Lead Firmware Engineer

STR; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 173,000 - 238,000; Full time

Job summary

STR seeks a Lead Firmware Engineer to implement and verify FPGA firmware for radar and EW systems. You will map system requirements to FPGA specs, validate designs with simulations, and support full lifecycle from concept to production.

Strong collaboration, mentorship, and timely delivery are essential in this role. Ideal candidates have 7+ years in FPGA/SoC design with Verilog/VHDL, experience with Xilinx/Intel tools, and the ability to obtain TS security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; advanced degrees welcomed.
• 7+ years of applicable experience; TS clearance or eligibility preferred.
• Experience with FPGA/SoC design entry using Verilog or VHDL.
• Experience with Xilinx and/or Intel FPGA design tools.
• Proficient in FPGA verification and lab testing methods.

Responsibilities

• Map system requirements to FPGA specifications and interfaces.
• Validate designs with simulation and verification prior to hardware integration.
• Lead FPGA development process improvements and best practices.
• Support full lifecycle of FPGA firmware integration with hardware.
• Create design docs and test plans; deliver technical briefings.
• Coordinate with program managers to manage schedules and budgets.
• Mentor junior engineers to accelerate technical growth.
• Build and sustain high-performing, empowered teams.

Skills

FPGA design

Verilog/VHDL

Xilinx/Intel FPGA

Signal processing

SoC design

ModelSim/Questa/VCS/Incisive

Team leadership

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Master’s degree in related field

PhD in engineering/science (equivalent experience)

Tools

Xilinx Vivado

Intel Quartus

ModelSim/Questa/VCs/Incisive

Job description

System Development Division (SDD) is focused on delivering National Defense capabilities by driving mission-focused strategies to develop advanced technology systems enabling enduring products and solutions focused on achieving the customer vision. Our programs deliver sustainable, reliable, and cost-efficient capabilities focused on end-customer needs that function in operationally relevant environments and timeframes. SDD considers the entire lifecycle of the solution, from conceptualization and architecting, through development to deployment, while leveraging novel technologies to deliver first-of-a-kind systems.

SDD is seeking a Lead Firmware Engineer to implement complex system algorithms and interfaces in FPGAs for Radar and EW systems. Applicable projects span all levels of maturity from initial concept generation through design, prototype, development, test, and transition to production. In this role, you will implement, test, and verify designs through simulation and lab test. These FPGA designs could include signal processing across very wide bands, high data rate interfaces, serial interfaces, and complex control logic.

Additionally, you will support the effort to evaluate current and future system capabilities, identify improved applications and techniques, and ultimately recommend solutions. This position requires skills in working with multidisciplinary teams, supporting development and test activities, as well as technical proficiency in relevant technologies. Strong interpersonal, communication, and technical skills are also required. Applicants are expected to be self-motivated, detail oriented and have a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management and individual contributors on the program team through strong written and verbal communication skills.

What you will do:

• Mapping system-level requirements and objectives to FPGA specifications
• Validating designs with simulation and verification techniques before hardware integration
• Participating in FPGA development process improvement
• Supporting full life cycle of development and integration of FPGA firmware into hardware systems
• Creating and maintaining design documentation and test plans
• Delivering technical briefings to a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Coordinating with program managers and technical leads to manage task schedules and budgets
• Providing mentorship to more junior engineers to accelerate their technical and professional development
• Building and maintaining high-performing and empowered technical teams

Who you are:

• This position requires the ability to obtain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government
• Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years of applicable experience, a Master’s degree and at least 5 years of applicable experience, or PhD and at least 2 years of applicable experience. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• Experience with FPGA and SoC design entry using Verilog or VHDL
• Experience with design flow for Xilinx and/or Intel FPGAs
• Experience with simulation tools such as ModelSim/Questa, VCS, or Incisive
• Demonstrated desire to successfully pursue new challenges, improve and broaden technical skills, seek greater responsibilities, and increase individual value to the organization
• Capable of effectively working in a team environment, often under tight deadlines

Nice to Haves:

• Active Security Clearance at the Secret or Top Secret level
• Proficient with Xilinx or Altera SoC platforms
• Proficient with FPGA or ASIC RTL design entry
• Strong background and experience with industry best practices and version control
• Proficient with complex timing closure
• Experience with Matlab, Python, or C/C++
• Experience with interfacing to high speed DACs and ADCs
• Experience with Digital Signal Processing
• Understanding of RF Systems, specifically radar or EW

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $173,000 - $238,000

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Final offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.

STRis committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.

STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at www.str.us for more info.

STRis an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at [e-mail] and provide your contact info.

Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in STR’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.