Lead Design Engineer Embedded/FPGA Systems

Our client is seeking an experienced Lead Design Engineer for Embedded/FPGA Systems to lead the architecture, development, integration, and verification of advanced embedded electronic systems for military, aerospace, industrial, medical, and high-reliability applications.

This role combines deep technical expertise in embedded hardware, FPGA development, firmware architecture, and digital system integration with strong technical leadership and customer-facing communication skills. The ideal candidate will guide projects from concept through production, mentor junior engineers, and support continuous engineering growth.

This position directly supports the growth and technical development of less experienced engineers and plays a key role in delivering innovative, manufacturable, and reliable embedded solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of embedded electronic systems and FPGA-based hardware platforms.

Define system architecture for:

• Embedded processors and microcontrollers
• FPGA and SoC platforms
• High-speed digital interfaces
• Real-time control systems
• Sensor and communication interfaces
• Develop FPGA designs using VHDL and/or Verilog.
• Design embedded firmware and low-level software for real-time systems.

Support board-level digital hardware design, including:

• DDR memory interfaces
• PCIe
• Ethernet
• SPI/I2C/UART
• ADC/DAC interfaces

Perform system integration, timing analysis, debugging, and hardware validation.

Develop and maintain technical documentation, including requirements, design descriptions, test procedures, and verification reports.

Collaborate with analog, RF, mechanical, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams.

Support prototype bring-up, troubleshooting, and production transition activities.

Drive DFM, DFA, reliability, and maintainability improvements.

Interface directly with customers during technical reviews, requirements discussions, and design trade studies.

Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across multiple development programs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in embedded systems and FPGA development.

Strong experience with:

• FPGA design and verification
• Embedded firmware development
• Digital hardware design
• Real-time systems

Proficiency with:

• VHDL and/or Verilog
• Embedded C/C++
• FPGA toolchains such as Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus, or Libero
• Experience with ARM-based processors, SoCs, or microcontroller platforms.
• Familiarity with high-speed digital design and signal integrity considerations.

Experience with lab debug tools, including:

• Oscilloscopes
• Logic analyzers
• Protocol analyzers
• JTAG debuggers

Strong understanding of PCB design constraints and hardware/software integration.

Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

Strong written and verbal communication abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with aerospace, defense, industrial, or medical electronics.

Familiarity with:

• RTOS environments
• Embedded Linux
• DSP implementations
• High-speed serial interfaces

Experience with FPGA-based signal processing or communications systems.

Knowledge of cybersecurity and secure embedded architectures.

Experience with MIL-STD or DO-254 development environments.

Prior technical leadership or project leadership experience.