Junior FPGA Developer

Edgehog Trading; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with 4% match

Unlimited paid time off

Free lunch and snacks

Commuter benefits

Monthly happy hours

Job summary

Edgehog Trading in Chicago is seeking an FPGA Engineer to design and implement RTL logic for ultra-low-latency trading applications. The role involves working closely with engineers, validating FPGA designs, and supporting trading infrastructure.

Ideal candidates have a degree in electrical engineering, hands-on RTL design experience, and an eagerness to learn. Benefits include comprehensive insurance, a competitive salary, and a vibrant work culture.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with RTL design — coursework, projects, or internships.
• Eagerness to learn the HFT domain — no finance knowledge required.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and verify RTL logic for trading applications.
• Develop testbenches and verify FPGA designs before deployment.
• Collaborate with engineers to meet latency requirements.
• Run synthesis and meet timing constraints.
• Debug hardware using diagnostic tools.

Skills

RTL design in Verilog or SystemVerilog

FPGA simulation tools (ModelSim, QuestaSim, Vivado, Quartus)

Understanding of digital logic fundamentals

Comfortable in Linux; Python/C++ is a plus

Ability to use AI tools in development

Strong analytical instincts

Education

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or related field

Job description

About Us

Edgehog Trading is a proprietary trading firm specializing in electronic options market making. We take a technology‑driven approach, designing and operating automated, scalable systems to provide liquidity across markets. Our team spans trading, engineering, and business operations, working together to build and support the systems that power the firm. We emphasize data‑driven decision making, rigorous problem solving, and continuous improvement to navigate complex and evolving markets. We operate in a highly collaborative environment where ideas can move quickly from concept to implementation, and where individuals are empowered to take ownership and contribute directly to the firm’s growth.

What You'll Do

• Design, implement, and verify RTL logic in Verilog or SystemVerilog targeting ultra‑low‑latency trading applications.
• Develop simulation testbenches and functional verification environments to validate FPGA designs before hardware deployment.
• Work closely with senior FPGA engineers and the trading infrastructure team to understand latency requirements and translate them into hardware design decisions.
• Run synthesis, place‑and‑route, and static timing analysis; iterate on designs to meet strict timing constraints.
• Participate in hardware bring‑up and on‑board debugging, using waveform analysis and other diagnostic tools.
• Use AI tools to accelerate your development workflow — RTL review, testbench generation, debugging, and documentation.
• Grow your understanding of market data protocols (Ethernet, PCIe, exchange feed formats) as they relate to the systems you build.

Qualifications And Skills

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience with RTL design in Verilog or SystemVerilog — coursework, personal projects, or internship experience all count.
• Familiarity with FPGA simulation tools (ModelSim, QuestaSim, Vivado, Quartus) and the synthesis‑to‑deployment flow.
• Understanding of digital logic fundamentals: state machines, FIFOs, clock domain crossing, timing constraints.
• Comfort working in a Linux environment; Python, basic C or C++ is a plus.
• Ability and eagerness to incorporate AI tools into your development and debugging workflow.
• A strong desire to learn the HFT domain — no prior finance knowledge required.
• Strong analytical instincts: when something behaves unexpectedly in hardware, you dig until you find it.

Why Edgehog

• Small team advantage: Direct access to founders and senior team members from day one.
• Ownership early: Manage real P&L and make meaningful impact within your first year.
• Cutting‑edge tech: Work with our proprietary models and low‑latency trading systems built in‑house.
• Tight feedback loops: Weekly 1‑on‑1s with your mentor, quarterly reviews with leadership.
• Chicago‑based: Affordable cost of living, vibrant trading community.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with premiums 100% covered by the firm.
• 401(k) with a 4% company match.
• Unlimited paid time off and sick leave.
• Free lunch, coffee, drinks, and snacks.
• Commuter benefits.
• Monthly happy hours and annual team events.

The base salary for this role is $100,000 - $175,000 USD per year.

Base salary represents just one part of overall compensation; all full‑time, permanent roles are eligible for a discretionary bonus and benefits, including items in the above list.