Staff Electrical Engineer, FPGA Development

True Anomaly; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Equity options

401K retirement plan

Job summary

A leading aerospace technology company is seeking a Staff FPGA Developer in Long Beach, CA. You will lead the development of reconfigurable logic architectures for spacecraft and avionics systems. The ideal candidate has 8+ years of FPGA design experience and is adept at collaborating cross-functionally to achieve program goals. This role offers a dynamic environment within the technology sector, emphasizing innovative engineering solutions to enhance space security.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional FPGA design experience, with staff or principal engineer-level contributions.
• Proven ability to architect cross-team solutions and drive program-level delivery.
• Experience designing high-speed Ethernet interfaces including MAC/PHY integration.

Responsibilities

• Define and own reconfigurable logic architectures across avionics and payload systems.
• Lead the design and development of a real-time FPGA-based image processing pipeline.
• Establish digital interface standards and FPGA reliability standards.

Skills

FPGA design experience

Cross-team collaboration

High-speed Ethernet interfaces

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

PolarFire FPGA

C/C++

Python

Job description

Staff Electrical Engineer, FPGA Development

Long Beach, CA

A new space race has begun. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build innovative technology that solves the next generation of engineering, manufacturing, and operational challenges for space security and sustainability.

OUR MISSION

The peaceful use of space is essential for continued prosperity on Earth—from communications and finance to navigation and logistics. True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to enhance the capabilities of the U.S., its allies, and commercial partners. We safeguard global security by ensuring space access and sustainability for all.

OUR VALUES

• Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity
• What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results
• It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together

YOUR MISSION

True Anomaly is seeking an exceptional Staff FPGA Developer to serve as the cross-team technical authority for reconfigurable logic architecture across our spacecraft avionics and payload systems. You will define the common frameworks, digital interface standards, and verification methodologies the entire engineering organization builds upon — and lead the development of a real-time FPGA-based image processing pipeline for on-orbit spacecraft detection, identification, and tracking. You architect solutions that span teams, codify durable patterns, and drive program-level outcomes with calm precision.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and own reconfigurable logic architectures across avionics and payload systems, ensuring common frameworks and IP reuse
• Lead the design and development of a real-time FPGA-based image processing pipeline for on-orbit spacecraft detection and tracking from payload camera and RPO sensor inputs
• Establish digital interface standards, FPGA reliability standards, and component qualification strategy across programs
• Own the FPGA verification methodology across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring reuse and integration with system-level test
• Design and implement high-speed Ethernet interfaces, including MAC/PHY integration, Layer 2 switch development, and high-throughput data path design
• Optimize avionics architecture at the system level, informing trade studies across performance, cost, reliability, and schedule
• Run multi-stream FPGA development efforts, coordinating delivery and holding accountability for program-level outcomes
• Coach engineers across teams, codify best practices, and build reusable, scalable design patterns

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)
• 8+ years of professional FPGA design experience, with demonstrated staff or principal engineer-level contributions
• Experience designing high-speed Ethernet interfaces including MAC/PHY integration and Layer 2 Ethernet switch development
• Proven ability to architect cross-team solutions, manage ambiguity, and drive program-level delivery

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience with space-qualified or radiation-hardened FPGA families (PolarFire, ProASIC3, SmartFusion2, etc.)
• Experience with computer vision algorithms in FPGA fabric (object detection, centroiding, correlation-based tracking)
• Familiarity with SpaceWire, PCIe, and embedded bus protocols (SPI, I2C, UART)
• Exposure to C, C++, or Python for firmware integration and test automation
• Experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting

COMPENSATION

• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to maintain or obtain TS// SCI clearance
• Work Location— this role will be onsite at our Long Beach, CA location, with travel to other sites as needed.
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.

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.