Lead Firmware & FPGA Engineer - Avionics Surveillance

Real Time Consulting, LLC; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Real Time Consulting (RTC) is seeking a Lead Firmware & FPGA Engineer for aircraft surveillance products in the Phoenix area. Lead architecture, development, and lifecycle management across FPGA, firmware, and CEH domains for airborne systems, coordinating with external partners and ensuring DO-254 compliance.

You will own requirements, design documentation, and verification evidence throughout the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering.
• 10+ years in aerospace, avionics, or safety-critical embedded product development.
• 5+ years of technical leadership in firmware/FPGA/embedded programs.
• Strong experience in embedded firmware architecture, design, integration, and verification.
• Experience managing external engineering partners or contract groups.
• Experience developing and managing firmware/hardware requirements with traceability.
• Proven knowledge of RTCA DO-254 for airborne systems.
• Ability to integrate firmware with hardware and system validation.
• Experience supporting certification and regulatory activities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and collaboration.

Skills

Technical leadership

Avionics systems thinking

Requirements engineering

Supplier management

Product ownership

Strategic planning

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

AI-enabled engineering

Continuous improvement

Written and verbal comms

Influencing technical direction

Self-motivation

FPGA/embedded firmware experience

RTCA DO-254 knowledge

DO-178C/ARP4754A/ARP4761 familiarity

DOORS or requirements tools

External partner management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Embedded firmware architecture

FPGA design

Regulatory/compliance knowledge

Job description

Real Time Consulting (RTC) is seeking a Lead Firmware & FPGA Engineer for aircraft surveillance products in the Phoenix area. Lead architecture, development, and lifecycle management across FPGA, firmware, and CEH domains for airborne systems, coordinating with external partners and ensuring DO-254 compliance.

You will own requirements, design documentation, and verification evidence throughout the product lifecycle.