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FPGA Engineer – SDR Development
Argotec is an international aerospace company specializing in the production of small satellite platforms (from 6U CubeSats up to >300kg SmallSats) and innovative products to improve the comfort of space explorers. Thanks to its facilities and know-how, the company's activities follow the "all in-house" concept, which includes design, development, integration, qualification and operational services.
Argotec works with leading international space agencies (e.g. NASA, ESA) and private companies, with an increasing focus on commercial partnerships. Our satellites have been selected for flagship missions such as NASA Artemis-1 and NASA DART. The company is advancing several major missions, such as a 40-satellite Earth observation constellation for integration into the Italian IRIDE program, as well as scientific missions such as LUMIO and HENON, and many other cutting-edge space projects.
This posting is for the U.S facility located in the Los Angeles Region, California.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
To conform to U.S. Government international trade regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
As an FPGA Engineer you will develop next-generation SDR communication payloads for future scientific missions, including deep-space, lunar, and Mars communication systems. Your FPGA designs will directly enable high-throughput waveform processing, multi-channel SDR operations, and real-time RF performance in the harsh radiation and thermal environment of space.
In this role in our California team, you will report to the Principal Embedded Systems Engineer. You will work closely with system, RF, hardware, and software engineers in a multidisciplinary environment to implement, integrate, and verify high-performance FPGA designs that support signal processing, data handling, and hardware interfaces for space SDR and telecom systems.
Specific duties include (but are not limited to):
- Develop, implement, and maintain FPGA designs using Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL for space SDR and telecom systems
- Design and integrate digital signal processing (DSP) functions such as filtering, modulation/demodulation, channelization, and rate conversion
- Implement high-speed digital interfaces (e.g., JESD204, LVDS, SPI, I2C, Ethernet, SpaceWire, or similar) and ensure reliable data transfer between FPGA and peripheral devices
- Perform simulation, verification, and documentation of FPGA designs using tools such as QuestaSim, and Vivado Simulator (including testbench development and verification plans and artifacts)
- Support synthesis, place-and-route, timing closure, constraint development, and static timing analysis
- Integrate FPGA designs with embedded processors, firmware, and software; collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to deliver end-to-end system functionality
- Support hardware bring-up, lab validation, debugging, and system-level testing (including RF performance and environmental qualification)
- Analyze and optimize FPGA resource utilization, latency, throughput, and power consumption to meet system requirements
- Operate laboratory instrumentation (e.g., oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers) to support validation and debugging activities
- Develop and maintain design documentation, including requirements traceability matrices, interface control documents, and verification artifacts
- Prepare and present FPGA design details at engineering design reviews (e.g., PDR, CDR)
- Execute assigned tasks independently while coordinating priorities with technical leadership and project schedules
- Support next-generation processor selections and FPGA architecture updates
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
- Team player and a “Do what it takes” attitude
- Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields
- At least 5+ years of experience in FPGA design and development in a professional or research environment
- U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Residency is required
- Proficiency in Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL and experience with FPGA toolchains (e.g., Xilinx Vivado) including synthesis, implementation, and timing closure
- Experience with high-speed digital interfaces (e.g., JESD204, LVDS, Ethernet, SpaceWire, or similar)
- Experience designing and implementing digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms in FPGA or fixed-point implementations
- Understanding of fixed-point arithmetic and numerical effects in FPGA implementations
- Experience with FPGA verification and validation, including simulation, testbench development, and lab bring-up/debug
- Strong understanding of digital design fundamentals, including clock domain crossing, reset strategies, IP integration, and HW/SW interfacing
- Ability to read and interpret system requirements, schematics, and interface specifications
- Strong documentation skills, including design descriptions, interface control documents, and verification reports
- Strong communication and collaboration skills in a multidisciplinary engineering environment
- Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative development workflows
- Ability to work independently with high attention to detail and ownership of assigned tasks while ensuring alignment with team objectives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Analytical mind, as well as a continuous learning attitude
- Excellent written and oral communication in English
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Background in Space or Defense industries will be considered as a plus
- SDR architectures, digital communications systems, and RF signal processing
- Hands-on experience with Xilinx/AMD Kintex UltraScale and/or Microchip ProAsic3 / PolarFire FPGA platforms (major plus)
- High-speed data converter interfaces (ADC/DAC) and JESD204-based systems
- Embedded processing systems (e.g., LEON, MicroBlaze, Zynq, ARM-based SoCs)
- Understanding of radiation effects on digital designs and experience applying mitigation techniques
- Fixed-point modeling and algorithm development in MATLAB or Python
- Hardware/software co-design and system-level integration, including lab validation of RF or high-speed digital systems
- Spaceflight or high-reliability hardware development (aerospace, defense, or similar)
- Space communications and aerospace standards (e.g., CCSDS, ECSS, ETSI, NASA)
- Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability across HW/SW/FW boundaries
ARGOTEC OFFERS
- Annual incentive pay is based upon performance and commensurate with the level of the position
- Generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 100% match up to 8%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, this announcement is aimed at both sexes, under laws 903/77 and 125/91, and to people of all ages and all nationalities, under legislative decrees 215/03 and 216/03. Argotec is committed to fostering an inclusive, accepting, and diverse environment free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
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