ASIC / FPGA Design Engineer (Advanced & Senior Principal Levels)

Job Title:  ASIC / FPGA Design Engineer (Advanced & Senior Principal Levels)

Location: Scottsdale, AZ

Employment Type: Contract to Direct

Industry: Aerospace/Defense

Compensation: $77.27/hour Advance ASIC FGPA Engineer / $114.62/hour Senior Principal ASIC FPGA Engineer

About the Opportunity:

We're seeking ASIC and FPGA Design Engineers at both the Advanced and Senior Principal levels to support the development of next-generation space and defense technologies. These positions are responsible for architecture development, digital design, verification, simulation, implementation, and lifecycle support of complex FPGA and ASIC solutions used in mission-critical systems.

Whether you're a hands-on FPGA designer looking to grow into technical leadership or a seasoned principal engineer ready to define architecture and drive major programs, this opportunity offers the chance to work on cutting-edge technologies supporting national security and space applications.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Work on advanced space, defense, and mission-critical technologies
• Opportunity to contribute across the full ASIC/FPGA development lifecycle
• Collaborate with highly experienced engineering teams on complex technical challenges
• Exposure to advanced digital design, verification, signal processing, and high-speed interface technologies

Why This Opportunity is Exciting:

This role offers the opportunity to shape sophisticated FPGA and ASIC architectures that support critical missions. You'll contribute to highly visible programs while working with advanced technologies, modern toolchains, and multidisciplinary engineering teams that are pushing the boundaries of innovation.

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

Sound like a good fit?

TODAY

What You'll Do:

• Design, develop, verify, and document ASIC and FPGA solutions throughout the product lifecycle
• Define architecture, micro-architecture, interfaces, simulation strategies, and implementation approaches
• Perform RTL development, synthesis, place-and-route, timing analysis, power analysis, and design optimization
• Create and execute verification plans, simulations, and functional testing activities
• Evaluate device technologies, IP cores, vendor capabilities, and development tools
• Support hardware integration, debugging, validation, and system-level testing
• Participate in engineering change activities, design reviews, and technical risk assessments
• Collaborate with systems, hardware, software, and program teams to achieve project objectives
• Support proposal efforts, technical planning, and project execution activities
• Contribute to process improvements, engineering best practices, and innovation initiatives

Job Requirements

What You'll Bring:

Advanced ASIC / FPGA Engineer

• 5+ years of ASIC design, FPGA design, digital hardware engineering, or related engineering experience with a Bachelor's degree, OR 3+ years of experience with a Master's degree
• 3+ years of experience with VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog, or RTL development
• 3+ years of experience with FPGA design flows including synthesis, timing closure, place-and-route, and implementation
• 2+ years of experience developing micro-architectures and detailed hardware designs
• 2+ years of experience using scripting languages such as Tcl, Python, Perl, or related automation tools
• 2+ years of experience supporting FPGA verification, hardware integration, debugging, or validation activities

Senior Principal ASIC / FPGA Engineer

• 10+ years of ASIC design, FPGA design, digital hardware engineering, or related engineering experience with a Bachelor's degree, OR 8+ years of experience with a Master's degree
• 8+ years of experience leading architecture, design, implementation, and verification activities for complex FPGA and ASIC programs
• 5+ years of experience supporting technical leadership, engineering oversight, or large-scale engineering projects
• 5+ years of experience evaluating technologies, managing technical risks, and defining long-term technical approaches
• 3+ years of experience supporting subcontractor management, proposal development, supplier technical oversight, or engineering leadership activities

Required for Both Levels

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline

What Sets You Apart:

• Experience with Xilinx FPGA technologies and tool suites including Vivado and ISE
• Experience with Microchip FPGA devices and Libero
• Experience with Synplify, Precision, or similar synthesis tools
• Experience with QuestaSim, UVM, SystemVerilog Assertions (SVA), and verification methodologies
• Experience with clock-domain crossing tools such as Questa CDC
• Experience with DSP algorithms and digital signal processing architectures
• Experience with high-speed interfaces, memory architectures, and embedded processing systems
• Experience with hardware bring-up and debug using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and embedded debug tools
• Active DoD Secret clearance, TS clearance, or TS/SCI clearance
• Experience leading technical teams or mentoring engineers
• Earned Value Management (EVM), Cost Account Management (CAM), or technical project leadership experience
• Knowledge of AI-assisted engineering, automation, or continuous improvement initiatives

Additional Information:

• Workplace options:
  • Onsite
  • Hybrid/Flex
  • Some positions may support remote arrangements based on program requirements
• Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check and government security screening
• Overtime: May be required to support program milestones and customer deliverables

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Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.