Firmware Engineer

This role focuses on developing advanced FPGA-based firmware for cutting-edge electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) systems that support space domain awareness and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. You will design, implement, and verify complex VHDL-based firmware, collaborate closely with hardware and software teams, and help deliver high-performance payload solutions for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. The position offers the opportunity to work on systems that operate in space, processing data at the point of collection to deliver highly optimized results to customers.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the hardware design team to define and refine firmware requirements and ensure seamless integration between hardware and FPGA designs.
• Complete FPGA logic design, including architecture definition, VHDL coding, simulation, and unit- and system-level testing.
• Support hardware and software development teams during board bring-up, integration, and testing of new products.
• Provide subject-matter expertise on FPGA design, automated test development, and best practices to internal teams and production support.
• Perform research and analysis of customer specifications, datasheets, and technical manuals to determine design approaches, assess feasibility, and propose solutions.
• Execute debugging and troubleshooting of FPGA designs in the lab, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis to ensure FPGA designs meet performance, resource, and timing requirements.
• Implement both hand-coded and AI-assisted VHDL designs, ensuring code quality, reliability, and maintainability.
• Contribute to the development and integration of FPGA-based image processing algorithms for EO/IR systems.
• Integrate and verify high-speed interfaces such as DDR4, Aurora, AXI Stream, and other multi-gigabit transceiver links.
• Collaborate with software engineers to define and implement software interfaces, including interrupts, DMA, and communication protocols.
• Support designs intended for radiation environments by considering SEU/SEL impacts and contributing to mitigation strategies.
• Participate in the creation and integration of custom IP cores and the incorporation of existing IP into RTL and block designs.
• Assist in PCB design reviews and collaborate with teams using schematic capture and layout tools to ensure firmware-hardware compatibility.

• At least 8 years of professional, full-time firmware engineering experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or an equivalent field.
• At least 8 years of experience in FPGA firmware design using VHDL.
• At least 3 years of professional experience with hand-coded implementation and AI-assisted implementation in VHDL.
• Strong experience with FPGA-based development, including logic design, simulation, and verification.
• Proficiency in performing synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis for FPGA designs.
• Experience working with software interfaces and integrating firmware with broader system architectures.
• Ability to analyze customer specifications, datasheets, and technical documentation to determine design feasibility and approach.
• Hands-on experience debugging FPGA designs in a lab environment.

• Experience with Linux development or strong familiarity with Linux-based environments.
• Experience working in Yocto environments and with interfaces such as RS‑422/RS‑485, I²C, SPI, Ethernet/GigE, TCP/IP, UDP, and CAN.
• Experience with high-speed interfaces such as DDR or multi-gigabit transceivers.
• Experience with Xilinx/AMD Versal architecture or similar advanced FPGA platforms.
• Experience designing FPGAs and embedded systems for radiation environments, including understanding SEU/SEL impacts and mitigation techniques.
• Experience with FPGA- or ASIC-based image processing algorithms, particularly for EO/IR applications.
• Experience creating IP from scratch in RTL and integrating existing IP into RTL and block designs.
• Familiarity with C, Python, or MATLAB, and experience translating algorithms from scripted languages into HDL.
• Experience with software interfaces including interrupts and DMA-based data movement.
• Experience with DDR4, Aurora, and high-speed transceiver design and verification.
• Familiarity with AXI Stream and AXI Memory Mapped interfaces.
• Experience with PCB design, schematic capture, and layout using tools such as Altium Designer.
• Interest in or experience with space domain awareness, including systems that operate on satellites or other space-based platforms.
• Strong collaboration skills and a desire to learn from and contribute to a multidisciplinary team of experts.

This is a fully remote position, offering flexibility in work location while contributing to mission-critical space and ISR programs. You will collaborate with a distributed team of highly skilled professionals who share knowledge and support each other to achieve complex technical and mission objectives. The work centers on advanced optical and EO/IR systems for space domain awareness, including payloads that operate in space and perform on-board processing where data is collected. You will work with modern FPGA technologies such as Xilinx platforms, high-speed digital interfaces, and Linux-based development environments. The culture emphasizes continuous learning, technical excellence, and close teamwork, with opportunities to work on systems that are deployed in space and directly support critical missions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Tucson, AZ.

The pay range for this position is $73.00 - $97.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully remote position.

This position is anticipated to close on May 21, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $73 - $97