FPGA Prototyping and Emulation Engineer

Job Title

FPGA Prototyping and Emulation Engineer

Role Summary

Responsible for developing and maintaining FPGA prototypes and emulation platforms to accelerate silicon validation, system bring-up, and early software development. Works with architecture, design, and verification teams to enable pre-silicon and post-silicon debug and system-level validation.

Role sits on the hardware development team and supports large-scale SoC validation, platform bring-up, and cross-functional debug activities.

Experience Level

Senior-level. The role requires substantial hands-on experience with complex SoC prototyping, validation, and hardware/software co-debug; specific years of experience not specified.

Responsibilities

The engineer will build, validate, and debug FPGA prototypes and support emulation and system bring-up across SoC projects.

• Develop and maintain FPGA-based prototypes using Xilinx FPGAs and Synopsys HAPS.
• Perform FPGA synthesis, partitioning, and timing closure for complex SoC designs.
• Drive bring-up and debug of SoC prototypes; capture and analyze waveforms and platform behavior.
• Interface with custom PCBs and semiconductor components for system-level validation and hardware bring-up.
• Integrate and support emulation platforms and collaborate with teams to enable pre-silicon and post-silicon debug.
• Develop and maintain automated regression testing infrastructure and model smoke tests prior to handoff to bring-up teams.
• Use AI-based modeling techniques to create behavioral models of removed modules and maintain quality of models.
• Drive tooling, scripting, and methodology improvements and lead cross-functional validation initiatives.
• Track test execution, validate features, and support production-phase debugging and optimization.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience required for successful performance in this role.

• Hands-on experience with Xilinx FPGA architecture and toolchains.
• Expertise in Verilog/SystemVerilog design and simulation.
• Proficiency with FPGA synthesis and partitioning tools (for example, Synplify, Vivado).
• Experience with Synopsys HAPS prototyping platforms.
• Strong understanding of SoC bring-up, debug methodologies, and waveform analysis.
• Familiarity with PCB bring-up and hardware/software interfacing.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and experience with low-level boot code and firmware development.

Nice-to-have / preferred:

• Experience with emulation platforms such as Synopsys ZeBu, Cadence Palladium/Protium, or Mentor Veloce.
• Understanding of BIOS for system, x86, and ARM cores.
• Knowledge of scripting languages for automation (Python, Tcl, Perl, Ruby).
• Background in semiconductor validation, hardware/software co-debug, and development of very large SoC models (1B+ gates).
• Extensive experience with lab equipment (protocol/logic analyzers, oscilloscopes) and board/platform-level debug and delivery.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills, and ability to work independently.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering (as stated). Equivalent practical experience in related technical fields may be considered if consistent with employer policy.

About the Company

Company: W3global

Canadian recruitment and professional services firm specializing in engineering and technology staffing, connecting hardware, software, and semiconductor talent with employers for contract and permanent placements.