FPGA/Embedded Hardware Design Engineer

SAIC; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC seeks an experienced FPGA/Embedded-Systems Engineer to design, verify, and integrate advanced digital processing architectures. Strong FPGA development with VHDL and Verilog, plus embedded software skills, are essential for delivering production-ready designs on Linux-based workflows.

The role involves developing DSP algorithms, working with SDR platforms such as Ettus USRP and Pluto SDR, and using Xilinx Vivado/Vitis toolchains for timing closure and IP integration.

Qualifications

• Experience in designing FPGA architectures and verification.
• Proficiency with VHDL/Verilog and Xilinx toolchains.
• Embedded software experience and DSP awareness.

Responsibilities

• Design FPGA architectures for Xilinx UltraScale+ MPSoC and Versal.
• Develop self-checking testbenches and simulation environments.
• Automate toolflows with Tcl/shell scripting.
• Implement high-throughput streaming paths and timing constraints.
• Debug FPGA and embedded software across Linux workflows.
• Collaborate on SDR platforms (Ettus USRP, Pluto SDR) for system-level development.
• Develop DSP algorithms when required and integrate with FPGA logic.
• Maintain source control with Git and support CI workflows.

Skills

HDL design

VHDL

Verilog

Embedded C/C++

Python

Linux

DSP

Xilinx Vivado

Vitis

IP integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree +14 yrs

Master’s degree +12 yrs

PhD/JD +9 yrs

Tools

ModelSim

Riviera Pro

XSim

Yocto

Git

Shell scripting

Tcl scripting

Bash

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking an experienced FPGA/Embedded-Systems Engineer to design, verify, and integrate advanced digital processing architectures. The ideal candidate will possess strong FPGA development experience using VHDL and Verilog, along with embedded software skills and a deep understanding of digital signal processing, timing closure, and Linux-based workflows. This role requires the ability to solve complex technical problems and deliver robust production-ready designs.

Qualifications

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop FPGA architectures using VHDL-2019, VHDL-2008, VHDL, and basic Verilog as required.
• Design solutions targeting Xilinx UltraScale+ MPSoC devices; experience with Versal devices is a strong plus.
• Create self-checking simulation constructs and testbenches to validate functional and corner-case behavior.
• Script simulation, synthesis, and implementation workflows using Tcl and shell scripting to automate toolflows.
• Implement high-throughput streaming data paths, including FIFO structures, CDC mechanisms, circular buffers, clocking architectures, and timing constraints.
• Perform FPGA debug through HDL simulation, waveform analysis, hardware debugging, and logic analyzer tools.
• Develop and debug embedded software in C, C++, Python, and related languages to interface with FPGA logic.
• Contribute to DSP algorithm design when needed, depending on project requirements.
• Work with SDR platforms such as Ettus USRP, Epiq Matchstiq, and Pluto SDR to support system-level development.
• Apply knowledge of microcontroller firmware design for supporting embedded subsystems.
• Develop on Linux systems and write automation scripts using Bash.
• Use Xilinx Vivado and Vitis toolchains including Hardware Manager, IP Integrator, IP packaging, and XSim simulation.
• Simulate HDL using tools such as Aldec Riviera Pro and ModelSim for detailed design verification.
• Build customized embedded Linux distributions for MPSoC and Versal devices using Yocto.
• Set up and debug FlexLM license servers as part of maintaining development environments.
• Leverage AI/ML code assistants to enhance development efficiency when appropriate.
• Use Git for version control and collaborative software and FPGA development.

Required Education:

Bachelors and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience; PhD or JD and nine (9) years or more experience.

• Additional experience may be substituted for a degree

Clearance Requirement:

• Must be a U.S. citizen with an active TS/SCI with Polygraph level clearance

Target salary range: $200,001 - $240,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.