Hardware Design Engineer - Digital Analog VHDL

Saab; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Saab invites an experienced Hardware Design Engineer specialized in Digital, Analog and VHDL. The role focuses on developing reusable HDL building blocks in VHDL, high-speed digital designs with FPGA SOCs, and MIL‑SPEC power supplies, while ensuring robust test environments using ModelSim and related tools.

Responsibilities include documenting designs according to hardware processes, baseline configuration control, and cross‑functional collaboration with project management to track progress and

Qualifications

• 5 years' experience in hardware design (HDL, analog or mixed-signal).
• Hardware bring-up including testing and debugging.
• Create and maintain development documentation per hardware process (requirements, design desc., test docs).

Responsibilities

• Develop HDL library building blocks in VHDL based on industry standards.
• Design high-speed digital hardware (FPGAs, SOCs).
• Create test environments using ModelSim and related tools.
• Design Mil-Spec power supplies and analog interfaces.
• Produce and manage design documentation and baselines.

Skills

VHDL coding

FPGA design

Analog design

Test and debugging

Documentation

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

B.Eng. Degree (Electronics)

Honours

Master’s degree

Tools

Vivado

LiberoSoC

Quartus Prime

ModelSim

HyperLynx

LTSpice

DOORS

Job description

Hardware Design Engineer - Digital Analog VHDL

This position requires an experienced Firmware (VHDL), Digital or Analog Hardware Design Engineer within the Hardware Engineering Group. We are looking for an individual who is proficient in one or more of the above hardware development skills, with applicable testing and integration experience.

Your role

• Develop common and reusable HDL library building blocks based on industry standards (VHDL)
• Design of high-speed digital hardware using technologies such FPGA SOC’s
• Design of test environments using tools such as Modelsim
• Mil Spec Power supply design
• Low Signal Amplification
• Photo diode detector / Laser diode driving circuits
• Create and maintain development documentation according to the hardware development process (Requirements, Design Descriptions and Test Documentation)
• Configuration and version control of the baselines
• Interface with project management team and provide feedback on progress and schedule

Typical design technologies utilised are:

• Mil Spec Power supply design
• Xilinx, Microsemi, Intel/Altera FPGA and SOC’s
• Highspeed serial interfaces
• CAN interfaces
• PCIe interfaces
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Aurora
• A2D / D2A High Speed / Serdes
• DDR Memory
• DC-DC converters, Regulation
• Mil Spec protection, filtering and power conditioning
• EMI compliance

Typical tools utilised are:

• Vivado, LiberoSoC and Quartus Prime
• HDL Designer
• ModelSim
• HyperLynx
• Mentor Designer
• LTSpice (analog simulations)
• DOORS for requirement capturing

Skills in the following will be an advantage:

• Firmware VHDL / HDL Designer, Modelsim
• Xilinx RFSOC
• Hyper lynx for PCB analysis
• High-speed A2D interfacing to FPGAs, transceivers
• Analog design includes Mil Spec Power supply design
• Fiber communication
• EMI design concepts
• Fault finding skills

Your profile

Required knowledge:

• Leadership: guiding and mentoring junior engineers, making decisions, and driving the project forward
• Working Autonomously: being self-reliant in solving complex problems without constant supervision
• Forthcoming: proactively sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback with the team
• Oral and Written Communication: effectively conveying technical concepts and project updates to stakeholders
• Enthusiasm: showing a genuine passion for engineering and staying motivated in challenging situations
• Meeting Deadlines: prioritizing tasks effectively and managing time to ensure project milestones are met

Practical Experience:

• 5 years' experience in any of the three categories
• Design documentation (requirement capture to testing capture)
• Hardware bring-up (testing and debugging)

Qualification:

• B.Eng. Degree (Electronics)
• Honours and Master will be an advantage

Person Specification:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritise and multi-task
• Professionalism and strong work ethic
• Oral and written communications skills

Competencies:

• Skilled in VHDL Coding and industry practices and standards
• FPGA based Hardware Design Experience
• Skilled in analog/power supply design
• Test, Integration and Debug skills

What you will be a part of

SGD has reinforced its position as a leading South African defence and security company, bringing capabilities including electronic warfare systems, sensor technology, training systems, avionics, security and support solutions to the African and international markets. These capabilities are supplied and supported over the air, land, sea and civil security domains.

With new and improved technological systems and solutions, SGD increases a country’s defence capabilities and provides innovative, effective products and services for those tasked to maintain security. The company also works with various stakeholders in gathering data and providing insight into how security threats evolve, and what the best market-customised solutions are.

If you aspire to help create and innovate whilst developing yourself in a challenging team setting, Saab may well have the perfect conditions for you to grow. We pride ourselves on a nurturing environment, where everyone is different yet we share the same goal - to help protect people.

SGD will give preference to South African citizens, and we also welcome applications from individuals with culturally diverse backgrounds

Please consider your application as unsuccessful if you have not received feedback from us within 30 days after the closing date.