radio (SDR), or embedded systems interfacing with processors and peripherals. To be effective you will need to participate in all phases of FPGA design flow (Simulation, Synthesis, Place & Route, Timing Closure and Hardware Testing). A good understanding of the intricacies of FPGA development would make a candidate standout.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop custom IP for new features of the Kepler satellite digital payloads

• Iterate on current DSP and interface designs to improve reliability

• Work with IP core vendors to integrate new functionality into the Kepler designs

• Work with lead engineers in developing the communications and network architecture of our future satellite constellation

• Participate in conceptual design studies of new spacecraft

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or equivalent

• 5+ yr. working experience with FPGA/RTL design

• Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL with the willingness to learn or pivot to SystemVerilog

• Xilinx FPGA(s). Specifically, Zynq and UltraScale

• Solid understanding of timing principles, including clock domain crossing and timing closure

• Strong scripting skills (e.g Python, Tcl, csh/bash, etc.)

• Experience with FPGA tools (e.g Vivado, Quartus), HDL Simulation Tools (ModelSim)

Bonus Points:

• Masters of Science in Computer/Electrical Engineering, or equivalent

• Experience in coherent digital demodulation of waveforms such as BPSK, QPSK, QAM

• Experience with memory mapped interfaces such as AXI, Wishbone, Avalon

• Experience with high-speed transceivers for protocols such as JESD204B, PCIe, SATA

• Experience with Linting tools, Questa Sim or Riviera-Pro

• Experience with Xilinx Versal and RFSoC

• Experience designing printed circuit boards

• Knowledge of radio-frequency electronics design

Kepler Communications is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We welcome applications from: Women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, visible minorities, people who identify as LGBTQ+ and others who may contribute to diversification in our workplace.

As part of our commitment to accessibility for all persons with disabilities, Kepler will, upon the request of the applicant, provide accommodation during the recruitment process to ensure equal access to applicants with disabilities. Please contact our People & Culture team, through our Career Page to make your accommodation needs known and we will consult with you to ensure suitable accommodation is provided.