Principal FPGA Engineer

Job Title

Principal FPGA Engineer

Role Summary

Lead FPGA architecture, design, verification, and integration for advanced communications and signal-processing products on small multidisciplinary teams based in Clarksburg, MD. Deliver production-ready FPGA implementations and support system-level testing on target hardware.

This role supports mission-critical defense products where robust, well-tested designs are required.

Experience Level

Senior — requires significant FPGA experience (see Education Requirements for degree/experience guidance).

Responsibilities

Primary duties include design, verification, integration, and mentorship.

• Lead FPGA architecture and detailed RTL design.
• Develop and own FPGA code and verification test benches.
• Perform system integration and testing on target platforms and in lab environments.
• Evaluate system functions and performance; troubleshoot hardware/firmware issues.
• Participate in Agile/SCRUM development processes.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers.
• Develop signal-processing and communications-protocol implementations for advanced systems.
• Maintain high professional and ethical standards and comply with company procedures.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, security eligibility, and professional attributes.

• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance.
• Proven FPGA development experience using Verilog and/or VHDL.
• Experience with FPGA toolchains such as ModelSim, Synplify Pro, and vendor tools (Altera/Intel or Xilinx).
• Knowledge of metastability issues and timing analysis.
• Experience with system integration, verification, and lab performance evaluation on target hardware.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and self-motivation; experience mentoring junior engineers preferred.
• Familiarity with Agile/SCRUM processes.
• Nice-to-have: wireless communications theory and MODEM development experience.

Education Requirements

BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering with at least 8 years of relevant FPGA experience, or MS in Electrical Engineering with at least 6 years of FPGA-related experience. Equivalent practical experience may be considered. (Fields referenced: EE, CompE.)

About the Company

Company: Thales Defense & Security

Headquarters: Clarksburg, MD, US

U.S.-based defense contractor headquartered in Clarksburg, MD, providing communications, visualization, signal intelligence/electronic warfare, and sensor/sonar systems for air, land and sea domains. With over 1,000 employees and multiple subsidiaries, the company develops tactical radios, satellite terminals, helmet-mounted displays, advanced radars, undersea sensing and missile systems for U.S. and international military customers.