Senior FPGA Firmware Engineer II: Space Payloads

Rocket Lab USA; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer II to join the Optical Systems team in Tucson, AZ. You will design FPGA logic for advanced electro‑optical space payloads, collaborate with hardware and software teams, and help bring up and test new hardware.

The role requires 8+ years of FPGA experience in VHDL, a bachelor’s in electrical or computer engineering, and the ability to obtain U.S. security clearance.

Qualifications

• 8+ years FPGA firmware development from scratch in VHDL.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with hardware design team on requirements.
• Complete FPGA logic design, coding, simulation, and testing.
• Support hardware and software bring-up and test of products.
• Provide subject-matter expertise regarding design and automated test development procedures to customers and production support team.
• Perform research and analysis of data to determine design approach and feasibility.
• Execute debugging of the design in the lab.
• Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis.

Skills

FPGA firmware (VHDL)

Security clearance eligible

FPGA design verification

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer or electrical engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer II to join the Optical Systems team in Tucson, AZ. You will design FPGA logic for advanced electro‑optical space payloads, collaborate with hardware and software teams, and help bring up and test new hardware.

The role requires 8+ years of FPGA experience in VHDL, a bachelor’s in electrical or computer engineering, and the ability to obtain U.S. security clearance.