Senior FPGA Engineer

Job Title

Senior FPGA Engineer

Role Summary

Senior engineer on MITRE’s Electronic Systems Development team designing and implementing FPGA/ASIC components and embedded hardware prototypes for government research projects. Work focuses on rapid prototyping of real-time communication, sensor, and high-throughput signal-processing systems on modern reconfigurable platforms.

Experience Level

Senior. Typical experience guidance from the posting: minimum ~5 years related experience (see Education Requirements for degree/experience combinations). This role expects hands-on FPGA/ASIC design and embedded system prototyping.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include development, integration, and verification of FPGA/ASIC-based subsystems for prototype platforms.

• Design and develop FPGA/ASIC components and integrate third-party IP into custom systems.
• Implement algorithms across software and hardware on embedded platforms (HW/SW partitioning).
• Perform RTL development, synthesis, simulation, and verification activities.
• Support architecture, implementation, test, documentation, and version control for digital designs.
• Work in cross-disciplinary teams to deliver proof-of-concept and prototype systems for mission customers.
• Contribute to deployment, test, and fielding activities for embedded solutions.

Requirements

Must-have skills, security, and work-location expectations.

• Minimum experience: typically 5+ years related experience (see Education Requirements for degree/experience combinations).
• Proficiency in RTL languages (VHDL, Verilog/SystemVerilog) and RTL synthesis/simulation toolflows.
• Experience implementing complex embedded systems and integrating processor interfaces (memory-mapped peripherals, interrupts).
• Familiarity with design verification, test, and deployment best practices.
• Experience integrating third-party IP and working with SoC platforms.
• Strong programming and scripting ability for automation and tooling (Python, TCL, CMake or similar).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• U.S. citizenship required for security-clearance eligibility; must be capable of obtaining and maintaining a DoD Secret clearance.
• Position requires a minimum of four days per week onsite at the Bedford, MA location.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with AMD Xilinx MPSoC/RFSoC/Versal or Intel Agilex SoC platforms.
• Experience across all phases of digital design including timing closure and place & route; familiarity with EDA ASIC tool flows and leading foundries.
• Verification methodology experience (UVM/OVM) and exposure to hardware emulation platforms (Cadence Palladium, Siemens Veloce).
• Signal-processing background and MATLAB exposure.

Education Requirements

Posting states degree/experience combinations: Bachelor's degree (typically with ≥5 years related experience), Master's degree (typically with ≥3 years related experience), or PhD with relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. Preferred fields: Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar technical disciplines.

About the Company

Company: MITRE

Headquarters: Bedford, Massachusetts, United States

MITRE is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to solving national challenges in defense, cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, and more. By partnering with the government, MITRE operates R&D centers that develop innovative solutions for public interest. Known for its culture of innovation, it offers exceptional employee benefits, professional growth opportunities, and diversity initiatives to ensure a fulfilling workplace for its staff.