FPGA Software Engineer at Cowboyspace — San Carlos, CA

## About the Role

We're looking for an experienced FPGA/RTL engineer to help build the digital backbone of our compute payload — the hard-real-time logic that connects high-speed image sensors to embedded compute. You'll design and own HDL for flight critical sensor interface, high speed data processing for in-orbit and ground communications, and embedded Linux running on ARM SoC's. This is active development on a live flight program with near-term launch milestones: you'll join a small team, take full ownership of workstreams from day one, and see your designs fly.

## Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and verify HDL/RTL in SystemVerilog/Verilog for the compute payload's FPGA subsystems, from architecture through on-orbit operation
• Develop high-speed camera sensor interfaces, including sensor clocking, configuration, register read/write control, and deterministic pixel capture pipelines
• Develop high-throughput communication pipelines for moving compute data from orbit to the ground
• Build memory-mapped register interfaces (AXI) between FPGA logic and embedded Linux running on ARM cores, and define the hardware/software contact with flight software engineers
• Own timing closure, synthesis, and implementation across Zynq UltraScale+ and Versal targets using Vivado and related toolchains
• Develop testbenches and simulation environments to verify designs before hardware, and validate on the bench with logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and protocol analyzers
• Support Petalinux platform bring-up, device tree configuration, and driver-level integration of FPGA peripherals with the embedded Linux stack
• Lead board bring-up and hardware integration for new payload avionics, working closely with electrical and embedded software engineers
• Investigate anomalies spanning the sensor-to-software chain, perform root cause analysis, and drive fixes across hardware/firmware/software boundaries
• Document designs and interfaces, and pair with teammates to spread ownership of the FPGA function across the team
• Contribute to build automation, regression testing, and CI for FPGA development workflows

## Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in FPGA/HDL design, including architecture, verification, synthesis, and timing closure
• Proficiency in SystemVerilog or Verilog for production FPGA development
• Hands-on experience with FPGA + ARM SoC platforms (e.g., Xilinx/AMD Zynq or Zynq UltraScale+) and AMD/Xilinx toolchains (Vivado, Vitis, Petalinux)
• Experience designing high-speed digital interfaces and DDR/DMA-based datapaths
• Experience integrating FPGA logic with embedded software, including memory-mapped register interfaces and driver-level debugging
• Experience developing FPGA platforms for multi-gigabit data pipelines, including integrating error correction techniques to ensure stability.
• Hands-on hardware bring-up and lab debugging experience with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and embedded debug tools
• Demonstrated ability to own open-ended design problems independently and carry them from hardware

## Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline
• Experience in aerospace, defense, semiconductor, or other high-reliability development
• Experience with image sensor interfaces (e.g., MIPI CSI-2, LVDS/SLVS, SubLVDS) or other high-bandwidth sensor front-ends
• Familiarity with Versal ACAP architecture and Quartus toolflows
• Experience with simulation and verification tools such as Questa/ModelSim, Xcelium, or Verilator, and with UVM or other structured verification methodologies
• Proficiency with C/C++, Python, and TCL for bring-up, test automation, and tooling
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing and automated regression of FPGA designs
• Familiarity with fault-tolerant design and radiation effects mitigation (SEU scrubbing, TMR, configuration memory integrity) for space applications
• Experience thriving in fast-paced, high-ownership environments with rapid iteration cycles

### Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $200,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance if applicable
• Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements

• Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants 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. Learn more about ITAR here.

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