Senior FPGA Engineer

The Keystone Distinction Group; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Keystone Distinction Group seeks a Senior FPGA Engineer in Austin to own FPGA development for advanced embedded computing products. You will translate system requirements into robust FPGA architectures and lead implementation, simulation, and hardware verification with hardware and software teams.

You will apply expertise in high-speed digital design, FPGA IP, timing closure, and RF converter interfaces, contributing to both new product development and ongoing support of existing platforms.

Qualifications

• Must have Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of FPGA design and development experience.
• Experience interfacing FPGAs with RF converters using LVDS, JESD204B/C, or RFSoC.
• Hands-on experience with AMD/Xilinx Vivado and high-speed FPGA design.
• Strong experience in VHDL and Verilog/SystemVerilog.
• Ownership of the FPGA development lifecycle from architecture to hardware verification.
• Strong understanding of timing constraints and timing closure.
• Experience with high-speed interfaces such as DDR4/DDR5, PCIe, mega-bit Ethernet, or JESD204B/C.
• Experience implementing and tuning high-speed serial-interface IP.
• Experience supporting FPGA/DSP carrier boards, FMC/RF modules, SBCs, or other complex embedded products.
• Experience with Vivado Simulator and ILAs.
• Hands-on experience in Intel/ARM processor interfaces, DDR memory, MPSoC, or RFSoC.
• Ability to review schematics and work with hardware engineers.
• Demonstrated leadership and ownership of engineering deliverables.
• Experience with TCL, Python, C/C++, and Embedded Linux.
• Flexibility to work across hardware and software boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Take technical ownership of FPGA development for embedded computing products.
• Translate system and customer requirements into robust FPGA architectures.
• Lead implementation and verification, collaborating with hardware and software teams.
• Drive design reviews and establish sound engineering practices across teams.

Skills

FPGA design

VHDL/Verilog

RF interfaces

Timing closure

DDR4/DDR5

PCIe

Python/TCL scripting

Embedded Linux

C/C++

SystemVerilog

LVDS/JESD204B/C

Hardware/software integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering / related field

Tools

Vivado

ModelSim/QuestaSim

Vivado Simulator

Job description

Senior FPGA Engineer

Austin, TX

The Company

Join a global leader in high-performance, open-architecture embedded computing solutions for demanding defense, aerospace, industrial, and commercial applications. Its rugged computing products support critical military and aerospace programs across land, sea, and air, where reliability and performance are essential.

The engineering team develops advanced FPGA/DSP platforms and FMC (FPGA Mezzanine Card) products, including systems that interface with high-speed data converters and RF technologies. Engineers work across hardware and software disciplines to develop next-generation embedded computing solutions and support established products throughout their lifecycle.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Own the FPGA Development Lifecycle: Lead FPGA development from architecture and requirements definition through implementation, simulation, verification, and hardware validation.

• Work with Advanced Technology: Apply your expertise in high-speed digital design, FPGA IP, timing closure, and RF converter interfaces.

• Influence Technical Direction: Lead a technical area, review designs, and help establish sound engineering practices across multidisciplinary teams.

• Solve Complex Engineering Challenges: Work on FPGA/DSP and RF converter animals near byplatforms that combine high-speed interfaces, embedded processing, and hardware/software integration.

• Contribute to New Product Development: Focus primarily on new product development while also helping improve and maintain existing products.

• Expand Beyond Traditional Boundaries: Collaborate with hardware and software engineers and take ownership of technical challenges wherever your expertise can make a difference.

They Value and Appreciate Their Employees

The company values engineers who demonstrate technical depth, independence, flexibility, and accountability. The engineering team works across traditional hardware and software boundaries, so the ability to collaborate, troubleshoot complex problems, and identify practical solutions is essential.

Successful engineers take ownership of deliverables, communicate technical challenges clearly, and look for ways to improve designs, development processes, and engineering efficiency. The team appreciates professionals who can lead technically, support their colleagues, and adapt when customer requirements or test results call for a different approach.

Your Role with the Company

As a Senior FPGA Engineer, you will take technical ownership of FPGA development for advanced embedded computing products. You will translate system and customer requirements into robust FPGA architectures, lead implementation and verification, and work closely with hardware and software teams to deliver reliable products.

Community Information

Austin, Texas, has an established technology and engineering ecosystem spanning semiconductor technology, embedded computing, electronics, and software development.

Background Profile

Must Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

• 7+ years of FPGA design and development experience.

• Experience interfacing FPGAs with RF converters using LVDS, JESD204B/C, or RFSoC.

• Hands-on experience with AMD/Xilinx Vivado and high-speed FPGA design.

• Strong experience in VHDL and Verilog/SystemVerilog.

• Demonstrated ownership of the FPGA development lifecycle, including architecture, requirements definition, implementation, simulation, and hardware verification.

• Strong understanding of timing constraints and timing closure.

• Experience with high-speed interfaces such as DDR4/DDR5, PCIe, multi-gigabit Ethernet, or JESD204B/C.

• Experience implementing and tuning high-speed serial-interface IP.

• Experience supporting FPGA/DSP carrier boards, FMC/RF converter modules, single-board computers, or other complex embedded computing products.

• Experience with Vivado Simulator and ILAs;

• Hands-on experience in at least one or more of the following areas: Intel/ARM processor interfaces, DDR memory, MPSoC, or RFSoC.

• Ability to review schematics and work closely with hardware design engineers.

• Demonstrated technical leadership, independent problem-solving, and ownership of engineering deliverables.

• Experience with TCL, Python, C/C++, and Embedded Linux.

• Flexibility to work across hardware and software boundaries and contribute to multidisciplinary engineering challenges.

Desired

• Strong knowledge of AXI buses.

• Experience with Aurora, iBERT, and parallel gigabit LVDS interfaces.

• TCL scripting to automate design, build, and test workflows.

• Familiarity with ModelSim or QuestaSim.

• Python scripting for design automation, validation, or debugging.

• Experience with hardware bring-up and laboratory debugging.

• Familiarity with schematic and PCB design tools

• Experience with multiple FPGA vendors, including AMD, Altera, Lattice, or Microchip.

• Experience using AI tools to improve engineering productivity and work quality, with the judgment to evaluate AI-generated results critically.

• Experience with product verification, regression testing, manufacturing releases, and engineering process improvement.

Additional Job Details

• Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000

• Location: Austin, TX

• Type of Role: Full-time, Direct Hire

• Travel Required: Minimal

• Relocation Assistance: Yes

• Visa Sponsorship: U.S. Citizen, Green Card