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CesiumAstro develops advanced communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We are seeking a Principal FPGA Engineer to lead FPGA design and verification efforts for space-based programs.
In this role, you will be responsible for FPGA circuits and systems throughout all phases of development, from architecture definition through deployment. You will lead FPGA design and verification efforts ensuring compliance with industry standards and program requirements. Working with cross-functional teams (system engineering, hardware designers, and software engineers), you will define FPGA architecture, partitioning, interface definitions, and specifications. You will develop FPGA architecture based on high-level system requirements, formulate part selections, and provide SWAP-C estimates with emphasis on FPGA utilization and power consumption.
As a principal-level engineer, you will act as the subject matter expert during design reviews, presenting engineering design review materials to customers and the executive team. You will participate in proposal-writing efforts and mentor junior FPGA designers to drive efficiency, quality, and consistency. You will maintain awareness of emerging technologies to inform future product development for space applications.
Key responsibilities include leading FPGA design and verification for space programs, collaborating with cross-functional teams on architecture and specifications, developing FPGA designs optimized for power and utilization, serving as SME in design reviews, mentoring junior engineers, and tracking emerging technologies.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor of Science (BS) or Master of Science (MS) degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering from an accredited university
- 12 years of industry or university research experience in FPGA design, analysis, and implementation at the HDL level
- Proficiency in VHDL and/or Verilog design capture
- Familiarity with radiation-tolerant FPGA devices (Xilinx Versal, Xilinx UltraScale+, Xilinx RFSoC, Microsemi PolarFire, RTG-4)
- Expertise in FPGA implementation (synthesis, place and route, timing closure) and verification
- Proficiency with HDL coder, Modelsim RTL simulation tools, Xilinx and Microsemi tool flows
- Strong understanding of space environment considerations and radiation effects on FPGA parts to develop mitigation techniques
- Hands-on experience with lab instruments (digital oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, RF signal generators, vector signal analyzers)
- Experience with high-speed interfaces and power optimization techniques for space applications
- Proven track record of successful FPGA designs deployed in space programs
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status (lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, asylee, or refugee)
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
- Worst-case analysis, failure method and criticality analyses, and reliability analysis
- Digital communications and digital signal processing
- Board-level hardware design
- Ability to work efficiently with distributed teams
- Git source code control proficiency
- Firmware development using agile flows
