Lead FPGA Engineer

Job Title

Lead FPGA Engineer

Role Summary

Lead the FPGA engineering team responsible for FPGA RTL architecture, development, verification, deployment, and maintenance for rover avionics in Hawthorne, CA. Define system-level digital computing architectures, HW/SW interfaces, and FPGA standards, and ensure delivery of flight-ready FPGA designs.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role combining architecture, RTL implementation, verification, and hardware bring-up across FPGA/SoC platforms.

Experience Level

Senior — requires 10+ years of FPGA RTL architecture and development experience; 2+ years managing direct reports.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include technical leadership, architecture ownership, hands-on RTL development, verification, and leading test campaigns.

• Own and define vehicle system FPGA architectures, standards, practices, processes, and tools.
• Develop system digital computing architectures and define HW/SW interfaces between fabric logic and processing subsystems.
• Lead and manage an FPGA engineering team (3+ people), including mentorship and delivery oversight.
• Design and implement unit-level RTL from blank sheet to flight for Microsemi, Xilinx, or other FPGA/SoC devices using Verilog or VHDL.
• Create and execute verification plans: simulations, test benches, timing analysis, and hardware testing.
• Lead design reviews, maintain requirements traceability, and produce FPGA interface and operation documentation.
• Plan and participate in test campaigns: manual unit tests, automated unit tests, and system-level tests.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience; nice-to-have items listed separately.

• 10+ years in FPGA RTL architecture, development, verification, deployment, and maintenance.
• Experience with Verilog and/or VHDL and FPGA/SoC toolchains for Microsemi, Xilinx, or equivalent vendors.
• Proven experience owning RTL development from blank sheet to flight and performing timing analysis.
• Hands-on verification experience: simulations, test benches, hardware bring-up, and automated testing.
• 2+ years managing direct reports and leading cross-functional engineering activities.
• Strong documentation practices and demonstrated requirements traceability.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with AXI, DDR4, and common bus interfaces.
• SoC integration experience and HW/SW co-design.

Education Requirements

Not specified.

About the Company

Company: DAVRON

DAVRON is a national executive search and recruiting firm specializing in engineering, architecture, construction, and manufacturing sectors. They provide headhunting and direct-hire placement services, recruiter-to-hiring-manager connections, and candidate coaching and interview preparation.