Digital Hardware Engineer

The hiring team for this opening supports the Department of Defense (DoD) in the design and development of advanced testbed systems and components that facilitate data collection for ballistic missile defense testing.

Key activities include system concept development for RF and optical systems, modeling and simulation, signal processing algorithm design, RF and optical hardware development, experimental field testing, data analysis, and the creation of specialized operational and experimental test assets. Core technical expertise spans adaptive sensor array processing for radar and communications systems, advanced real-time software methodologies, signal detection and estimation, communications, and systems analysis.

A Digital Hardware Engineer is needed to design and develop digital hardware and firmware supporting advanced RADAR systems. The engineer will design, implement, and validate advanced digital systems with an emphasis on FPGA-based development. Responsibilities include translating functional or algorithmic specifications into optimized HDL architectures, performing simulation and verification, and integrating these designs into prototype and production hardware systems. This role requires expertise in high-speed digital design and hands-on experience bringing FPGA implementations into working hardware.

In addition to digital design, the engineer will develop and test supporting hardware such as power distribution, digital control, and other PCB assemblies. Responsibilities include building and refining prototypes, diagnosing and resolving defects, overseeing hardware integration, and maintaining detailed design documentation. The ideal candidate has strong FPGA/HDL skills, experience with hardware design tools, and the ability to evaluate, iterate, and improve both digital and physical system performance.

• 5+ years of relevant design experience including hands-on radar systems design, system realization, and field testing of HF and microwave radar systems
• Strong knowledge of VHDL/Verilog, Vivado/ISE, ISIM, EDK, System Generator, and third-party IP integration
• Experience developing VHDL/Verilog test benches for functional and timing simulation
• Detailed PCB design and bring-up experience using Mentor Graphics and/or Altium
• Experience using RF test equipment including signal generators, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
• Experience working in Windows and Linux environments, including TCL scripting
• Familiarity with digital receiver design, including direct-detect (RF sampling) receiver architectures
• Proficiency with MATLAB
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to effectively communicate technical results to colleagues, sponsors, and external partners
• Knowledge of radar timing and basic signal processing
• Experience with RF converters
• Xilinx FPGA development and testing in embedded environments
• PCB design, schematic capture, component selection, and simulation using Altium and/or Mentor Graphics
• Strong understanding of analog and digital components, including ADC and DAC performance considerations
• Experience with hardware interfaces and communications protocols including PCIe, I2C, LVDS, and serial data over fiber optics
• Software development experience in C/C++
• Willingness and ability to participate in field experiments and data collection efforts, including occasional travel, FPGA, PCB, high-speed, Xilinx, radar systems, VHDL/Verilog

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