Embedded FPGA Engineer

Job Title

Embedded FPGA Engineer

Role Summary

Design, implement, and validate FPGA-based digital signal processing (DSP) functions for embedded SOSA/VPX systems using modern FPGA toolchains. Work on RF signal-processing applications as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team integrating firmware and software.

Role focuses on translating DSP algorithms into resource-efficient, real-time hardware blocks, optimizing timing/area/power, and producing reusable IP for deployed embedded platforms.

Experience Level

Mid-level — typically requires 3+ years of relevant FPGA or SDR development experience.

Responsibilities

The engineer will develop FPGA DSP capabilities, integrate designs with system software/firmware, and verify performance under real-time constraints.

• Design and implement FPGA-based DSP systems using HDL and HLS.
• Translate and optimize algorithms (filtering, detection, synchronization, modulation/demodulation, transforms) into high-throughput hardware blocks.
• Integrate FPGA designs with software, firmware, and system architectures; collaborate across teams.
• Test, verify, and validate designs for functional correctness and real-time performance.
• Optimize designs for timing, area, power, and throughput using HLS directives and FPGA workflows.
• Develop reusable IP blocks and scalable DSP pipelines.
• Maintain design documentation: block diagrams, interface definitions, design notes, and user guides.
• Investigate and propose techniques or tools to improve FPGA development efficiency and DSP performance.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, tools experience, and clearance capability.

Must-have:

• 3+ years developing FPGA or SDR solutions.
• Experience with HDL or HLS (Verilog, VHDL, SystemVerilog, or Vitis HLS) and FPGA toolflows (simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, implementation, debug).
• Experience with Xilinx toolchains (Vitis, Vivado) and scripting (Tcl) or equivalent vendor ecosystems.
• Proficiency with Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar for modeling and algorithm development.
• Experience in Linux/UNIX development and scripting.
• Knowledge of digital design fundamentals: streaming architectures, pipelining, buffering, and datapath timing.
• Ability to read hardware schematics and operate lab equipment (logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers).
• Experience with Agile processes and tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence).
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with SOSA/VPX systems and vendor RF transceiver reference designs.
• Experience implementing or prototyping DSP algorithms in hardware and optimizing HLS-friendly C/C++ for hardware translation.
• Experience with RF testing and high-speed interfaces (AXI-Stream, AXI-Lite, DMA).
• Familiarity with GPU acceleration, parallel computing, or high-bandwidth data processing.
• Experience with AI/automation tools for FPGA design, simulation, synthesis, or testing workflows.

Education Requirements

Required: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. Preferred: Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. (No other certifications or equivalent-degree language specified.)

About the Company

Company: Booz Allen & Hamilton

Headquarters: McLean, Virginia, United States

Management and technology consulting firm providing analytics, engineering, cyber, digital, and mission services to U.S. government agencies (especially defense and intelligence) and commercial clients.