FPGA Firmware Design Engineer

aero; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Telework options

401(k) plan with company match

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking an FPGA Firmware Design Engineer (Engineering Specialist - Embedded Software Engineering) in El Segundo, CA. The role focuses on designing cutting-edge firmware for mission-critical aerospace systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and contributing across the full development lifecycle.

Ideal candidates hold a STEM degree and 6+ years of FPGA experience, with VHDL expertise and the ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM discipline.
• 6+ years of professional or related experience.
• Experience designing FPGA firmware using VHDL.
• Ability to obtain U.S. security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop FPGA firmware for Microchip and AMD Xilinx FPGAs for space, ground, and airborne systems.
• Support rapid prototyping by delivering high-quality digital hardware solutions.
• Collaborate with systems, hardware, and software teams to integrate FPGA designs.
• Perform simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, and verification of FPGA designs.
• Contribute to all phases of the development lifecycle from requirements to deployment.

Skills

FPGA firmware design

VHDL

Digital design

Timing analysis

Hardware verification

FPGA development tools

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science

Tools

Microchip FPGA tools

AMD Xilinx FPGA tools

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Aerospace Corporation's Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems to address our customers' hardest problems at the speed of need. We engage with our customers to conceptualize innovative solutions and deliver impactful products for ground and space and everything in between.

We are looking for an FPGA Firmware Design Engineer (Engineering Specialist - Embedded Software Engineering) with a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to helpxLab make a difference to today's challenges. As an FPGA Firmware Design Engineer, you will design cutting-edgefirmware solutions that enable mission-critical systems for aerospace applications.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design and develop FPGA firmware for Microchip and AMD Xilinx FPGAs using VHDL for space, ground, and airborne systems
• Support xLab's rapid prototyping initiatives by delivering high-quality digital hardware solutions for government and commercial aerospace customers
• Collaborate with systems engineers, hardware engineers, and software developers to integrate FPGA designs into larger system architectures
• Perform simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, and verification of FPGA designs to ensure functionality and performance requirements are met
• Contribute to all phases of the development lifecycle from requirements definition through testing and deployment, making a direct impact on mission success

This position is onsite in El Segundo, CA., requiring at least 4 days a week onsite.

What You Need to be Successful

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM discipline
• 6 or more years of professional or related experience
• Demonstrated experience designing FPGA firmware using VHDL
• Strong understanding of digital design principles, timing constraints, and hardware verification methodologies
• Hands‑on experience with Microchip and/or AMD Xilinx FPGA development tools and workflows
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required

How You Can Stand Out

• Master's or PhD degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline
• Experience with space‑grade or radiation‑hardened FPGA designs and SEU mitigation techniques
• Proficiency with high‑speed interfaces such as SpaceWire, PCIe, Ethernet, DDR memory controllers, or SerDes
• Experience with FPGA‑based signal processing, including DSP algorithms, image processing, or communications systems
• Familiarity with DO-254 or other aerospace design assurance standards and verification methodologies

(Min - Max) $129,000.00 - $193,500.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equalopportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail]. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal