Sr Firmware Engineer

Acara Solutions, Inc.; Rancho Santa Margarita (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Acara Solutions is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer to join the FPGA Development team, developing FPGA firmware for the Secure Communication System. You will lead design from conception through verification and production release using VHDL and industry tools.

The role requires 10+ years of firmware experience, a BS in EE or CS, and US citizenship. You will mentor junior engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams in a defense/aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
• Minimum 10 years of firmware development experience.
• Experience with FPGA design, VHDL, and lab verification.
• Security/defense/aerospace domain experience preferred.
• US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Develop FPGA firmware using VHDL and verify designs in the lab.
• Lead large-scale FPGA logic design from conception to production release.
• Create firmware requirements specifications and architecture.
• Conduct requirements analysis, design, implementation and testing.
• Support design reviews with internal and external customers.
• Mentor junior engineers in firmware development and debugging.

Skills

Strong analytical abilities

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent written and verbal skills

Self-starter

US Citizenship

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent

Tools

ModelSim

Libero

Vivado

Vitis

MATLAB

Xilinx FPGAs

MiroSemi FPGAs

Job description

Compensation

$68.00 - $77.00 per hour

About the Opportunity

Palomar is looking for a talented and highly motivated Senior Firmware Engineer to join the FPGA Development team and help develop current and future generations of our Secure Communication System (SCS). The ideal candidate will be motivated, talented and will have experience with FPGA development projects in the defense and aerospace industry, working from requirements through design, coding, simulation, integration and testing.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability
• Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries
• People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work
• Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidates

Why This Opportunity is Exciting

This role offers the chance to join a company that prioritizes both people and performance-where your contributions directly impact client success while giving you room to grow and develop professionally.

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

What You'll Do

• Develop FPGA firmware using VHDL language, test the design using software tools and perform Verification and Validation tests in the lab
• Lead the development of large scale VHDL FPGA logic design from conception, through execution and production release and help develop logic design architecture and firmware requirements specifications
• Perform firmware engineering activities across the entire development lifecycle: requirements analysis, firmware design, implementation and test.
• Support design review meetings with internal and external customers
• Mentor junior engineers in Firmware development, debug analysis and problem solving
• Support board design team members with pinout and schematic development

What You'll Bring

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent
• Minimum 10+ years of firmware development

What Sets You Apart

• Working knowledge of electrical engineering design activities with emphasis on digital systems. Familiarity with design verification, testing, and qualification of developed products
• Experience with Xilinx and MiroSemi FPGAs and the relevant development tools such as ModelSim, Libero, Vivado, Vitis, Matlab, etc.
• Experience with serial communication protocols such as: I2C, SPI, PCIe, T1, Ethernet, etc.
• Hands-on hardware testing, hardware debugging and in-system testing of FPGA designs using test equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum/logic analyzers, power meters, etc.
• Working knowledge of configuration management and configuration control aspects for hardware, software, documentation products, including generation and maintenance of builds and verification documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem solving abilities
• Strong interpersonal skills to enable working, interfacing and interrelating with diverse personnel and dynamic teams
• Motivated self-starter with excellent oral and written communication skills. Must be comfortable preparing and presenting data in front of peers and/or external customers
• Must be able to provide proof of US Citizenship

Additional Information

• Familiarity with UVM and System Verilog for design verification
• Knowledge of engineering design process, tools, and techniques specifically related to DO-254 certifiable FPGA design
• Experience with Audio systems, conferencing and distribution of audio data and Audio signal processing
• Familiarity with ISO 9000, AS9100, DO-178B, DO-254, MIL-STDs, and other applicable standards

Equal Opportunity Statement

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Legal & Work Authorization

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.