Principal FPGA Engineer

Overview

In this role you will own FPGA and programmable logic design for advanced gimbal payload systems, spanning video processing, sensor interfaces, and real-time pointing. You’ll drive in-house electronics from prototype to production, collaborating closely with software and mechanical teams. You’ll shape verification, timing, and hardware bring-up, delivering reliable, high-performance compute hardware for critical applications. This is a hands-on, impact-focused position in a fast-paced, tech-led defence/aerospace environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead FPGA and SoC design for payload video and control systems (RTL, simulation, synthesis, timing closure, hardware bring-up)
• Develop video processing pipelines (sensor capture, correction, stabilization, overlays, output, metadata)
• Implement real-time interfaces for pointing and stabilization with cross-functional teams
• Take internally developed boards from prototype to qualified production
• Develop verification strategies (testbenches, coverage, hardware-in-the-loop, fault investigation)
• Review schematics, pin assignments, clocking and timing constraints in Altium
• Establish and maintain design standards, coding practices, configuration control, and review processes
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers

Key requirements

• Strong VHDL or SystemVerilog skills
• Experience with major FPGA vendor toolchains
• Experience developing hardware-based video/imaging pipelines
• Experience with systems combining programmable logic and embedded processors
• Practical hardware debugging skills (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analysis)
• Experience interpreting and reviewing schematics in Altium
• Methodical verification approach focused on performance, reliability and quality
• Ability to collaborate across hardware, software and systems engineering teams
• Approximately 10+ years FPGA development experience
• Degree in Electronic Engineering or related discipline

• Collaborative mindset
• Mentorship and technical guidance
• Methodical problem-solving
• VHDL
• SystemVerilog
• FPGA vendor toolchains

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