Electrical Engineer, FPGA/ASIC (Level 3/4) - Dulles

Job Title

Electrical Engineer, FPGA/ASIC (Level 3/4) - Dulles

Role Summary

Design and verify FPGA-based Command & Data Handling (CD&H) products for space applications within the Electrical Engineering Avionics team. Work covers system requirements analysis, architecture, RTL design, verification, synthesis, and implementation for flight hardware.

This is a 100% onsite role in Dulles, VA supporting space programs; the position may be filled at Level 3 or Level 4.

Experience Level

Mid-career to Senior. Level 3 corresponds to mid-career experience; Level 4 corresponds to senior experience. Specific experience-year expectations are summarized in Education Requirements.

Responsibilities

Primary engineering tasks and team contributions:

• Translate system requirements into programmable logic requirements, design documentation, and test specifications.
• Architect, design, code, and verify FPGA logic (RTL) using VHDL; develop testbenches and formal verification where required.
• Execute FPGA implementation flow: RTL/gate-level simulation, synthesis, place & route, static timing analysis, and power analysis.
• Perform board- and system-level debug using lab equipment and support integration and test activities.
• Provide technical leadership in architecture definition and mentor/lead engineering teams as required.
• Support program documentation, design reviews, and requirements traceability for space/aerospace environments.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, security, and logistical requirements. Degree information is listed separately under Education Requirements.

• Active Top-Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance required at time of application.
• Hands-on VHDL design experience; must have used VHDL within the past 3 years.
• Proficiency in FPGA design flow (RTL/gate-level simulation, synthesis, place & route, static timing and power analysis).
• Experience translating system requirements into FPGA implementations, test plans, and verification artifacts.
• Proven experience in defining architectures and providing technical or team leadership.
• Ability to work onsite on a 9/80 schedule; travel up to ~10%.
• U.S. citizenship is required for positions needing a government clearance.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with RF or mixed-signal circuits, DSP, MATLAB, Simulink, SystemVerilog, or formal verification tools.
• Familiarity with Xilinx, Microchip (RTG4) devices and EDA tools such as Vivado, Quartus, QuestaSim.
• Experience with FPGA physical constraints and strategies to achieve timing closure.

Education Requirements

Degree options accepted with corresponding years-of-professional experience per level: Level 3: Bachelor’s +5 years, Master’s +3 years, or PhD +1 year. Level 4: Bachelor’s +8 years, Master’s +6 years, or PhD +4 years. The posting also allows equivalent professional experience in lieu of a degree where specified.

About the Company

Company: Northrop Grumman

Headquarters: Falls Church, Virginia, United States

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company that provides innovative solutions in mission systems, electronics, and software. With a legacy of significant advancements in technology, we empower employees to tackle complex challenges and create revolutionary systems that enhance global security. Our diverse teams focus on engineering innovation and product development, delivering solutions that support military and civilian customers worldwide.