FPGA Engineer

Job Title

FPGA Engineer

Role Summary

Responsible for architecture, RTL design, verification, and testing of FPGA systems used on spacecraft. Work closely with software, DSP, firmware, and hardware teams to meet performance, reliability, and radiation-mitigation requirements for commercial and government satellite projects.

Systems include software-defined radios, avionics, and ground systems; role involves development, integration, and system-level tradeoffs across multiple FPGAs and toolchains.

Experience Level

Entry-level / Early career — requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant FPGA or hardware engineering experience.

Responsibilities

Core responsibilities include design, verification, and integration of FPGA-based systems:

• Design RTL for high-performance systems (software-defined radios, avionics, ground systems).
• Implement and verify FPGA logic across multiple devices and toolchains.
• Interface FPGAs with high-speed data converters, memories, and microcontrollers.
• Design, implement, and test radiation-mitigation schemes for FPGA designs.
• Collaborate with DSP/radio algorithm designers and embedded firmware/software engineers.
• Participate in system-level tradeoffs involving power, thermal, and area.
• Support testing, debugging, verification, synthesis, and timing closure.
• Assist in recruiting and interviewing new team members.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications and required skills.

• U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (Green Card), or protected individual as defined by U.S. law. This is a legal requirement.
• 2+ years of professional experience in FPGA or hardware design.
• Proven experience designing, implementing, verifying, and testing high-throughput FPGA systems.
• Strong proficiency in Verilog and/or SystemVerilog for synthesis and verification.
• Hands-on hardware development experience and familiarity with system- and circuit-level debugging and testing.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with DSP, firmware, and software teams in a fast-paced environment.

Nice-to-have

• Experience with Xilinx FPGAs and Vivado/TCL.
• Experience with RF/IF/IQ systems, ADCs/DACs, JESD204, modulation, and digital communication theory (e.g., LDPC).
• Experience with UVM, system-level power/thermal estimation, or space-based systems.
• Experience in DSP, radio design, or hi-reliability/fault analysis and recovery.

Education Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent required. Master’s or PhD in computer engineering or a related field is preferred. Equivalent practical experience is acceptable.

About the Company

Company: Astranis

Headquarters: San Francisco, CA, USA

Astranis designs, builds, and operates small geostationary satellites and satellite communications networks, providing secure, customizable connectivity to commercial, government, and military customers. The company handles end-to-end satellite development, manufacturing, and operations and has raised substantial venture funding to support launches and commercial deployments.