Principal HW/FPGA Engineer

globalhr; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Relocation assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Applied Signal Technology (AST) seeks a Principal HW/FPGA Engineer for onsite work in San Jose, CA. The role focuses on hardware and FPGA DSP design to solve complex telecommunications challenges, with opportunities to lead architecture decisions and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate will have extensive FPGA/HDL experience, a STEM degree, and the ability to obtain TS/SCI with polygraph clearance. Travel up to 25% may be required.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
• Experience with hardware platform telecom architecture and FPGA processing fabrics.
• Strong HDL knowledge with Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL.

Responsibilities

• Drive product architecture and technical decisions across engineering and business teams.
• Lead projects to design, implement, and optimize telecommunications solutions targeting high-performance hardware platforms.
• Lead internal and external partners to design and implement high-performance hardware products (HW systems, CCAs, FPGAs, antennas, cables).
• Verify system and component level functionality in lab environments.
• Support, enhance, and optimize existing HW products to meet customer objectives.
• Provide mentorship to junior engineers.
• May travel up to 25%.

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-21

Country: United States of America

Location: US-CA-SAN JOSE-826 ~ 200 Holger Way ~ BLDG 826

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type: TS/SCI with Polygraph

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

Raytheon Company Managed by Collins Aerospace

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Applied Signal Technology (AST) is seeking a Principal HW/FPGA Engineer who strives for excellence and has a passion to be part of a team that strengthens our nation and improves the security of our world. AST provides trusted strategic and tactical SIGINT solutions that secure the interests of the U.S. and its partners. AST’s work in areas such as high-capacity broadband communications, signal processing and analysis, tactical SIGINT, and wireless communications continually challenge our extraordinary engineers to resolve problems and make the world a safer place. AST’s work environment is dynamic, highly collaborative, and provides engineers with the freedom to strengthen and expand their skills, explore new and creative ideas, and work closely with our nation’s finest service members all while embracing integrity, innovation and work-life balance.

This is an ONSITE position located at our San Jose, CA location.

What You Will Do:

• Apply your Hardware and FPGA DSP/Digital expertise to develop solutions to complex telecommunications challenges. The key responsibilities for this position include:
• Drive product architecture and technical decisions across engineering and business teams.
• Lead cutting edge projects to design, implement, and optimize telecommunications solutions targeting the latest high-performance hardware platforms.
• Lead internal and external partners to design and implement high-performance hardware products (HW systems, CCAs, FPGAs, antennas, cables).
• Verify system and component level functionality in lab environments.
• Support, enhance, and optimize existing HW products to meet customer objectives.
• Provide mentorship to junior engineers
• May travel up to 25%

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience
• Experience with the architecture, implementation, and validation of telecommunications applications targeting hardware platforms (wireless/optical interfaces, signal conditioning, multi-FPGA processing fabrics, high-bandwidth interconnects, memory structures).
• Proven ability to design, implement, and document FPGA designs from system and component level specifications.
• Advanced experience in the development of cutting-edge hardware products (Wireless/network processing platforms, high-performance, low-power, reduced size, varied environment conditions).
• Experience providing reliable cost/schedule estimates for proposal activities
• Experience with planning and managing technical execution to meet schedule and cost targets
• The ability to obtain a U.S. Government Top-Secret SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance with polygraph after start is required.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Strong comprehension of HDL programming languages such as VHDL, Verilog or SystemVerilog.
• Strong comprehension of FPGA development environments and FPGA development tool flows.
• Optimization of hardware development practices using AI-assisted methodologies.
• Experience working with SW development teams to interface with HW and FPGA products.
• Experience with creating basic software programs that can interface to HW and FPGA components during verification.
• Experience with the resolution of hardware integration and test issues in hands-on lab environments.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in team environments.
• Existing TS/SCI clearance with polygraph (Active within the last 24 months)

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employerretirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional lifeand accident insurance,critical illnessinsurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• Eligible for relocation
• And More!

Please ensure the role type defined below is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role. This position is classified as:

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

#AST

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attendselect steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 118,300 USD - 224,900 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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