Onsite FPGA Firmware Engineer for Space Systems

Hardware FYI; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) Plan

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking an FPGA Firmware Design Engineer to create firmware for space-grade systems at xLab in El Segundo, CA. You will design, simulate, and verify FPGA firmware that supports mission-critical aerospace applications.

The role requires strong VHDL skills, hands-on FPGA tooling experience, and a security clearance. Onsite work four days a week with collaboration across systems, hardware, and software teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM discipline.
• 6+ years of professional or related experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing FPGA firmware using VHDL.
• Strong understanding of digital design principles, timing constraints, and hardware verification methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with Microchip and/or AMD Xilinx FPGA development tools and workflows.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop FPGA firmware for Microchip and AMD Xilinx FPGAs using VHDL for space, ground, and airborne systems.
• Support xLab's rapid prototyping initiatives by delivering high-quality digital hardware solutions for government and commercial aerospace customers.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, hardware engineers, and software developers to integrate FPGA designs into larger system architectures.
• Perform simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, and verification of FPGA designs to ensure functionality and performance requirements are met.
• Contribute to all phases of the development lifecycle from requirements definition through testing and deployment, making a direct impact on mission success.

Skills

FPGA firmware design

VHDL

Digital design

FPGA tooling

Team collaboration

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor degree or higher in Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering / Computer Science

Tools

Vivado

Microchip FPGA tools

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking an FPGA Firmware Design Engineer to create firmware for space-grade systems at xLab in El Segundo, CA. You will design, simulate, and verify FPGA firmware that supports mission-critical aerospace applications.

The role requires strong VHDL skills, hands-on FPGA tooling experience, and a security clearance. Onsite work four days a week with collaboration across systems, hardware, and software teams.