Senior FPGA Engineer

Northwood Space; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health care

Unlimited vacation

Retirement savings

Professional development

Job summary

A leading space technology firm in Torrance is seeking a Staff FPGA Engineer. This individual will take charge of the digital design of antenna systems, focusing on FPGA development. Responsibilities include designing high-rate processing blocks and leading multidisciplinary projects. Ideal candidates have over 6 years of experience, expertise in Verilog/SystemVerilog, and skills in DSP/networking. The role offers competitive benefits including stock options and unlimited vacation.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of professional experience.
• Expert in Verilog and SystemVerilog.
• Experience with DSP and/or networking on FPGA.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test networking and DSP blocks on FPGAs.
• Lead complex multi-disciplinary projects from initial design to operations.
• Analyze performance data from testing to diagnose issues.

Skills

Verilog

SystemVerilog

Python

DSP

Networking on FPGA

FPGA SoCs

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Job description

About Northwood Space

Northwood is on a mission to transform connectivity between earth and space and bring the benefits of space to the masses through innovations in space communications technologies. If you are energized by building at a high‑velocity company and seeing your work deployed in locations around the globe with real impact, we want you at Northwood.

Role

Northwood Space is looking for a Staff FPGA Engineer to join our team in Torrance. This person will have ownership over the digital design of our antenna systems, including data transport and signal processing chain. They will be designing, developing, and testing FPGA blocks to provide resilient and reliable communication links for our customers.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test networking and DSP blocks on FPGAs for high‑rate, parallel data processing.
• Lead complex multi‑disciplinary projects to push product development from initial design and prototype to shipment and operations.
• Drive system architectures, analyze trades, and scope system requirements.
• Analyze performance data from in‑field testing to diagnose and fix issues, and provide feedback for product improvements.

Basic Qualifications

• 6+ years of professional experience
• Expert in Verilog and SystemVerilog
• Experience with Python
• Experience with DSP and/or networking on FPGA
• Experience with FPGA SoCs
• Experience using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers to debug high‑speed FPGA designs
• In‑person in Torrance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in HLS
• Experience with C++ or Rust
• Experience with high‑performance PCBA architecture and design, including use of FPGAs

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation is determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related skills, education, experience, and technical capabilities. In addition to base salary, Northwood offers long‑term incentives such as company stock, stock options, and cash awards, as well as discretionary bonus for performance. Northwood benefits include equity, health care, unlimited vacation, retirement savings and professional development.

Additional Information

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.