Firmware Engineer Job Listing at SAIC in Crane, IN (Job ID 2610675)

Description

Description

SAIC is seeking an FPGA Firmware Engineer – RF Systems Development to design and implement cutting-edge firmware for advanced receiver (Rx) and transmitter (Tx) systems operating in the microwave frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum. This role supports the development of sea-based and aerospace platforms, leveraging field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to enable high-performance signal processing, system interfaces, and hardware integration. 

The selected individual will play an integral role in implementing Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms, designing high-speed system interfaces, and optimizing embedded architectures for RF systems. This position also involves lab-based hardware integration, testing, and debugging of FPGA-based systems, with a focus on ensuring compliance with stringent operational and environmental requirements, including MIL-STD standards. 

This position supports onsite or collaborative work at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division and provides the opportunity to advance critical aerospace and sea-based RF systems at the forefront of defense technology. 

 FPGA-Based Design of Tx/Rx Systems: 

• Develop and implement FPGA firmware to enable Rx/Tx system operations across the microwave spectrum (1 GHz to 100+ GHz). 
• Utilize VHDL and/or Verilog for FPGA design, including coding, simulation, synthesis, and static timing analysis. 
• Apply DSP algorithms for RF applications, including digital filtering, modulation/demodulation, FFTs, and error correction. 
• Collaborate with RF engineers to ensure FPGA designs are optimized for signal fidelity, low latency, and efficient bandwidth utilization. 

High-Speed Interfaces and System Integration: 

• Design and implement high-speed interfaces for protocols such as PCIe, Ethernet, UART, I²C, SPI, and DDR memory. 
• Integrate FPGA solutions with RF front-end systems, ensuring seamless interaction between digital and analog components. 
• Enable real-time system monitoring and control via FPGA-based architectures, ensuring high reliability in mission-critical scenarios. 

Hardware Bring-Up and Debugging: 

• Perform lab-based system integration of FPGA firmware, employing hardware bring-up methods to validate Tx/Rx functionality. 
• Use equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers to debug firmware-hardware interactions. 
• Troubleshoot and resolve performance issues linked to hardware-software integration and high-speed data flows. 

Testing, Validation, and Compliance: 

• Support system testing and characterization under sea-based and aerospace operating conditions, emphasizing MIL-STD compliance. 
• Develop automated test harnesses using scripting tools (e.g., TCL, Python, Bash) to validate FPGA performance and system interfaces. 
• Assist in ensuring firmware designs meet environmental and operational specifications, including performance during atmospheric reentry. 

Collaboration and Technical Leadership: 

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including RF engineers, hardware engineers, and system architects, to deliver integrated solutions. 
• Lead trade studies evaluating design alternatives, balancing performance against factors such as size, weight, power, and cost. 
• Mentor junior engineers on FPGA development best practices, DSP implementation, and industry-standard design methodologies. 

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field. 
• Five (5) or more years of FPGA firmware engineering experience, with expertise in VHDL/Verilog, simulation tools (e.g., ModelSim/Questasim), synthesis, and static timing analysis. 
• Interim secret clearance required to start with the ability to obtain a Secret Clearance. SAIC will sponsor the clearance process if necessary. 
• Hands-on proficiency in FPGA-based DSP algorithm implementation, including digital filtering, FFTs, and modulation/demodulation techniques. 
• Experience designing and implementing high-speed protocols and interfaces, such as PCIe, Ethernet, SPI, DDR, and I²C. 
• Proven expertise in hardware debugging and integration, utilizing tools like oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, and logic analyzers. 
• Familiarity with scripting languages like TCL, Python, or Bash for automation and test development. 

Preferred Experience: 

• Experience working with aerospace and sea-based systems, with knowledge of MIL-STD compliance requirements. 
• Prior development experience with RF and microwave systems, including integration with RF front-end components. 
• Familiarity with tools for high-speed circuit design and electromagnetic simulation (e.g., HFSS, CST). 
• Experience with FPGA families from vendors like Xilinx, Intel (Altera), and Microsemi, including their embedded IP cores. 
• Certifications in FPGA design, digital systems, or RF engineering are a plus.