RF Systems FPGA Engineer II - Lunar Permanence

Job Title

RF Systems FPGA Engineer II - Lunar Permanence

Role Summary

Design and implement FPGA-based digital signal processing and control logic for RF communications and radar systems used on lunar landers. Work on end-to-end waveform and detection algorithms, translate DSP requirements into synthesizable RTL, and support hardware bring-up and verification.

The role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit developing Blue Moon landers and collaborates with RF, antenna, DSP, hardware, and embedded software engineers.

Experience Level

Mid-level (Engineer II). Minimum 3+ years of relevant experience in FPGA design and/or DSP as stated in the job qualifications.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include architecting, implementing, and validating FPGA-based DSP and interface logic for communications and sensing systems.

• Design and simulate end-to-end systems to meet performance requirements (range, SNR, link budgets).
• Design and validate signal-processing algorithms for detection, tracking, calibration, and parameter estimation.
• Support MATLAB/Simulink modeling and code generation for signal processing and filtering.
• Analyze computational complexity and hardware resource needs (FPGA fabric, memory, I/O bandwidth).
• Optimize FPGA DSP architectures for sensitivity, clutter rejection, and RF calibration.
• Drive device selection with hardware engineers (FPGA, ADC/DAC, DDR3/4, NOR flash, etc.).
• Implement RTL, perform FPGA prototyping, and support hardware bring-up and design verification.
• Execute hardware-in-the-loop, bench-level, and integrated RF testing.
• Participate in requirements, design, test-readiness, qualification, and acceptance reviews.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience.

• 3+ years of FPGA design and/or DSP experience.
• Experience developing and implementing DSP algorithms on FPGAs and/or embedded processors.
• Experience simulating end-to-end systems and computing link budgets.
• Proficient with MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent modeling tools.
• Experience designing and optimizing DSP for radar or other relevant sensors.
• Proficient with high-speed and peripheral interfaces: IEEE 802.3, XAUI, PCIe, JESD204B/C, I2C, SPI.
• Proficient in RTL (SystemVerilog preferred; Verilog/VHDL acceptable) and FPGA design concepts: CDC, constraints, STA, timing closure.
• Experience with FPGA development tools (Xilinx Vivado, Microchip Libero, Synopsys Synplify Pro, Intel Quartus) and simulation tools (ModelSim/QuestaSim or equivalent).
• Experience writing test benches and verification using UVM/OVM, SystemVerilog assertions, and coverage analysis.
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment: oscilloscopes, logic/protocol analyzers, signal generators, power supplies, multimeters.
• Experience with Git or other version-control systems and CI/CD pipelines; strong technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Nice-to-have / preferred skills:

• FMCW or CW radar / LiDAR signal-processing experience.
• Scripting skills (Python, Tcl, Perl).
• Experience with RF sensors, RF test equipment (spectrum/vector signal analyzers/generators, power meters, attenuators).
• Experience with space applications, radiation environment, or formal hardware assurance and configuration-management practices (DO-254 or comparable).

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field is listed as a minimum requirement. A Master of Science in electrical/computer engineering, digital signal processing, mathematics, or a related technical field is listed as preferred.

About the Company

Company: Blue Origin

Headquarters: Kent, Washington, United States

Blue Origin is an American aerospace company developing technologies for spaceflight, including reusable launch vehicles, orbital and suborbital systems, and space infrastructure for commercial and government customers.