FPGA Engineer

KBR Careers; Beavercreek (OH); On-site; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR’s FPGA Engineer role sits within the National Security Solutions team in Beavercreek, OH. You will design, develop, test, and optimize FPGA-based DSP and communications systems in a lab environment with real hardware.

You'll collaborate with senior hardware, firmware, and software engineers to integrate FPGA logic with embedded processors using AXI, analyze performance, and implement real-time DSP algorithms while meeting DoD security requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 4–7 years of relevant FPGA, DSP, communications, or signal processing experience.
• Proficiency in VHDL and/or Verilog.
• Experience with FPGA development tools such as Vivado (or similar).
• Familiarity with DSP concepts including sampling, filtering, and frequency-domain analysis.
• Experience working in a Linux development environment.
• Experience with Git or similar version control systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain FPGA-based DSP logic for communications and RF systems.
• Implement and debug real-time DSP algorithms in hardware (filters, FFTs, modulation, synchronization).
• Integrate FPGA designs with embedded processors and system interfaces using AXI.
• Develop supporting software and firmware to control FPGA modules.
• Assist with hardware bring-up, integration, testing, and debugging in the lab.
• Develop simulation environments, testbenches, and verification workflows.
• Collaborate with RF, software, firmware, and systems engineers for integration.
• Analyze FPGA throughput, latency, and resource utilization; optimize as needed.
• Develop and maintain scripts to support FPGA build and test workflows.
• Support configuration management, documentation, and version-control practices.

Skills

FPGA design

DSP concepts

Linux development

Git version control

Verilog/VHDL

Embedded C/C++

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

Vivado

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

FPGA Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security. Why Join Us? Innovative Projects: KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions. Collaborative Environment: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace. Impactful Work: Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense. KBR is seeking an FPGA Engineer to support the design, development, integration, and testing of FPGA‑based communications, RF, and signal processing systems. This role focuses on hands‑on FPGA development and DSP implementation while collaborating closely with senior engineers across hardware, firmware, and software domains. The ideal candidate has solid experience developing FPGA‑based DSP solutions and is comfortable working in a lab environment on real hardware systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain FPGA‑based digital signal processing logic for communications and RF systems under guidance of senior engineers.
• Implement and debug real‑time DSP algorithms in hardware, including filtering, FFTs, modulation/demodulation, and synchronization functions.
• Integrate FPGA designs with embedded processors, peripherals, and system interfaces using standard protocols such as AXI.
• Develop supporting software and firmware to command, control, and interface with FPGA‑based modules.
• Assist with hardware bring‑up, integration, testing, and debugging in laboratory environments using standard RF and digital test equipment.
• Develop and execute simulation environments, testbenches, and verification workflows to validate functional and timing correctness of FPGA designs.
• Collaborate with RF, software, firmware, and systems engineers to support system integration and troubleshooting activities.
• Analyze FPGA performance with respect to throughput, latency, and resource utilization, and implement optimizations as needed.
• Develop and maintain scripts or automation tools to support FPGA build and test workflows.
• Support configuration management, documentation, and version control best practices throughout the development lifecycle.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• 4–7 years of relevant experience in FPGA, DSP, communications, or signal processing systems
• Proficiency in VHDL and/or Verilog
• Experience with FPGA development tools such as Vivado (or similar)
• Familiarity with DSP concepts including sampling, filtering, and frequency‑domain analysis
• Experience working in a Linux development environment
• Experience with Git or similar version control systems
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SDR platforms or frameworks
• Experience integrating FPGA logic with embedded processors (e.g., ARM, MicroBlaze)
• Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink or similar modeling tools
• Experience developing basic test benches or verification workflows

Basic Compensation: $115,000 - $150,000 (For Beavercreek, OH Only)

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

KBR — Delivering Solutions, Changing the World.

KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values: We Value Our People – We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential. We Deliver – We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high-quality, technology‑led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We Are People of Integrity – We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business. We Empower – We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision‑makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed. We Are a Team of Teams – We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company. We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals. Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries. At KBR, We Deliver.