Firmware Engineer

Job Title: Senior Firmware Engineer II – FPGA / VHDL Job Description This role focuses on designing, implementing, and validating advanced FPGA-based firmware for cutting-edge electro-optical and infrared systems used in space domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications. You will collaborate closely with hardware and software teams to define requirements, architect FPGA solutions, and bring complex systems from concept through lab debug and verification. The work directly supports space-based payloads and on-board image processing, enabling high-performance sensing and data processing in challenging space environments. Responsibilities Collaborate with the hardware design team to define and refine FPGA and firmware requirements. Complete FPGA logic design, including architecture definition, coding in VHDL, simulation, and functional verification. Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis to ensure robust, high-performance FPGA designs. Support hardware and software development teams during system bring-up, integration, and testing of new products. Execute detailed debugging of FPGA designs in the lab, identifying and resolving functional, timing, and interface issues. Provide subject-matter expertise on FPGA design practices and automated test development procedures to internal teams and customers. Research and analyze customer specifications, datasheets, and technical manuals to determine design approaches and assess feasibility. Develop and refine FPGA-based implementations using both hand-coded and AI-assisted techniques in VHDL. Implement and verify high-speed interfaces such as DDR4, Aurora, AXI Stream, and AXI Memory Mapped interfaces as needed. Contribute to the design and verification of FPGA-based image processing algorithms and embedded systems for space and radiation environments. Collaborate with teams working on PCB design, schematic capture, and layout to ensure seamless integration of FPGA solutions. Support the development and verification of software interfaces to the FPGA, including interrupts, DMA, and communication protocols. Document design decisions, test results, and implementation details to support production, maintenance, and future enhancements. Participate in cross-functional collaboration to continuously improve design methodologies, tools, and workflows. Essential Skills At least 8 years of professional, full-time firmware engineering experience. At least 8 years of experience in FPGA firmware design using VHDL. Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline. At least 3 years of professional experience in hand-coded FPGA implementation. Experience with AI-assisted FPGA implementation in VHDL. Strong proficiency in FPGA design flows, including coding, simulation, synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis. Ability to debug complex FPGA designs in a lab environment, including hardware bring-up and system-level testing. Experience collaborating with hardware and software teams on requirements definition and system integration. Ability to interpret and analyze technical specifications, datasheets, and manuals to guide design decisions. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience with Linux development or strong familiarity with Linux-based environments. Experience with Yocto environments and embedded Linux build systems. Knowledge of common communication interfaces such as RS‑422/RS‑485, I²C, SPI, Ethernet/GigE, TCP/IP, UDP, and CAN. Experience with high-speed interfaces, including DDR memory and multi-gigabit transceivers. Experience with Xilinx/AMD Versal or similar advanced FPGA architectures. Experience working with FPGAs and embedded systems in radiation environments, including understanding SEU/SEL impact and mitigation techniques. Experience implementing FPGA-based image processing algorithms. Experience creating custom IP cores from scratch for FPGA designs. Familiarity with C, C++, Python, or MATLAB, and experience translating algorithms from scripted languages into HDL implementations. Experience developing and supporting software interfaces to FPGA logic, including interrupts and DMA. Experience with DDR4, Aurora, and high-speed transceiver design and verification. Familiarity with AXI Stream and AXI Memory Mapped interfaces. Experience with PCB design, schematic capture, and layout using tools such as Altium Designer. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work effectively in a collaborative, technical team environment. Interest in space systems, electro-optical payloads, and on-board data processing. Work Environment This is a fully remote position, offering flexibility to work from your preferred location while collaborating closely with a distributed team of experts in firmware, hardware, and software. You will work with modern FPGA technologies, including platforms such as Xilinx/AMD Versal, and interact with Linux-based and Yocto environments as part of the development and integration process. The team culture emphasizes learning from one another, sharing expertise, and working together to achieve ambitious missions, including systems that ultimately launch into space. Occasional travel of up to approximately two weeks per quarter may be required for on-site integration, testing, or team collaboration activities. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Tucson, AZ. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $73.00 - $97.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully remote position. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 26, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.