FPGA Firmware Design Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

401(k) Plan with employer match

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA is seeking an FPGA Firmware Design Engineer to develop mission-critical firmware for space systems. You will work onsite four days a week, collaborating with systems, hardware, and software teams to deliver robust FPGA solutions.

The role requires a strong background in VHDL-based FPGA design, digital design principles, and experience with Microchip and AMD Xilinx tools. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a security clearance are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM discipline.
• 6+ 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.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop FPGA firmware for Microchip and AMD Xilinx FPGAs using VHDL for space, ground, and airborne systems.
• Support xLab's rapid prototyping by delivering high-quality digital hardware solutions for government and commercial aerospace customers.
• Collaborate with systems, hardware, and software engineers to integrate FPGA designs into larger architectures.
• Perform simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, and verification of FPGA designs to meet requirements.
• Contribute to all phases of development from requirements through testing and deployment.

Skills

VHDL

Digital design

FPGA tooling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related STEM

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 help xLab make a difference to today's challenges. As an FPGA Firmware Design Engineer, you will design cutting-edge firmware solutions that enable mission-critical systems for aerospace applications. This position is onsite in El Segundo, CA., requiring at least 4 days a week onsite.

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

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

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. (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

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity 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.

Right Place

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path

Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose

We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Return to the Aerospace Careers site.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.