Lead FPGA Architect for Space-Grade Avionics

terranorbitalcorporation; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision benefits

401(k) Match

Flexible Time Off

Education Reimbursement

Competitive Parental Leave

Job summary

Terran Orbital is seeking a seasoned Principal FPGA Design Engineer to lead FPGA RTL architecture, development and verification for flight-critical avionics subsystems. You will drive architecture decisions, collaborate across avionics, hardware, and software teams, and ensure rigorous validation for space missions.

The role requires 12+ years in FPGA RTL, proficiency in SystemVerilog or VHDL, and hands-on experience with PolarFire/Versal devices, Linux C/C++, and scripting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or equivalent.
• 12+ years of FPGA RTL architecture, development and verification.
• Strong proficiency in SystemVerilog or VHDL.
• Experience with Microsemi PolarFire, AMD Zynq Versal, AMD Ultrascale.
• Vivado and Mentor Modelsim/Questasim experience.
• Experience with AXI, PCIe, DDR4/DDR5, JESD204B/C, 100Gb ethernet, SPI/I2C/UART/CAN LVDS.
• Linux development with C/C++ and scripting in Python, Tcl, Bash.
• DoD security clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Own FPGA RTL development from architecture definition through verification and flight readiness.
• Define FPGA architecture with cross-functional teams.
• Develop RTL in SystemVerilog or VHDL for PolarFire/Versal.
• Verify with simulations, testbenches, timing analysis, hardware validation.
• Lead design reviews and ensure traceability and documentation.
• Define and execute verification/testing and support board bring-up.
• Collaborate during avionics and flight test activities and mentor juniors.

Skills

FPGA RTL architecture

SystemVerilog or VHDL

Advanced verification methodologies

PolarFire/Versal experience

Zynq US+ / Versal familiarity

Vivado

Mentor ModelSim/QuestaSim

high-speed buses/interfaces (AXI, PCIe

C/C++ in Linux

Python, Tcl, Bash scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

Vivado

ModelSim/QuestaSim

Job description

Terran Orbital is seeking a seasoned Principal FPGA Design Engineer to lead FPGA RTL architecture, development and verification for flight-critical avionics subsystems. You will drive architecture decisions, collaborate across avionics, hardware, and software teams, and ensure rigorous validation for space missions.

The role requires 12+ years in FPGA RTL, proficiency in SystemVerilog or VHDL, and hands-on experience with PolarFire/Versal devices, Linux C/C++, and scripting.