Senior Principal FPGA Design Engineer

Job Description The Controls and Avionics Solutions (CAS) business is experiencing unprecedented growth. Our two design centers in Endicott, New York and a new state of the art development center in Austin, Texas are the home for our next generation technical solutions. Engineers will develop flight and mission-critical products for more than 170 commercial and military customers. You will have the opportunity to help design and develop the next generation: Fly-By-Wire Flight Controls, Aircraft Engine Controls, Ground Vehicle Power Management Systems, Aircraft Electrification Systems, Advanced Air Mobility Systems, Autonomous Flight Systems, Flight Deck Systems, Cabin Management Systems, Weapon Control Systems, and Mission Systems for the world's most prominent commercial and military aircraft and vehicle manufacturers.

When you become a member of our team, you will work across multiple disciplines and collaborate with Systems, Hardware, Software, Test, and Operations during all phases of the Product Development Lifecycle. At BAE Systems, we promote a strong, collaborative culture and provide our employees with the tools, skills and training they need to succeed. We are all about trust, camaraderie, and a shared mission on delivering world-class products to our commercial and military customers. We offer a flexible hybrid work environment and 9/80 work schedule. Our company is part of the community and driven to improve our future and protect our freedom.

This role is based in Austin, TX and involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work and will take the form of a hybrid work schedule, with time split between working onsite and remotely.

BAE Systems is seeking experienced FPGA design engineers who are knowledgeable in all aspects of product development. Come be a part of a talented, innovative, and evolving team of FPGA designers working on world class and cutting-edge communications technology. Position Summary
Join our team of Firmware Engineers who are responsible for the architecture, design, implementation, integration, and verification of FPGA-based solutions for flight-critical and engine-control applications. In this position, you will support the development of high-reliability avionics and military electronic systems, leading firmware development activities from requirements definition through verification and certification for complex FPGA-based products.
The successful candidate must possess strong technical aptitude, communication skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally within the hardware organization and with other engineering disciplines/functions. Must be able to exercise discretion and independent judgment in technical areas.
This position may include the following activities:
- Develop FPGA firmware solutions for flight controls, engine controls, and other high-reliability aerospace and defense applications
- Define, analyze, and decompose system and hardware requirements into FPGA firmware requirements and architectures
- Develop conceptual firmware designs and detailed FPGA implementations using VHDL
- Design, implement, and integrate complex digital processing and control functions within FPGA devices
- Develop firmware interfaces utilizing protocols such as PCIe, Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, IEEE-1394b (FireWire), SPI/QuadSPI/OctalSPI, and I²C
- Perform FPGA implementation activities including synthesis, place-and-route, timing analysis, timing closure, and hardware integration
- Develop and execute comprehensive verification plans and procedures in accordance with DO-254 objectives for Design Assurance Level (DAL) A airborne electronic hardware
- Create and maintain simulation environments, test benches, and code coverage analyses to support verification and certification activities
- Perform on-target verification and hardware-based testing to demonstrate compliance with firmware requirements and certification objectives
- Support first unit test, design verification testing, system integration, qualification testing, and transition-to-production activities
- Debug and resolve firmware issues through simulation, laboratory testing, root-cause analysis, and collaboration with system, software, and hardware engineering teams
- Generate certification artifacts and technical documentation including requirements, design descriptions, verification procedures, verification reports, traceability data, and other lifecycle deliverables required for DO-254 compliance
- Interface with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and other supporting functions to drive issue resolution and continuous improvement activities
- Interface with customers, certification authorities, suppliers, and program stakeholders as required
- Mentor peers and junior engineers in FPGA design, verification, and DO-254 development processes
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline, with 12+ years of industry experience, or Master’s Degree and 10+ years of experience
- VHDL proficiency for design entry
- Test bench and simulation expertise with Mentor Graphics QuestaSim
- Experience with standard vendor toolsets (Lattice Radiant, Microchip Libero, etc) in Windows and/or Linux environments
- Lab verification and debugging
- Configuration management tools (Git, BitBucket)
- Architectural experience
- Communicates effectively both orally and in writing
- Motivated individual with strong problem-solving abilities
- Ability to mentor and lead a team of engineers
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- BS in electrical engineering or equivalent and 15+ years of industry experience in Firmware Design, or MS in electrical engineering or equivalent and 13+ years of industry experience in Firmware Design
- Experience in communications protocols, waveforms, and products, especially those common in commercial aerospace and defense applications
- Working knowledge of VHDL
- Experience with latest device technologies (SOC, high speed interfaces, etc.)
- Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills
- Motivated self-starter with leadership skills and ability to effectively work in a team environment - Team Leader
- Excellent problem-solving skills, judgment, and analytical capability with demonstrated design success
- Ability to own the design and close on discrete tasking in a timely manner as well as lead others to closure
- Experience presenting technical information to program teams and/or customers

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc. BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.