Senior FPGA RTL and Firmware Development Engineer

Job Title

Senior FPGA RTL and Firmware Development Engineer

Role Summary

Hands‑on technical contributor on the Platform Hardware Board Engineering team responsible for FPGA-based platform solutions. The role covers RTL architecture and implementation, embedded firmware, board bring-up, system validation, and cross-functional debug to deliver development kits and validation platforms for next‑generation Altera FPGA devices.

Experience Level

Senior - requires 10+ years of professional FPGA RTL design and system-level validation experience.

Responsibilities

Deliver and validate FPGA platforms, firmware, and supporting tools across the full development lifecycle.

• Define, architect, implement, and validate FPGA RTL using Verilog and/or VHDL for development kits and validation boards.
• Lead the FPGA development flow: simulation, synthesis, implementation, timing analysis/closure, configuration, and release readiness using Quartus II.
• Develop and maintain embedded firmware in C/C++ for Nios II or similar soft‑core processors and associated peripherals.
• Use Altera Embedded Design Suite (EDS) with Quartus flow to build, debug, integrate, and validate embedded applications.
• Translate system and performance requirements into RTL, register maps, firmware interfaces, and verification strategies.
• Support board bring-up, hardware‑software integration, system initialization, and feature enablement on target platforms.
• Plan and execute simulation, lab validation, stress and interoperability testing, and system‑level debug using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and similar tools.
• Investigate cross-domain issues (RTL, firmware, timing, clock/reset, memory, peripherals) and drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Develop reusable RTL blocks, firmware components, diagnostics, test utilities, and automation to improve efficiency.
• Review technical designs, provide guidance to junior engineers, and document designs, test procedures, and validation results.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and practical experience; preferred items listed separately.

• 10+ years professional experience in FPGA RTL design, implementation, and system-level validation.
• Strong hands-on experience with Verilog and/or VHDL, digital logic design, clock-domain crossing, and reset design.
• Proven experience with Altera Quartus II flow including simulation, synthesis, implementation, timing analysis/closure, and device programming.
• Working knowledge of C and/or C++ for embedded firmware, diagnostics, and hardware‑software integration.
• Experience developing or integrating firmware for Nios II soft-core processors (peripherals, interrupts, MMIO, drivers, BSP).
• Practical use of Altera Embedded Design Suite (EDS) for Nios II software development, build, debug, and integration.
• Demonstrated board bring-up and hardware debugging skills using lab equipment and structured debug methods.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and technical documentation skills; able to work across global cross-functional teams.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline is required; advanced degree is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional skills that are helpful but not required.

• Experience with Nios II system architecture, Platform Designer/Qsys, custom IP, Avalon interfaces, DMA, and memory controllers.
• Experience creating RTL-to-firmware interfaces, register specifications, device drivers, diagnostics, and automated validation tools.
• Knowledge of FPGA configuration and boot flows, JTAG, PCIe, Ethernet, DDR memory, and high-speed serial interfaces.
• Familiarity with SystemVerilog, assertion-based verification, or modern verification techniques.
• Experience with Python, Tcl, or similar scripting for build automation, regression, test execution, and lab automation.
• Experience with version control, continuous integration, code review, issue tracking, and disciplined release processes.
• Experience leading technical reviews, mentoring engineers, and coordinating cross-functional debug and risk communication.

About the Company

Company: Altera

Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Altera provides leadership programmable solutions for applications ranging from cloud to edge, unveiling limitless AI possibilities. Their extensive product portfolio includes FPGAs, CPLDs, Intellectual Property, development tools, and System on Modules aimed at accelerating innovation in various fields.