Principal FPGA Engineer

Job Title

Principal FPGA Engineer

Role Summary

Lead the architecture, design, verification, and delivery of FPGA solutions for defense electronics across device families (AMD/Xilinx, Intel/Altera, Microchip, Lattice). Work with systems, hardware, and software teams from requirements through production release on RF/EO DSP, controls, data links, and embedded processing applications.

Experience Level

Senior / Principal level — typically requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant FPGA design experience.

Responsibilities

Primary technical and leadership responsibilities for FPGA design, verification, and delivery:

• Design and deliver production-quality FPGA releases from proof-of-concept through production.
• Define FPGA-based system architecture, select parts and interfaces, and translate system requirements into FPGA requirements.
• Develop VHDL code for reliability, maintainability, and reuse; apply timing constraints and achieve timing closure.
• Create and execute verification using directed and constrained-random tests; track functional and code coverage.
• Integrate and debug hardware using scopes, logic analyzers, and related tools; support lab bring-up and system integration.
• Produce complete engineering documentation: requirements, verification plans, user guides, and configuration management artifacts.
• Lead or participate in technical reviews; drive projects to schedule and budget; may lead cross-product teams on multi-year programs.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, clearances, and experience. Preferred items are listed separately.

• Minimum 8 years of prior relevant FPGA design experience, including system-level FPGA architecture for product applications.
• Experience in digital design and HDL coding targeting configurable logic devices (VHDL emphasis).
• Hands-on experience with multiple FPGA vendors and toolflows (examples: AMD/Xilinx, Intel/Altera, Microchip, Lattice).
• Experience with timing constraints, timing closure, and digital simulation tools (e.g., Questa, RivieraPro, or similar).
• Familiarity with industry-standard interfaces and protocols such as AXI, PCIe, SPI, I2C and gigabit serial interfaces.
• Experience with integration and debug using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, and lab hardware.
• Programming experience in Python or C for tooling, test, or firmware integration.
• Experience working with FPGA IP cores and system partitioning between logic and processors.
• Ability to produce and maintain engineering documentation and follow configuration management processes.
• U.S. citizenship is required and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; an active DoD Secret clearance is required and expected from day one.

Education Requirements

Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field. Preferred: MS or Ph.D. in Electrical or Computer Engineering. (Education referenced in the posting: Bachelor's degree in STEM required; MS/PhD in EE/CE preferred.)

Preferred Qualifications

Additional skills and experience that strengthen a candidate's fit:

• Radar and image processing for visual and infrared sensors.
• Gigabit/multi-gigabit transceiver (MGT) experience.
• Embedded processor and SoC development for FPGA devices (MicroBlaze, Nios, ARM).
• Linux-based FPGA development environment, git/GitHub, and hardware verification platforms.
• Knowledge of encryption standards (AES, RSA, ECC) and system-level FPGA requirements specification.
• Leadership experience (team lead, technical lead) and proposal or project-management experience.

Note on Location and Clearance

This is a 100% onsite role based in Huntsville, AL; relocation assistance is available. U.S. citizenship and required security clearance are mandatory.

About the Company

Company: Raytheon Technologies

Headquarters: Arlington, VA, USA

Raytheon Technologies is an Aerospace and Defense company offering advanced systems and services for commercial, military, and government customers worldwide. Formed in 2020 from the merger of Raytheon Company and United Technologies Corporation, it operates through three major business units: Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. The company specializes in delivering cutting-edge solutions across various fields including quantum physics, hypersonics, and cybersecurity.