Senior FPGA Engineer II

Job Title

Senior FPGA Engineer II

Role Summary

Senior FPGA Engineer II on Rocket Lab's Optical Systems team responsible for designing and validating FPGA firmware for advanced electro-optical/infrared payloads supporting DoD and Intelligence Community customers.

The role works with hardware and software teams through requirements, implementation, lab bring-up, and test for mission-critical space and ISR systems.

Experience Level

Senior - requires substantial experience; posting specifies a bachelor's degree plus 8+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include design, verification, and integration of FPGA-based systems for EO/IR payloads.

• Collaborate with hardware design team to define and refine FPGA requirements.
• Perform FPGA logic design, coding (VHDL), simulation, and unit/integration testing.
• Support hardware and software teams in system bring-up and lab testing.
• Provide subject-matter expertise on design and automated test procedures to customers and production teams.
• Analyze specifications, datasheets, and manuals to determine design approach and feasibility.
• Debug FPGA designs in the lab and resolve implementation issues.
• Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis for target devices.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and requirements for performing the role.

• Proven FPGA firmware design experience using VHDL.
• Hands-on experience with FPGA synthesis, implementation, timing analysis, and lab debug.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional hardware and software teams during bring-up and test.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Nice-to-have

• Experience with Xilinx/AMD Versal architecture.
• Experience with FPGAs/embedded systems in radiation environments (SEU/SEL mitigation).
• FPGA- or ASIC-based image processing algorithm experience.
• Experience creating and integrating RTL IP and block designs.
• Familiarity with C, Python, or MATLAB and algorithm translation to HDL.
• Experience with software interfaces (interrupts, DMA), DDR4, Aurora, and high-speed transceivers.
• Familiarity with AXI Stream and AXI Memory Mapped interfaces.
• PCB design and schematic capture experience (e.g., Altium Designer).
• Active TS/SCI clearance (preferred).

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline plus 8+ years of relevant experience (as stated). Formal degree in these fields is specified by the posting.

About the Company

Company: Rocket Lab

Headquarters: Long Beach, California, United States

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems, known for its Electron rocket which has been providing reliable access to orbit since 2018. The company supports various space missions such as scientific exploration and Earth observation, and is developing the Neutron rocket for future payloads. With a focus on innovation, Rocket Lab has been instrumental in over 1,700 missions including high-profile projects like the James Webb Space Telescope and NASA's Psyche Mission.