Senior FPGA Engineer II

rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior FPGA Engineer II to join our Space Systems team. You will design, verify, and implement FPGA firmware for spacecraft avionics, collaborating across disciplines and supporting on-orbit testing.

The role offers exposure to cutting-edge satellite programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers, with opportunities to test hardware in flight and participate in all phases from requirements to validation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, or software engineering; or other engineering degree.
• 8+ years of experience with FPGA firmware development.
• Proficiency in VHDL.
• Strong understanding of FPGA design fundamentals and principles.
• U.S. citizenship due to program requirements.
• Nice-to-have: MS/PhD and experience with Xilinx/Microchip devices, UVM, VUnit, and credits in DSP algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines in developing firmware architecture and requirements.
• Design and verify FPGA firmware for Xilinx and Microchip FPGA/SoC devices.
• Develop documentation for FPGA operation and interfacing with other SW and FPGA systems.
• Participate in test campaigns from unit to system level.

Skills

FPGA firmware development

VHDL

FPGA design fundamentals

Embedded software

Radiation environment design

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, or software engineering

Master's or PhD in electrical/computer/software engineering

Tools

Xilinx devices/tools

Microchip devices/tools

UVM

VUnit

GIT

JIRA

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it's a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR FPGA ENGINEER II

We are currently seeking a Senior FPGA Engineer II for a future opening to join our FPGA team based out of Long Beach, CA. This team supports our Space Systems division, and leads cutting-edge satellite programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers. As an Sr. FPGA Engineer II, you will be responsible for development and verification of FPGA firmware designs for the avionics systems in our spacecraft programs. You will work collaboratively with engineers of various disciplines and participate in all aspects of FPGA firmware design, from requirements definition to design, implementation, verification, and testing. As an engineer on the spacecraft development team, you will have frequent opportunities to test and operate your systems on-orbit. We're looking for people who are passionate about spacecraft electrical hardware design, with a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines in developing firmware architecture and requirements
• Design and verify FPGA firmware for Xilinx and Microchip FPGA and SoC devices
• Develop documentation for FPGA operation and interfacing with other SW and FPGA systems
• Participate in test campaigns, ranging from module-level to automated testing at the unit and system level

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR FPGA ENGINEER II:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, or software engineering; or other engineering degree
• 8+ years of experience with FPGA firmware development
• Proficiency in VHDL
• Strong understanding of FPGA design fundamentals and principles
• U.S. citizenship due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master's or PhD degree in electrical, computer, or software engineering; or other engineering degrees
• Proficiency with Xilinx and Microchip devices and tools
• Proficiency with verification frameworks including UVM and VUnit
• Experience with software defined radios and DSP algorithms
• Experience with feedback control systems
• Experience with FPGAs and embedded systems in a radiation environment, including SEU/SEL impact and mitigation within spacecraft avionics
• Proficiency with concepts in signal integrity and digital timing with experience in digital worst case circuit analysis (DWCCA)
• Experience working with common interface protocols including SPI, UART, I2C, and CAN
• Experience working with high-speed interface protocols including GigE and PCIe
• Proficiency with embedded software
• Proficiency in reading PCB designs and schematics
• Proficiency with lab tools and working with hardware
• Proficiency with GIT repository
• Proficiency with JIRA
• Experience with development in continuous integration environment
• Demonstrated success working in a dynamic environment and ability to manage competing priorities

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package , giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company