FPGA Engineer

Job Title

FPGA Engineer

Role Summary

Design and implement FPGA/ASIC-based electronics and associated firmware for Electronic Safe-and-Arm devices (fuzes) used in DoD weapon systems. The role focuses on FPGA architecture and HDL development, verification, and embedded microcontroller software within a hardware engineering team delivering safety-critical products.

Experience Level

Mid-level. Typical background: several years of hands-on FPGA/embedded experience (examples below show 6+ years or equivalent experience; see Education Requirements for degree/experience equivalencies).

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include specification, design, implementation, verification, and debugging of FPGA and embedded systems.

• Define architecture and implement FPGA logic for sensor interfaces, state machines, timer chains, A/D and D/A interfaces, and communication protocols.
• Develop Verilog HDL targeting Antifuse and enhanced Flash FPGAs (Microsemi/Actel targeted).
• Create and execute verification using SystemVerilog/UVM (or similar) methodologies.
• Develop and maintain embedded C firmware and C# microcontroller code for device control and test.
• Simulate designs (QuestaSim referenced) and perform functional and performance analysis.
• Use lab tools (logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, JTAG/ICE debuggers, protocol analyzers) to debug hardware/firmware integration and validate designs in test environments or target host systems.
• Profile performance, diagnose functional issues, and support bring-up and test activities on target systems.
• Contribute to process and quality improvements to reduce time-to-market and improve hardware/firmware reliability.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, security/eligibility requirements, and practical experience.

• Must-have: Proficient in Verilog for FPGA/logic design and hardware description languages.
• Must-have: Embedded C experience for microcontrollers, including algorithm development and data-structure manipulation with attention to optimization.
• Must-have: Hands-on experience with lab debug tools: logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, JTAG/ICE debuggers, and protocol analyzers.
• Must-have: Experience designing for or targeting Microsemi/Actel FPGAs and use of simulation tools (QuestaSim or equivalent).
• Must-have: US citizenship required (work involves DoD weapon systems).
• Nice-to-have: SystemVerilog verification experience with AVM/VMM/OVM/UVM methodologies.
• Nice-to-have: Experience developing C# code for enhanced Flash microcontrollers.
• Nice-to-have: Prior ASIC/FPGA experience on defense or safety-critical systems.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience; or a graduate degree (Master's) plus a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, a minimum of 10 years of related practical experience is acceptable. Preferred fields include Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or other related technical disciplines.

About the Company

Company: Gables Search Group

Headquarters: Cleveland, OH, USA

A Cleveland-based staffing and recruiting firm founded in 2002 that provides direct hire and contract staffing across industries. Specializes in matching professionals with organizations through personalized recruitment and workforce solutions.