FPGA Engineer III

GROW WITH US AND STAY EXTRAORDINARY:
Launch your career to new heights with Innoflight—one of San Diego’s fastest-growing Aerospace and Defense innovators. Here, visionary minds engineer the future of space technology through pioneering, compact, and cyber-secure solutions. From software-defined radios to cutting-edge cryptographic systems and avionics, everything we build powers the next era of New Space. Join our small, agile, and mission-driven team where your work has real impact and your growth has no limits. We’re not just reaching for the stars—we’re engineering them. Let’s innovate the infinite, together.

A DAY IN THE LIFE:
As an FPGA Engineer III, you will design, develop, and test Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) that power safety-critical logic, sensor integration, optical systems, communication interfaces, and high-performance processing architectures. You’ll play a key role in implementing and optimizing logic designs, integrating FPGA/SoC platforms, and supporting lab validation and troubleshooting for space-based applications. Success in this role requires not only expertise in FPGA development but also in-depth networking protocol knowledge to ensure seamless communication across complex digital systems. You’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver mission-critical solutions that meet stringent performance, reliability, and safety standards.

Applicants must currently hold an ACTIVE U.S. security clearance.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Design & Implement: Develop and optimize RTL/synthesizable FPGA/SoC logic for mission-critical applications.
• Verify: Create HDL testbenches to validate functionality, conduct synthesis, timing analysis, and performance optimization.
• Validate Hardware: Support FPGA bring-up, debug FPGA/SoC interfaces, and perform lab-based validation and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate: Work with hardware, software, and systems engineers to ensure seamless FPGA integration.
• Contribute: Provide input during feasibility studies, design reviews, and documentation of technical findings.
• Refine: Apply and enhance FPGA methodologies including version control, simulation, automation, and best practices.
• Stay Current: Monitor advancements in FPGA technologies and industry standards to evolve design approaches.

YOU’RE AWESOME AT:

• FPGA Development: Skilled in VHDL/Verilog coding, RTL design, verification, and optimization.
• Networking Protocols: Deep understanding of high-speed communication and networking protocols, with proven ability to integrate them into FPGA designs.
• Debugging & Validation: Proficient with simulation tools, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other lab equipment for FPGA/SoC validation.
• Technical Problem Solving: Strong analytical thinker who balances performance, thermal, and power constraints.
• Collaboration & Communication: Effective partner across engineering disciplines with strong verbal and written skills.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience working with complex FPGAs or ASICs.
• 3+ years of experience with VHDL and/or Verilog for FPGA development.
• 3+ years of experience with complex digital designs, including memory interfaces, high-speed communication protocols, or signal processing.
• Hands-on experience in one or more FPGA phases: RTL design, verification, synthesis/implementation, timing closure, or lab bring-up/validation.
• Familiarity with FPGA toolchains (e.g., Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus, ModelSim, QuestaSim)
• In-depth networking protocol knowledge
• Experience with system-on-chip (SoC) architectures and embedded processor integration preferred.
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