FPGA / Firmware Engineer

Insight Global; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 121,500 - 148,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k)

Tuition/Education Assistance

Parental Leave

Every other Friday off

Job summary

Insight Global is seeking an FPGA/Firmware Engineer in Grand Rapids, MI to redevelop a flagship aerospace product. This hands-on role focuses on VHDL development, FPGA integration, and interface control within aircraft systems.

The successful candidate will work alongside experienced teams, contributing to the full FPGA development lifecycle in a certification-driven environment. Expect mentorship in DO-254 certification processes and a consistent work schedule with every other Friday off.

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of FPGA or firmware development experience.
• Strong VHDL and/or Verilog RTL coding experience.
• Hands-on experience with Xilinx or Microchip FPGAs.

Responsibilities

• Developing VHDL code for FPGA-based systems.
• Designing and implementing FPGA interfaces.
• Supporting communication between FPGA and aircraft subsystems.

Skills

FPGA development

VHDL coding

Experience with Xilinx/Microchip FPGAs

Simulation tools

Requirements-based verification

Understanding of DO-254

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Vivado

ISE

Libero

Active-HLD

QuestaSim

Job description

Location

Grand Rapids, MI 49512 (Onsite, Monday – Friday, 9/80 schedules – Every other Friday off)

Compensation

$135,000 base salary + 7% incentive bonus

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability & Life Insurance, FSA, HSA, PTO, Parental Leave, 401(k), Tuition/Education Assistance, EAP

Required Skills & Experience

• 3-5+ years of FPGA or firmware development experience.
• Strong VHDL and/or Verilog RTL coding experience.
• Experience designing FPGA interfaces and working with I/O systems.
• Hands‑on experience with Xilinx or Microchip FPGAs and associated toolchains (Vivado, ISE, Libero).
• Experience with simulation tools (Active‑HLD, QuestaSim, etc.).
• Familiarity with requirements‑based verification processes.
• Understanding of DO‑254 or similar structured/certification‑driven development environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.

Nice‑to‑have (Not required)

• Experience with DO‑254 documentation (HRD, HDD, HCI, PHAC, etc.).
• Exposure to MBSE (Model‑Based Systems Engineering).
• Experience integrating with RTOS environments.
• Background in RF systems or FPGA‑based signal processing (L‑Band or similar).
• Familiarity with DO‑160 and/or DO‑178 standards.

Summary & Responsibilities

An aerospace organization in Grand Rapids is looking for an FPGA / Firmware Engineer to support the redevelopment of a flagship product. This is a hands‑on role focused on VHDL development, FPGA integration, and interface control within aircraft systems. You’ll be working alongside a highly experienced team, including a technical lead driving architecture and a senior engineer leading DO‑254 certification efforts. This is a strong opportunity to work across the full FPGA development lifecycle in a certification‑driven aerospace environment.

Responsibilities Include

• Developing VHDL code for FPGA‑based systems supporting aerospace applications.
• Designing and implementing FPGA interfaces, including ADC/DAC integration and I/O control.
• Supporting communication between FPGA and aircraft subsystems.
• Working with Xilinx and Microchip FPGA platforms using tools like Vivado, ISE, and Libero.
• Running simulations and validation using Active‑HLD and/or QuestaSim.
• Participating in requirements‑based verification and structured development processes.
• Creating and maintaining documentation required for DO‑254 certification.

First 90 Days – What Success Looks Like

• Jump quickly into active development work, contributing to VHDL coding and FPGA interface design.
• Get up to speed on system architecture and begin owning portions of the design.
• Produce documentation aligned to DO‑254 standards and demonstrate process‑driven development.
• Integrate into the team’s workflow while learning from senior engineering leadership.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Work on a high‑visibility, flagship aerospace product.
• Strong mentorship from senior FPGA and certification experts.
• Exposure to DO‑254 processes (valuable niche experience).
• Consistent 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.