Hardware Engineer – Aerospace

Jobtailor; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Albuquerque, NM is seeking an experienced hardware engineer to design, verify, and optimize VHDL code for FPGA-based aerospace systems. You will implement ARINC 818 interfaces, ensure timing closure, and contribute to compliance documentation.

The role involves lab testing, DO-254/DO-160 related activities, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and hands-on use of test equipment to validate performance and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3 to 5 years of professional engineering experience in hardware design and development.
• Solid understanding of VHDL and FPGA development workflows (Xilinx Vivado).
• Familiarity with high-speed digital interfaces and signal integrity concepts.
• Experience with EDA tools for simulation (ModelSim/QuestaSim) and schematic capture (Altium).
• Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and verify VHDL code for FPGAs used in aerospace applications.
• Contribute to ARINC 818 interfaces, including Fibre Channel, video formats, timing, and link integrity.
• Support integration and testing of ARINC 818 systems using lab equipment and custom test setups.
• Develop and execute test procedures for compliance, robustness, and performance validation.
• Collaborate with Systems, Software, and Manufacturing teams on hardware-software integration.
• Generate and review airworthiness and compliance documentation.

Skills

VHDL

FPGA Design

ARINC 818

Python

Signal Integrity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field

Tools

Xilinx Vivado

ModelSim

QuestaSim

Altium

Oscilloscopes

Logic Analyzers

Multimeters

Job description

• Design, develop, and verify VHDL code for FPGAs used in aerospace applications
• Contribute to the design and implementation of ARINC 818 interfaces, including Fibre Channel protocols, video formats, timing, and link integrity
• Support integration and testing of ARINC 818 systems using laboratory test equipment and custom test setups
• Develop and execute test procedures for compliance, robustness, and performance validation
• Participate in FPGA constraint management, timing closure, synthesis, and place-and-route optimization
• Implement DSP algorithms and video processing blocks within FPGA logic
• Build and maintain testbenches and verification environments
• Contribute to the full lifecycle hardware development of airborne electronic systems, from schematic capture and detailed design through laboratory integration and verification
• Perform basic circuit analysis, including power consumption, component stress, and worst-case checks, under senior engineer guidance
• Collaborate with Systems, Software, and Manufacturing teams on hardware-software integration
• Perform product configuration management and product lifecycle management
• Support customer system-level integration and troubleshooting
• Generate and review airworthiness and compliance documentation, including requirements specifications, design descriptions, and qualification test reports
• Ensure designs follow internal coding standards, aerospace guidelines, and industry best practices
• Troubleshoot hardware and firmware issues using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other laboratory diagnostic tools
• Stay current with digital video, high-speed serial protocols, and FPGA technologies

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
• 3 to 5 years of professional engineering experience in hardware design and development
• Preferably experience within the aerospace, defense, or high-reliability electronics industry
• Solid understanding of VHDL and FPGA development workflows, such as Xilinx Vivado
• Familiarity with digital circuit design principles, high-speed digital interfaces, and basic signal integrity concepts
• Experience using EDA tools for simulation, such as ModelSim/QuestaSim, and schematic capture, such as Altium
• Hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Collaborative mindset and eagerness to learn from senior mentors
• U.S. Person qualification required due to U.S. export control requirements
• Familiarity with ARINC 818 or other video standards, such as HDMI, NTSC, or VGA
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python for test automation and data analysis
• Prior exposure to DO-254 and DO-160 certification processes

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in VHDL code design and FPGA development for aerospace applications, with a strong focus on ARINC 818 interfaces and compliance documentation. Proficient in hardware integration, testing, and troubleshooting using industry-standard tools and methodologies.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• VHDL Code Development
• FPGA Design and Verification
• ARINC 818 Interface Implementation
• Digital Circuit Design
• DO-254 Certification Experience

Hard Skills

• VHDL
• FPGA Development
• Digital Circuit Design
• Signal Integrity
• Test Procedure Development
• DSP Algorithms Implementation
• Schematic Capture
• Simulation Tools
• Test Automation Scripting
• Circuit Analysis

Soft Skills

• Analytical Skills
• Problem-Solving
• Communication Skills
• Collaborative Mindset
• Eagerness to Learn

Certifications & Qualifications

• U.S. Person Qualification
• DO-254 Certification
• DO-160 Certification

Industry Keywords

• Aerospace
• Defense
• High-Reliability Electronics
• ARINC 818
• Fibre Channel Protocols
• Digital Video Standards
• HDMI
• NTSC
• VGA

Tools & Technologies

• Xilinx Vivado
• ModelSim
• QuestaSim
• Altium
• Oscilloscopes
• Logic Analyzers
• Multimeters