Principal FPGA Engineer

Job Title

Principal FPGA Engineer

Role Summary

Senior, hands-on FPGA engineer responsible for leading the design and delivery of FPGA-based modules (VITA/VPX and custom form factors) for defense systems. The role includes architecture, HDL implementation, simulation, prototyping, validation, and mentoring of junior engineers while collaborating with cross-functional teams and customers.

Experience Level

Senior-level. Requires 10+ years of FPGA hardware development experience.

Responsibilities

Lead FPGA projects from concept through production and support sustaining engineering as needed.

• Define FPGA architecture, specifications, and IP block designs.
• Implement RTL (SystemVerilog/Verilog/VHDL), run simulations, synthesis, place-and-route, and generate bitstreams.
• Develop and execute verification plans and hardware validation on prototypes and boards.
• Provide hands-on debugging using lab equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) and perform board bring-up activities.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior FPGA and hardware engineers.
• Participate in project planning, scheduling, resource estimation, and delivery tracking.
• Support environmental testing and transition products into production releases.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, security and leadership expectations; optional skills listed as assets.

• 10+ years of FPGA hardware development experience, including high-speed or embedded applications.
• Strong RTL design and verification skills (SystemVerilog, Verilog, or VHDL); experience with simulation, synthesis, and timing closure.
• Proven problem-solving and debugging skills with hands-on lab experience (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, etc.).
• Experience leading projects or mentoring engineering teams.
• US Citizenship is mandatory; active security clearance is preferred.
• Ability to drive designs from architecture through prototype and production release.
• Nice-to-have: familiarity with Xilinx Vivado/ISE, Zynq MPSoC, Versal, UltraScale+, AMD (Xilinx)/Intel/ Microchip FPGA toolchains, Libero SoC, Quartus, Vivado IP Integrator, TCL/automation scripting, embedded processor design and C, high-speed digital design and signal integrity, and FPGA resource/power estimation tools.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field is required; an advanced degree is a plus.

About the Company

Company: Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions

Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions is a division of Curtiss-Wright that designs and delivers defense and aerospace electronics and embedded computing products, including VPX modules, secure FPGA-based solutions, and system-level components for military platforms and communications.