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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for FPGA Designer

💰 $110,000 - $185,000+

Hardware EngineeringFPGA DesignElectronics EngineeringSemiconductorRTL Design

🎯 Role Definition

Are you ready to shape the future of high-performance computing and embedded systems? This role requires an experienced FPGA Designer to take a central role in the entire lifecycle of our product development, from initial concept and architecture to final hardware validation. You will be responsible for translating complex system requirements into robust, efficient, and scalable RTL code. This position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including software, systems, and PCB design, to deliver state-of-the-art solutions in industries like telecommunications, aerospace, or high-speed data acquisition. If you thrive on solving challenging technical problems and want to see your designs come to life in next-generation technology, this is the opportunity for you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Digital Design Engineer
  • Electronics Engineer
  • Verification Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Senior or Principal FPGA Designer
  • Hardware Architect
  • Hardware Engineering Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • ASIC Design Engineer
  • Systems Engineer
  • Embedded Software Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Architect, design, and implement complex digital logic for high-performance FPGAs and SoCs using hardware description languages (VHDL, Verilog, and/or SystemVerilog).
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive RTL-level simulation testbenches, verification components, and functional coverage models to ensure first-pass design success.
  • Drive the complete FPGA implementation workflow, including synthesis, placement and routing (P&R), and performing static timing analysis (STA) to achieve timing closure on challenging, high-speed designs.
  • Design and integrate complex IP cores, including high-speed serial transceivers (PCIe, Ethernet), memory controllers (DDR4/5), and custom DSP data paths.
  • Perform detailed floorplanning and constraint generation to meet critical performance, power, and area targets for the FPGA design.
  • Lead and participate in formal design reviews and code inspections to ensure high-quality, maintainable, and reusable RTL.
  • Debug complex hardware/software interaction issues on the target platform by working closely with software and systems teams during bring-up and validation phases.
  • Create and execute robust validation plans in a lab environment using test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.
  • Optimize logic for specific FPGA architectures (e.g., Xilinx UltraScale+, Intel Agilex) to maximize performance and resource utilization.
  • Develop and maintain thorough design documentation, including micro-architecture specifications, verification strategies, and timing closure reports.
  • Implement complex clocking schemes and manage multi-clock domain crossings using industry-standard synchronization techniques to ensure design stability.
  • Define and implement digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms in hardware, optimizing for throughput, latency, and resource usage.
  • Interface with third-party IP vendors to evaluate, select, and integrate external intellectual property into the system design.
  • Develop and maintain Tcl, Python, or Perl scripts to automate the FPGA build, verification, and data analysis processes.
  • Contribute to system-level architectural discussions, providing expert guidance on hardware/software partitioning and FPGA technology selection.
  • Evaluate and adopt new design methodologies, tools, and industry best practices to continuously improve team productivity and design quality.

Secondary Functions

  • Support PCB design teams by providing pin-out constraints, power estimations, and signal integrity guidance related to the FPGA.
  • Assist in the development and characterization of bring-up diagnostics and manufacturing test routines for the hardware.
  • Mentor junior engineers, providing technical guidance on digital design principles, tool usage, and verification techniques.
  • Collaborate with the project management team to provide effort estimations, create project schedules, and report on progress.
  • Stay current with the latest advancements in FPGA technology, semiconductor trends, and emerging high-speed interface standards.
  • Participate in customer-facing discussions to help define requirements and provide technical support for FPGA-related inquiries.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep proficiency in at least one hardware description language: VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
  • Extensive hands-on experience with major FPGA vendor toolchains, such as Xilinx Vivado/Vitis or Intel/Altera Quartus Prime.
  • Strong practical experience with RTL simulation and verification tools like Siemens/Mentor ModelSim/QuestaSim or Synopsys VCS.
  • Proven ability to perform static timing analysis (STA) and achieve timing closure on complex, high-frequency designs.
  • Solid understanding of digital logic fundamentals, computer architecture, and synchronous/asynchronous design principles.
  • Experience designing and integrating high-speed interfaces like PCIe, 10G/40G/100G Ethernet, JESD204B, or DDR3/4 memory controllers.
  • Proficiency in scripting languages such as Tcl, Python, or Perl for automation and flow management.
  • Hands-on experience with lab bring-up and debugging using test equipment like high-speed oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG debuggers.
  • Knowledge of version control systems, particularly Git.
  • Familiarity with AXI bus protocol and creating custom IP for SoC platforms (e.g., Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC).
  • Experience with DSP algorithm implementation (FIR filters, FFTs) in an FPGA context.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a knack for debugging complex, system-level issues.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and concisely.
  • Excellent collaboration and teamwork abilities to work effectively in a cross-functional engineering environment.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and a strong sense of ownership and commitment to quality.
  • Self-motivated and able to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant technical field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree or Ph.D. in a relevant technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-10+ years of professional experience in FPGA or ASIC design and verification.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a specific application domain such as telecommunications, defense/aerospace, medical devices, high-frequency trading, or video processing.
  • A proven track record of taking multiple complex designs from concept through to production.
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