FPGA IP Software Development Engineer

191 Altera Corporation; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 213,000; Full time

Job summary

Altera is seeking an FPGA IP Software Development Engineer to design, integrate, validate, and debug FPGA-based systems for embedded and data-center applications. You will work on RTL development and system integration focusing on PCIe, EMIF, Ethernet IPs and HPS-based platforms.

You will collaborate with hardware and software teams to optimize performance, bring-up, and debugging of advanced SmartNIC and embedded solutions, leveraging C/C++, Python, and FPGA toolchains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 3+ years of FPGA design and development experience.
• Strong RTL development experience with Verilog and SystemVerilog.
• Experience integrating FPGA IPs such as PCIe, Ethernet, EMIF, and ARM HPS.
• FPGA system bring-up, validation, and debugging.
• Knowledge of FPGA toolchains and implementation flows.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, and validate RTL for FPGA-based systems.
• Collaborate with software teams on HW/SW co-design and integration.
• Develop drivers and software abstractions for FPGA acceleration.
• Support board bring-up and system-level validation.
• Drive process improvements and stay current with FPGA technologies.

Skills

Verilog

SystemVerilog

C/C++

Python

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

PCIe IPs

Ethernet IPs

EMIF

ARM HPS

Job description

Position Summary

As an FPGA IP Software Development Engineer, you will play a key role in designing, integrating, validating, and debugging FPGA-based systems for embedded, networking, and acceleration applications. This role is primarily focused on FPGA RTL development and system integration, including PCIe, High-Speed Interfaces (HPS), External Memory Interfaces (EMIF), and Ethernet IPs. You will work closely with hardware and software teams on FPGA HW/SW co-development, system bring-up, debugging, and optimization of complex FPGA-based products, including SmartNICs, embedded platforms interacting with GPU and ARM HPS-based solutions.

Key Responsibilities

FPGA Design & Integration

Design, develop, integrate, and validate RTL for FPGA-based systems and platforms. Implement and integrate FPGA subsystems various I/0 Technologies (PCIe, EMIF, Ethernet & networking IPs) and on-board ARM Hard Processor Systems (HPS). Support FPGA system architecture, performance optimization, and debug activities.

HW/SW Co-Development

Collaborate with software and application teams on FPGA HW/SW co-design and integration. Support board bring-up, system-level validation, and debugging. Develop software abstractions, drivers, and frameworks that enable FPGA acceleration solutions. Partner with cross-functional teams to optimize end-to-end system performance.

Product Development

Contribute to development of FPGA-based products including: SmartNIC solutions Embedded computing platforms (Physical AI/Robotics) with GPU ARM-based FPGA systems Communication and data center acceleration solutions Participate in architecture discussions and technical reviews. Support product deployment and customer-facing technical investigations as needed.

Process & Innovation

Drive continuous improvement in FPGA development, verification, and debug methodologies. Evaluate and adopt new tools, flows, and automation techniques. Stay current with advancements in FPGA technologies, networking, and embedded systems.

Salary

The pay range below is for Bay Area California only. Actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including job location, job-related knowledge, skills, experiences, trainings, etc. We also offer incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance. $133.2K - $212.7K USD

Eligibility

Applicants must be eligible for any required U.S. export authorizations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, (Masters strongly preferred) Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in FPGA design and development.
• Strong RTL development experience using Verilog and/or SystemVerilog.
• Experience integrating FPGA IPs such as PCIe, Ethernet, EMIF, and ARM HPS.
• Experience with FPGA system bring-up, validation, and debugging.
• Understanding of FPGA development toolchains and implementation flows.
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced development environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with FPGA HW/SW co-development and system-level integration.
• Software development experience in C/C++, Python, or embedded Linux environments.
• Experience developing FPGA-based embedded systems or SmartNIC solutions.
• Familiarity with networking protocols and data center acceleration architectures.
• Experience with FPGA acceleration frameworks and software abstractions.
• Prior research or industry experience in FPGA-based acceleration, embedded systems, communications, robotics, or AI/GPU applications.
• Experience working within a semiconductor or programmable logic environment.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to bridge hardware and software development teams.
• Excellent debugging and root-cause analysis capabilities.
• Self-motivated with a passion for learning new technologies.
• Strong communication and technical documentation skills.
• Interest in co-development environments where hardware and software are developed concurrently.

Why Join Altera

At Altera, you'll have the opportunity to help build innovative FPGA-based products that power next-generation communications, embedded, AI, and data center solutions. You'll work alongside experienced engineers on cutting-edge technologies while influencing both hardware and software development in a highly collaborative environment.

Job Details

Job Type: Regular Shift: Shift 1 (United States of America) Primary Location: San Jose, California, United States Additional Locations:

Posting Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

About Altera

Altera: Accelerating Innovators Altera provides leadership programmable solutions that are easy-to-use and deploy in applications from cloud to edge, offering limitless AI possibilities. Our end-to-end broad portfolio of products including FPGAs, CPLDs, Intellectual Property, development tools, System on Modules, SmartNICs and IPUs provide the flexibility to accelerate innovation. Altera is helping to shape the future through pioneering innovation that unlocks extraordinary possibilities for everyone on the planet.