FPGA Engineer IV

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Responsibilities:

We are looking for an experienced FPGA Engineer to join our Instrument Programmable Logic Group in the Electronics, Software, and Microwave Instruments Section within the Instruments Division. This group provides world-class expertise in spaceflight FPGA design while also understanding and contributing to the instrument avionics design and development.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Design FPGAs for spaceflight applications such as instrument command and data handling, instrument subsystem control, onboard data reduction, and interfacing with microprocessors and single-board computers.
• Lead small teams of FPGA, hardware, and software engineers through all phases of instrument computational system development, including initial requirements capture, design definition, implementation, testing, formal verification, delivery, and maintenance.
• Lead small teams to develop and test FPGAs in a mixed hardware/software environment and deliver the product to the next level of integration.
• Follow the JPL FPGA development process and associated assurance process for planning, development, verification, and delivery of spaceflight FPGA products.
  
  

The initial assignment is FPGA lead on SBG VSWIR, is responsible for the development of two Xilinx KU060 FPGA designs instantiated on three devices for an imaging spectrometer. The devices receive multi-gigabit digital data from a pair of imagers. The data goes through several processing steps coordinated across the three devices and is eventually sent to the host over multiple multi-gigabit links. Responsibilities are standard for the FPGA lead role, covering design, V&V, documentation, reviews, iterating design details with the larger electronics and software team, and coordinating the work of another ~1.5 FTEs of FPGA engineers. The project is preparing for PDR.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline with typically a minimum of 9 years of related experience; or a Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 7 years of related experience; or a PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 5 years of related experience
• Broad ranging experience and extensive knowledge in the following areas: digital systems, embedded systems, FPGA development, implementation of data processing and control architectures in a mixed hardware/software environment
• Extensive experience designing and/or verifying FPGAs for high reliability applications (spaceflight applications strongly preferred but other applications considered)
• Extensive experience with Verilog, VHDL, and/or SystemVerilog
• Experience with SystemVerilog (all new designs will require SystemVerilog)
  
  

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Xilinx Kintex UltraScale FPGAs
• Experience with Microsemi RTG4, RTProASIC3, and/or RTAX FPGAs
• Experience with UVM, regression testing, and automated testing for FPGA verification
• Thorough understanding of spaceflight instrument development and testing from component level to system level
• Broad knowledge of industry practices and standards across a range of applications related to systems engineering, hardware engineering, and software engineering.
  
  

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$152,672 - $186,368

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.