Senior FPGA Engineer

Job Title

Senior FPGA Engineer

Role Summary

Design and develop FPGA-based digital signal processing applications using Xilinx devices for tactical SIGINT/EW systems. Implement signal-processing algorithms, data interfaces, and FPGA-software integration to meet system requirements.

Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and software teams to define architecture, produce detailed designs, perform verification, and support deployment.

Experience Level

Senior — requires 5+ years of related FPGA and RF/SDR experience.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Architect and implement FPGA solutions for wideband RF signal collection and processing systems.
• Design and implement FPGA algorithms for software-defined radio functions (e.g., peak detectors, digital filters, modulation/demodulation, CORDIC, FFT).
• Develop designs for Xilinx Ultrascale/Versal (including RFSOC) devices using VHDL and Vivado toolflows.
• Integrate FPGAs with peripheral devices, processors, and data interfaces.
• Create and maintain design documentation, constraints, simulations, and synthesis reports.
• Debug and verify FPGA-based systems using lab equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators).
• Work cross-functionally with software and hardware teams to deliver system-level functionality.
• Support system bring-up, troubleshooting, and fielding; travel up to 10% as required.

Requirements

Must-have qualifications and clearances:

• Minimum 5+ years of relevant FPGA design experience implementing signal processing or SDR capabilities.
• Practical experience implementing SDR functions on FPGAs (examples: peak detectors, digital filters, modulation/demodulation, CORDIC, FFT).
• Experience with Xilinx Ultrascale and/or Versal families, ideally within an RFSOC architecture.
• VHDL design entry, constraint management, simulation, and synthesis using Xilinx Vivado toolchain.
• Experience debugging FPGA systems with laboratory test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum/network analyzers, signal generators).
• Experience with RF transceiver design across relevant frequency ranges.
• Active Top Secret clearance required; must be U.S. citizen and able to obtain SCI.
• Ability to produce clear technical documentation and to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred / Nice-to-have:

• Experience interfacing FPGAs to ARM processors or microcontrollers.
• C/C++ experience in software or embedded firmware.
• Embedded Linux (SBC) or PetaLinux experience on Xilinx platforms.
• MATLAB experience, especially HDL Coder or Embedded Coder.
• Experience with Altera/Intel FPGAs and Quartus toolchain.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience is stated ("Bachelor's degree or equivalent"). The posting allows equivalent practical experience in lieu of a degree. U.S. citizenship is required for the clearance.

About the Company

Company: CACI International

Headquarters: Arlington, VA, United States

Provides information solutions and services to U.S. government and commercial customers, specializing in intelligence, defense, cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and engineering to support national security, federal civilian agencies, and mission-focused technology programs.