Fpga Engineer

Actalent; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Herndon, VA is seeking an FPGA Engineer to join our Electromagnetic Systems team, focusing on spacecraft payloads and ground electronics development for national security programs.

You will work on digital FPGA hardware/firmware, develop test software, and collaborate with engineers and project management to deliver robust solutions on a 9/80 onsite schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, master's, or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Four or more years of experience with a bachelor's degree, or two or more years with a master's degree.
• Experience with Actel toolchains is a plus.
• Comfortable working with custom/standard serial protocols.
• Experience with focal plane arrays and spacecraft hardware development is a plus.
• Proficiency in C programming language is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Define derived requirements and perform avionics hardware development and implementation for spacecraft and flight-payload/ground electronics.
• Develop FPGA hardware/firmware, including schematic design and board functional tests.
• Develop associated firmware and test software.
• Plan long-term solution development, documentation, and deployment while ensuring compliance, reporting, and safety standards.
• Evaluate the integration of engineering solutions within the overall engineering environment, ensuring documentation, testing, maintenance, and updates.
• Communicate with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the development cycle.
• Represent the organization as a prime technical contact on contracts and projects, interacting with external personnel on technical matters.
• Function in an advisory or leadership role for projects, providing direction to less experienced staff.
• Plan and coordinate the maintenance of engineering solutions, ensuring viability in an evolving environment.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Observe all applicable laws, regulations, and obligations in conducting business.

Skills

FPGA development

Soft-core processors

Linux

Adaptability

Communication

Schematics & testing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Actel toolchains

Job description

Job Title: FPGA Engineer

Join a leading team that provides innovative security solutions for the United States Government. Work within the Electromagnetic Systems group, focusing on spacecraft payload and system development in Herndon, VA. Contribute to projects that make a significant impact in the national security arena.

Responsibilities

• Participate in derived-requirements definition, avionics hardware development and implementation, and system integration, test, and verification for spacecraft and associated flight-payload/ground electronics.
• Focus on digital and FPGA hardware/firmware development and implementation, including schematic design and board functional test.
• Develop associated firmware and test software.
• Formulate long-term plans for solution development, documentation, and deployment while ensuring compliance, reporting, and safety standards.
• Evaluate the integration of engineering solutions within the overall engineering environment, ensuring appropriate documentation, testing, maintenance, and engineering updates.
• Communicate with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the solution development cycle.
• Represent the organization as a prime technical contact on contracts and projects, interacting with external personnel on technical matters.
• Function in an advisory or leadership role for projects, providing direction and guidance to less experienced staff.
• Plan and coordinate the maintenance of engineering solutions, ensuring viability in an evolving environment.
• Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Observe all applicable laws, regulations, and obligations in conducting business.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in FPGA development.
• Experience with soft-core processors and debugging small circuitry.
• Proficiency with Linux and spacecraft hardware.
• Ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in working with schematics and laboratory testing of electronics hardware and embedded systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Four or more years of experience with a bachelor's degree, or two or more years with a master's degree.
• Experience with Actel toolchains is a plus.
• Comfortable working with custom/standard serial protocols.
• Experience with focal plane arrays and spacecraft hardware development is a plus.
• Proficiency in C programming language is desirable.

Work Environment

This position is onsite, operating on a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off. The role offers hands on experience in a smaller business unit setting, providing an opportunity to engage deeply with projects rather than feeling like just another cog in the wheel.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Herndon, VA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $84000.00 - $140625.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Herndon,VA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.