Senior FPGA Design Engineer

About Lynk

Lynk is the inventor of satellite direct to device or D2D technology, and has the world's only commercial license from the FCC to operate a commercial D2D system. Today, Lynk allows mobile network operators' subscribers to send and receive text messages to and from space via standard unmodified, mobile devices. Lynk's service has been tested and proven on all seven continents, has regulatory approvals in more than 30 countries, and is currently being deployed commercially based on more than 40 MNO commercial service contracts covering approximately 50 countries.

Our technology will enable all 8 billion people on the planet to stay connected with the existing standard phone in their pocket. Everywhere. No matter what.

By joining Lynk, you will have the opportunity to directly touch the lives of billions. Your mission will be to bring mobile broadband to billions, pull hundreds of millions out of poverty, and save countless lives.

Job Summary

Lynk is developing cellular-based space payloads and seeks engineers with expertise and experience designing and developing custom software-defined radio (SDR) platforms. Aspects of the position require an understanding of FPGA hardware, firmware, digital signal processing, and algorithms for SDR-based satellite communication.

As a Senior FPGA Engineer, you will support the development of custom radio platforms for the primary (cellular service link) and secondary (TT&C / feeder link) communication links. The platform will initially be tested in a lab environment, then on the payload prototype in a lab environment that simulates orbit operations, and finally in space. The Senior FPGA Engineer will also be responsible for designing and implementing methods for ensuring successful testing, verification, and validation.

Core Responsibilities

As a Senior FPGA Engineer, your core responsibilities are as follows:

• Design high-speed FPGA RTL designs for satellite communication systems
• Understand the hardware-based requirements, e.g., FPGA size, speed, clock stability, I/O interfaces, sample rates, dynamic range, and radio chip architecture.
• Design and evaluate digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms for FPGA.
• Update or create host interface software to interact with FPGAs.
• Implement device driver software in C, C++, or other languages for a Linux environment.
• Test and validate hardware blocks both in simulation and on target.
• Develop and maintain documentation and ICDs for in-house IP blocks and other related components.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• At least three years of recent experience working with Xilinx/Altera FPGAs.
• Experience with high-speed interfaces such as JESD204C and PCI Express.
• Experience with RFICs such as Analog Devices AD9371.
• Experience with Linux device drivers.
• Ability to create test benches for system validation and benchmarking.
• Experience using lab equipment for testing and validation.
• Experience with evaluating SDR platforms and specifications.
• Experience with SoC designs such as Xilinx Zynq and Xilinx Versal (preferably with AI Engine) is a plus.
• Knowledge of PHY and MAC layers of cellular standards (e.g., GSM, LTE, 5G) is a plus.

ITAR Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government export control regulations (ITAR), applicants must be one of the following: (i) a U.S. citizen or national, (ii) a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158. Individuals who do not meet these criteria must be eligible to obtain the necessary authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. For more information, please refer to the ITAR guidelines.

Learn about ITAR here.

Job Location

Chantilly, VA