Staff FPGA Engineer

VTG Defense; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

VTG Defense is seeking a Staff FPGA Engineer to rapidly develop, test, and implement FPGA designs on Xilinx SoC platforms in Reston, VA. This role requires strong digital design, VHDL/Verilog coding, and HDL simulation to support critical defense projects.

You will lead the full design lifecycle, integrate third-party IP, and bring up ARM-based SoC hardware, while ensuring safety and performance standards. Candidates should have 12+ years FPGA experience, a B.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years of FPGA design experience.
• Experience with Xilinx SoC preferred.
• Proficient in VHDL/Verilog.
• Active U.S. Secret security clearance.
• SoC hardware bring-up on ARM-based systems is a plus.
• Familiar with Vivado, ModelSim, Quartus.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement FPGA designs across full design lifecycle.
• Integrate third-party IP as needed.
• Support high-speed interfaces and signal processing on FPGA.
• Perform HDL-level and system-level debugging.
• Ensure safety and performance standards alignment.

Skills

FPGA design

VHDL/Verilog

Xilinx SoC

ARM-based bring-up

Problem solving

Teamwork

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field

Tools

Vivado

ModelSim

Quartus

Job description

Overview

VTG is seeking a Staff FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) Engineer to support our Defense customer in Reston, VA. Our Staff FPGA Engineer will be responsible for rapidly developing, testing, and implementing FPGA designs on Xilinx SoC/FPGA platforms. This requires strong skills in digital circuit design, VHDL/Verilog coding, and simulation to contribute to projects that are shaping the future of defense.

What will you do?

• Integrate third-party vendors IP, as necessary
• Participate in entire design life cycle: from requirements and concept, through design and hand on testing/board bring up
• Implement a variety of signal types such as high speed comms (ethernet, serial), signal processing (analog, digital)
• Ensure designs meet all relevant safety and performance standards, with traceability back to top-level system requirements, as necessary
• Investigate and resolve bugs found during hand on testing (at HDL level and system level)

Do you have what it takes?

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field
• 12+ years of professional experience in FPGA design and development. Experience with Xilinx SoC is highly preferred
• Familiarity with design software like Vivado (preferred), ModelSim, or Quartus
• Proficient in VHDL and/or Verilog
• Experience in SoC hardware bring-up, preferably on ARM-based systems
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, challenging environment
• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of designing for safety-critical functions
• FPGA interfaces and high speed busses
• Experience with systems on a Chip (SoC)
• Low-level firmware (C/C++) development for bring-up and test

Contingent Upon Contract Award

VTG's estimated starting pay range is $150,000-$195,000 which is a general guideline for the geographic location. When extending an offer, VTG also considers work experience, education, skill level, market considerations and may possibly include contractual requirements which may cause an offer to fall outside of this range.