FPGA Electrical Engineer III

Job Title

FPGA Electrical Engineer III

Role Summary

Design and deliver flight‑grade FPGA-based avionics and motor controller systems for robotic planetary and space applications. Work within multi-disciplinary teams (electrical, mechanical, software, controls, test, systems) through the full product lifecycle from concept to flight-ready hardware.

This is an onsite role at the Altadena, CA office. Relocation assistance is provided.

Experience Level

Mid-level; the role expects at least 5+ years of relevant hardware development and test experience.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include FPGA design ownership, hardware bring-up, verification, and avionics integration.

• Serve as flight FPGA design owner across project lifecycle and mentor junior engineers.
• Architect and implement FPGA/SoC designs, produce RTL (SystemVerilog/Verilog) and SoC integration.
• Optimize architectures for performance, power, and cost trade-offs.
• Develop and execute simulation, verification, and validation plans; support prototype bring-up and V&V.
• Troubleshoot and debug digital design issues; implement interfaces between hardware and firmware/software.
• Checkout high-reliability PCBs and support integrated, environmental, and vendor testing (including radiation labs as required).
• Document design specifications and participate in design reviews and cross-functional technical discussions.
• Support avionics integration, verification planning, scheduling, and test execution.

Requirements

Concise list of required and preferred technical skills and experience.

• Must-have: 5+ years developing and testing complex hardware across the full product lifecycle.
• Must-have: Proficiency in SystemVerilog or Verilog for RTL implementation and strong FPGA toolflow experience (synthesis, RTL-to-gates).
• Must-have: Experience with SoC integration, interface design, and understanding of digital timing and synchronization.
• Must-have: Knowledge of industry-standard bus protocols (AXI, AHB) and experience with simulation and debugging of complex digital systems.
• Must-have: Hands-on experience with avionics integration and test; ability to work independently on aggressive schedules; strong written and verbal communication.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with Microchip Libero and implementing FPGA-based motor controllers.
• Nice-to-have: Experience designing complex PCBs (Altium) and working with hardware/firmware/software integrated systems.
• Nice-to-have: Scripting and programming skills (Python, C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink, shell scripting, assembly).

Education Requirements

Minimum: B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. Preferred: graduate degree (M.S. or equivalent) in an engineering or technical discipline. (Degree language appears in the posting; no explicit alternate "or equivalent experience" statement was provided.)

About the Company

Company: Blue Origin

Headquarters: Kent, Washington, United States

Blue Origin is an American aerospace company developing technologies for spaceflight, including reusable launch vehicles, orbital and suborbital systems, and space infrastructure for commercial and government customers.