Sr. FPGA Firmware Developer

Job Title

Sr. FPGA Firmware Developer

Role Summary

Join the COMSEC team within Core Systems and Components to design, implement, and verify FPGA firmware for secure communications systems used in spaceflight hardware. You will collaborate with electrical hardware and systems engineering teams across development, integration, and test.

Experience Level

Senior — typically requires 10+ years of FPGA firmware development experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include firmware design, verification, and support for hardware integration and testing.

• Design, develop, simulate, and verify FPGA firmware for COMSEC applications.
• Perform FPGA synthesis, place-and-route, and timing analysis.
• Define and document firmware architecture, requirements, and interfaces.
• Support hardware bring-up, integration, and lab/field testing.
• Troubleshoot and debug firmware issues in lab and field environments.
• Collaborate with circuit designers and embedded developers throughout the development lifecycle.
• Contribute to design reviews and technical documentation.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, security and experience requirements.

Must-have:

• 10+ years of FPGA firmware development experience.
• Proficiency in VHDL and/or Verilog/SystemVerilog.
• Experience with FPGA toolchains (for example Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus).
• Strong understanding of digital design principles, timing constraints, and verification methodologies.
• Working knowledge of AXI bus implementations.
• Experience working with hardware design teams and interpreting schematics.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Nice-to-have:

• Active Top Secret clearance.
• Experience in COMSEC, cryptographic systems, or secure communications.
• Familiarity with zero-trust security principles.
• Experience with high-speed serial interfaces (PCIe, SpaceWire, Ethernet).
• Experience with DO-254 or hardware development assurance standards.
• Knowledge of embedded systems and hardware/firmware co-design.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

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.