FPGA Firmware Engineer

FPGA Firmware Engineer

Fifth Gait Technologies is seeking an FPGA Firmware Engineer to support hardware development for radiation effects testing of microelectronics and complex electrical systems supporting advanced aerospace, defense, and high-reliability applications. This is an opportunity to work on meaningful, technically complex projects while being part of a collaborative and supportive engineering team.

In this role, you will help design and develop FPGA-based solutions used in radiation effects experiments, custom instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and advanced test platforms. You'll work closely with electrical engineers, software developers, physicists, and test engineers in an environment that values teamwork, curiosity, and knowledge sharing.

We recognize that great engineers come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where collaboration, mentorship, and diverse perspectives are valued. If you are excited about the role but do not meet every qualification listed, we still encourage you to apply.

This position offers the chance to build specialized expertise at the intersection of firmware, hardware, and advanced electronics while working on programs that have real-world impact.

Fifth Gait Technologies is a minority woman-owned small business founded in 2007 that specializes in radiation effects, survivability engineering, and advanced electronics and sensor system solutions for defense, aerospace, and energy applications. The company supports government agencies, prime contractors, and commercial partners by developing and testing resilient microelectronics, electro-optical systems, sensors, and embedded technologies designed to operate in extreme nuclear and space radiation environments.

At our facility in Colorado Springs, Fifth Gait brings together engineers and scientists with expertise in radiation effects on electronics and circuits, electro-optical and infrared sensor systems, detector technologies, and materials. Our team develops and executes complex test programs to evaluate performance, reliability, and survivability in harsh operational environments.

The team at Fifth Gait is known for solving technical problems that require innovation across electrical, mechanical, software, and physics disciplines.

Candidates should have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field and 0 to 10 years of experience. U.S. citizenship able to obtain a government security clearance is required.

Responsibilities include developing FPGA/microcontroller firmware and participating in custom board bring-up, supporting test engineers in radiation effects testing of complex microelectronic devices at both on-site and off-site radiation test facilities, participating in schematic and layout reviews, and data collection and analysis.

Desired experience/skills include strong experience in FPGA development, proficiency in FPGA dev tools Vivado and/or Libero, proficiency in HDL programming (VHDL and/or Verilog), basic programming with Python and embedded C/C++, embedded systems design, analysis, and testing/debug, ability to read and interpret schematics and board layouts, solid understanding of low-level communication protocols, multi gigabit transceivers, complex/high-speed communication protocols, memory module bring-up (i.e. flash, DDR, etc.), familiarity with high-speed ADC/DAC a plus, and working experience with radiation test facilities and/or nuclear physics a plus.