Senior FPGA Engineer

Worker Type

Job Description

Summary
AV is seeking skilled and adaptable FPGA engineers to work as members of a multi-disciplinary team supporting m multiple technology areas. Our Space Tech division develops high-performance electromechanical electro-optical control and communication systems. These solutions include digital signal processing algorithms deployed using System on Chip (SoC) or Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) in combination with General Purpose Processors (GPPs) and microcontrollers.

On any given day the selected candidate may be asked to:
Develop and maintain general-purpose and mission specific RTL/Firmware
Develop and maintain firm ware for peripheral interfaces
Analog to Digital Converters
Digital to Analog Converters
Serial links and communication interfaces (SpaceWire SPI CameraLink 1Gb Ethernet MIL-1553B)
Develop and maintain automated FPGA firmware platform build scripts
Deploy firmware to physical devices
Architect and develop firmware for space electronics including FPGAs microcontrollers and RTOS-based systems.
Optimize embedded software for radiation-hardened and high-reliability environments.
Conduct system integration testing and validation of firmware in simulated and real-world aerospace conditions.
Support compliance with space industry standards (NASA ESA MIL-STD).

Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications
Bachelors degree in electrical engineering computer engineering or computer science.
5 years of professional experience designing using hardware description languages (VHDL or Verilog)
Ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
Some experience using Xilinx devices (Zynq Virtex / Kintex) and toolchains (Vivado / ISE) and/or Microchip devices (RTAX / ProASIC / RTG4) and toolchains (Libero).
Some experience doing firmware development in embedded systems preferably for aerospace or space applications.
Knowledge of (serial) communication protocols and standards.
Familiarity with multiple clock-domain digital design techniques.
Familiarity with in-system debuggers and logic analyzers.
Familiarity with designing and managing FPGA physical constraints.
Familiarity with Tool Command Language (TCL).
Proven demonstrated experience taking VHDL or Verilog designs to a hardware environment.
Familiarity with the Xilinx SoC devices.
Familiarity with FPGA floorplanning techniques.
Familiarity with Xilinx System Generator.
Familiarity with other computing languages (C/C Python Java).
Familiarity with verification techniques including linting and constrained random testing.
Knowledge of RTOS bare-metal firmware and hardware-software co-design.
Experience working with hardware accelerators and space communication protocols.
Familiarity with other synthesis and simulation environments (Synopsys Aldec).

Physical Demands
Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Frequent)
Ability to support field testing and integration assignments. (Infrequently)
Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk hear and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Clearance Level

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer including but not limited to the location the role and associated responsibilities a candidates work experience education/training and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironments determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironments business requirements. A U.S. person according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder) or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical dental vision 401K with company matching a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isnt for everyone. We hire the curious the relentless the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We dont just build defense technologywe redefine whats possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S. AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air land sea space and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonianbut were not building history were building whats next.

If youre ready to build technology that matterswith speed scale and purposetheres no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer including disability/veterans. AeroVironment Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race sex color religion national origin age disability protected veteran status genetic datasexual orientation gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR