Embedded FPGA Engineer

Job Title

Embedded FPGA Engineer

Role Summary

Design and implement FPGA-based digital signal processing (DSP) functions on embedded SOSA/VPX platforms using modern FPGAs and toolchains. Contribute to integration, optimization, verification, and deployment of FPGA/DSP components within cross-functional engineering teams supporting defense systems.

Work independently and collaboratively, adopt new development acceleration tools, and maintain engineering documentation.

Experience Level

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

Responsibilities

Deliver FPGA DSP capabilities from design through validation and integration.

• Design and implement FPGA-based DSP systems using HDL, Vitis HLS, and modern FPGA toolchains.
• Develop and optimize DSP algorithms (filtering, detection, synchronization, modulation/demodulation, transforms) into high-throughput, resource-efficient hardware blocks.
• Collaborate with software, firmware, and system engineers to integrate FPGA designs into larger architectures.
• Test, verify, and validate FPGA designs for functional correctness and real-time performance.
• Optimize designs for timing, area, power, and throughput using HLS directives and traditional FPGA workflows.
• Create reusable hardware IP blocks and scalable DSP pipelines.
• Maintain documentation: design notes, block diagrams, interface definitions, and user guides.
• Identify and evaluate techniques and tools that improve FPGA development efficiency and DSP performance.

Requirements

Core must-have skills, experience, and security eligibility.

• 3+ years' experience developing FPGA or SDR solutions.
• Proficiency with HDL (Verilog, VHDL, SystemVerilog) and HLS (Vitis HLS); experience with simulation, synthesis, fitting, timing analysis, implementation, and debug.
• Experience with Xilinx toolchains (Vitis, Vivado) and scripting (e.g., TCL).
• Programming/scripting experience: Python, C++ (embedded), MATLAB, or similar for DSP modeling.
• Experience in Linux/UNIX development environments and scripting.
• Knowledge of digital design fundamentals: streaming architectures, pipelining, buffering, and datapath timing.
• Ability to read hardware schematics and use laboratory equipment (logic analyzer, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer).
• Experience with Agile processes and tools (Jira, Confluence).
• Ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance (applicants will be subject to a security investigation).

Nice-to-have:

• Experience implementing or prototyping DSP algorithms in hardware and optimizing C/C++ for HLS translation.
• Experience with SOSA/VPX systems and porting vendor RF transceiver reference designs to FPGA evaluation boards or custom platforms.
• RF testing experience and familiarity with high-speed digital interfaces (AXI-Stream, AXI-Lite, DMA).
• Experience with GPU acceleration, parallel computing, or high-bandwidth data processing.
• Familiarity with AI-driven or agentic engineering workflows for FPGA design, simulation, synthesis, or testing.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering required. Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field is preferred.

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.