What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Firmware/FPGA Engineer - Space Technologies position at AV?
Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
AV seeks a skilled Senior FPGA Engineer to join a multi-disciplinary team within the SpaceTech division. This role focuses on developing high-performance digital systems for electromechanical, electro-optical, control, and communication solutions, utilizing SoC, FPGA, GPP, and microcontroller architectures.
Core Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for end-to-end firmware development and validation for space electronics.
Design & Development
No Clearance
The Salary Range For This Role Is
$112,500 - $159,600
AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
ITAR Requirement
This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR
We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.
Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.
About AV
AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.
We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.
Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.
If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.
ITAR
U.S. Citizenship required
Regular
Job Description
AV seeks a skilled Senior FPGA Engineer to join a multi-disciplinary team within the SpaceTech division. This role focuses on developing high-performance digital systems for electromechanical, electro-optical, control, and communication solutions, utilizing SoC, FPGA, GPP, and microcontroller architectures.
Core Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for end-to-end firmware development and validation for space electronics.
Design & Development
- Architect and implement mission-specific and general-purpose firmware for FPGAs, microcontrollers, and RTOS-based systems.
- Develop and maintain firmware for standard and specialized peripheral interfaces, including:
- Analog-to-Digital (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog (DAC) Converters.
- Serial communication links (e.g., SpaceWire, SPI, CameraLink, 1Gb Ethernet, MIL-1553B).
- Optimize embedded software for radiation-hardened and high-reliability space environments.
- Develop and maintain automated build scripts (TCL) for the FPGA firmware platform.
- Conduct rigorous system integration, testing, and validation of firmware in simulated and real-world aerospace conditions.
- Deploy and verify firmware functionality on physical hardware devices.
- Collaborate closely with hardware and software engineers to ensure seamless system functionality.
- Ensure technical compliance with relevant space industry standards (e.g., NASA, ESA, MIL-STD).
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science.
- FPGA Platforms: Six years of experience using and implementing designs on:
- Xilinx devices (Zynq, Virtex, Kintex) and toolchains (Vivado, ISE).
- Microchip devices (RTAX, ProASIC, RTG4) and toolchains (Libero).
- Experience Level: Six years of experience in embedded systems firmware development, preferably for aerospace or space applications.
- Languages: Six years of experience designing with Hardware Description Languages (VHDL or Verilog).
- Hardware Implementation: Proven experience successfully taking VHDL or Verilog designs from concept to physical hardware implementation.
- Digital Design: Expertise in digital design techniques, including multiple clock-domain management.
- Verification & Debug: Proficient with in-system debuggers and logic analyzers.
- Tooling: Experience with Tool Command Language (TCL) for script automation.
- Physical Design: Experience designing and managing FPGA physical constraints.
- Security: Ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance.
- Embedded Computing: Knowledge of RTOS, bare-metal firmware, and hardware-software co-design principles.
- Verification: Familiarity with modern verification techniques (e.g., linting and constrained random testing).
- Specialized Knowledge: Familiarity with Xilinx SoC devices, FPGA floorplanning, Xilinx System Generator, hardware accelerators, and space communication protocols.
- Additional Languages: Familiarity with C/C , Python, or Java for embedded software or scripting tasks.
- Tooling: Familiarity with alternative synthesis and simulation environments (Synopsys, Aldec).
No Clearance
The Salary Range For This Role Is
$112,500 - $159,600
AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
ITAR Requirement
This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR
- 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.
We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.
Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.
About AV
AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.
We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.
Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.
If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.
ITAR
U.S. Citizenship required
Salary : $112,500 - $159,600