Fpga Engineer

Job Title: FPGA Engineer

Job Description This role focuses on FPGA and embedded systems software development to support the design, development, and integration of innovative optical and laser-based systems. The FPGA Engineer will work closely with senior engineers to create and refine hardware and firmware solutions, contributing to real product development in a small, collaborative engineering environment. U.S. Citizenship is required for this position. Responsibilities

- Assist in the architecture and design of FPGA-based hardware and embedded systems, supporting both hardware and firmware development activities.
- Contribute to the creation and maintenance of engineering documentation, including Requirements Documents, block diagrams, Design Documents, and Interface Control Documents under the guidance of senior engineers.
- Participate in FPGA and embedded software development, implementing designs in Verilog and supporting firmware development in C and C++.
- Support the execution of test plans at various levels of integration to verify system performance, reliability, and compliance with specifications.
- Aid senior engineers in developing detailed Test Plans for FPGA designs and embedded systems to ensure thorough validation.
- Engage in integration and testing activities from initial hardware bring-up through final system validation, helping to identify and resolve issues.
- Perform basic debugging and troubleshooting of FPGA designs, embedded firmware, and system-level issues, escalating complex problems as needed.
- Collaborate effectively with a small engineering team, sharing information, providing status updates, and contributing to design reviews.
- Apply a foundational understanding of hardware/software trade-offs when supporting design decisions and implementation approaches.
- Demonstrate strong adaptability, customer focus, and innovation by contributing ideas and improvements to products and processes.
- Plan and organize tasks to meet project timelines while maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.
- Show interest in laser and optical systems and actively support their integration into FPGA and embedded platforms.

Essential Skills

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Open to recent graduates and early career candidates, including those with up to 7+ years of experience.
- Strong skills in Verilog for FPGA development.
- Experience with FPGA design and hardware development, with the ability to contribute to architecture and implementation.
- Foundational knowledge of embedded systems and firmware development.
- Programming experience or coursework in C and C++.
- Basic debugging and troubleshooting skills for hardware and embedded software.
- Ability to understand and support hardware/software trade-offs in system design.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Demonstrated adaptability, customer focus, and innovation mindset.
- Effective planning, organizing, and problem-solving abilities.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and development of professional and technical knowledge.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Experience with VHDL is beneficial but not mandatory.
- Experience with embedded Linux or real-time operating systems is beneficial but not required.
- Interest in laser systems and optical technologies, with a desire to contribute to real product development.
- Experience with Altera FPGA platforms or similar FPGA hardware is an advantage.
- Background in microcontroller-based design and integration is helpful.
- Ability to contribute in an environment where approximately 70% of the work involves hardware design and 30% involves firmware development.

Work Environment The role is based in a small operation of approximately 15 people, offering a close-knit and collaborative engineering culture. Work is split between office and laboratory settings, with roughly half of the time spent on desk-based design, documentation, and software development, and the other half spent in the lab performing hardware bring-up, integration, and testing. The environment provides hands-on exposure to FPGA hardware, embedded systems, and laser and optical technologies, with opportunities to work directly on real product development in both theoretical and practical contexts.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Horseheads, NY.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $150000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Bonus, PTO, Holiday, 401k, Equity
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Horseheads,NY.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 6, 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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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 [email protected] 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.