Project Engineer II – FPGA Lead & Design Engineer

Job Title

Project Engineer II – FPGA Lead & Design Engineer

Role Summary

Lead technical and programmatic execution for FPGA SoC development on space, aerospace, and ground systems. Serve as the technical lead and project lead, balancing architecture, implementation, verification, cost, and schedule across cross-functional teams.

Work within the Engineering, Science and Analysis Strategic Capabilities Unit to deliver flight-qualified, radiation-tolerant FPGA-based systems.

Experience Level

Senior-level role. Requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

Accountable for leading an FPGA development team through architecture, design, verification, and delivery while managing program cost and schedule.

• Act as Scrum Master: facilitate stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives; manage backlog and sprint metrics (Jira).
• Translate system requirements into user stories and tasks; manage sprint velocity and burndown tracking.
• Provide programmatic oversight: earned value reporting, risk-based decisions, cost and schedule management.
• Lead cross-functional integration with electrical, mechanical, parts & reliability, radiation, and test/production engineers.
• Architect and review complex FPGA SoC designs using AMD/Xilinx toolchains and IP, including digital filters, image processing, and communications protocols.
• Oversee verification, qualification, and screening processes for flight-space-qualified electronics.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers in VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog and SoC implementation practices.
• Maintain predictable work schedule and effective working relationships across teams and stakeholders.

Requirements

Must-have technical, programmatic, and eligibility requirements; preferred skills listed separately.

• Minimum 8 years of related experience in electronic systems development and leading electronics development teams.
• Proven domain experience in spaceflight electronics, radiation-hardened design, and EEE parts for space applications.
• Demonstrated experience managing cost, schedule, and subcontract/staffing activities on engineering projects.
• Practical experience with high-speed digital electronics and embedded processor systems.
• Ability to work on-site three or more days per week in the primary work location; travel <10%.
• U.S. Person and U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain security clearance when required.

Nice-to-have

• Experience serving as Scrum Master or Agile lead and administering Jira for engineering teams.
• Experience with verification methodologies, cost/schedule reporting tools, and cross-disciplinary integration on aerospace programs.

Education Requirements

BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field required. Master’s degree or Ph.D. may substitute for two years of experience per degree. Related technical experience may be accepted in lieu of formal education. Degree must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

About the Company

Company: BAE Systems

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

Global defense, aerospace and security company delivering products and services for air, land and naval forces, advanced electronics, cyber and intelligence solutions, and space and mission systems for government and commercial customers.