FPGA Firmware Engineer II

Job Title: Remote Firmware Engineer II

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, implementing, and validating advanced FPGA-based firmware to support cutting-edge electro-optical and infrared systems for space domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications. You will collaborate closely with hardware and software teams to define requirements, develop VHDL-based FPGA designs, and ensure robust performance in demanding environments, including space. This position offers the opportunity to work with the latest FPGA technologies, including Xilinx platforms, on systems that process data at the edge and enable high-impact space missions.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the hardware design team to refine and translate system requirements into robust FPGA firmware architectures.
• Complete end-to-end FPGA logic design, including coding in VHDL, simulation, verification, and integration testing.
• Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis to ensure designs meet performance, resource, and reliability constraints.
• Execute debugging and validation of FPGA designs in the lab, including root cause analysis and design iteration.
• Support hardware and software development teams during bring-up and test of products, ensuring seamless integration of firmware with embedded systems and software interfaces.
• Provide subject-matter expertise on FPGA design practices, automated test development procedures, and best practices to internal teams and production support.
• Conduct research and analysis of customer specifications, datasheets, and technical manuals to determine design approaches and assess feasibility.
• Develop and refine FPGA-based solutions for image processing and other mission-critical algorithms, particularly for electro-optical and infrared payloads.
• Implement and support high-speed interfaces such as DDR4, Aurora, AXI Stream, and other multi-gigabit transceiver interfaces as required.
• Contribute to the development and integration of IP blocks, including creating custom RTL from scratch and integrating existing IP into RTL and block designs.
  
  

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.
• At least 3 years of professional experience with hand-coded implementation and AI-assisted implementation in VHDL.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline.
• Strong experience in FPGA-based development using VHDL, including coding, simulation, synthesis, and timing analysis.

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• Proficiency in debugging FPGA designs in a lab environment, including use of relevant tools and methodologies.
  
  

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Linux-based development or strong familiarity with Linux environments.
• Exposure to Yocto-based build environments.
• Experience with serial and communication interfaces such as RS‑422/RS‑485, I²C, SPI, Ethernet/GigE, TCP/IP, UDP, and CAN.
• Experience with high-speed interfaces, including DDR or multi-gigabit transceivers.
• Experience with Xilinx/AMD Versal architecture or similar advanced FPGA platforms.
• Experience working with FPGAs and embedded systems in radiation environments, including understanding of SEU/SEL impacts and mitigation techniques.
• Experience implementing FPGA- or ASIC-based image processing algorithms.
  
  

Work Environment

This is a fully remote position, offering flexibility in your work location while contributing to high-impact space and sensing missions. You will collaborate with a distributed team of experts who value knowledge sharing, mutual learning, and working together to achieve complex mission objectives. Occasional travel may be required, with the potential for up to approximately two weeks per quarter, for activities such as on-site integration, lab testing, or team collaboration. The work centers on advanced FPGA technologies and electro-optical systems that operate in space and other demanding environments, with a strong emphasis on technical excellence, innovation, and mission success.

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.

Requirements

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 16, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.