> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1281833-firmware-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1281833-firmware-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Firmware Engineer - **Company:** ICEYE US, Inc. - **Location:** Irvine, CA, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $145,000.0 - $175,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Adobe InDesign, Systems Engineering, ARM Architecture, Configuration Management, Code Coverage, Computer Engineering, Continuous Integration, Software Debugging, Linux, Programming Tools, Linux on Embedded Systems, Embedded Software, Firmware, Failure Mode Effects Analysis, Formal Verification, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Hardware Description Language, Hardware Design, Signal Processing, System on a Chip, Verilog, VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL), Vivado, Git, Power Analysis (Cryptography), Bare Metal, Data Pipelines - **Published:** July 15, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=12fa8f0de7055760 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field (Master's preferred) * 5-8 years of professional experience designing FPGA firmware in VHDL and/or Verilog * 3+ years of experience with Xilinx (AMD) development tools (Vivado, Vitis, Vivado HLS) * At least 3-5 years demonstrated experience with digital signal processing implementation in FPGA fabric (filtering, FFTs, digital down-conversion, waveform generation) * 3-5 years hands-on experience developing firmware for System-on-Chip (SoC) architectures, including PS-PL integration on Zynq or Zynq UltraScale+ platforms * Working knowledge of high-speed serial interfaces and standard bus protocols., * Experience with Xilinx RFSoC devices (ZU27DR, ZU47DR, or similar), including direct RF sampling ADC/DAC integration * Background in radar or SAR signal processing (pulse compression, range/Doppler processing, beamforming algorithms) * Familiarity with radar waveform design and RF system-level concepts (noise figure, dynamic range, spurious analysis) * Experience in aerospace, defense, or space-qualified hardware development environments * Exposure to formal verification methodologies (UVM, constrained-random testbenches, code coverage analysis) * Experience with embedded Linux and bare-metal firmware development on ARM Cortex-A/R processors within SoC platforms * Familiarity with configuration management practices and version-controlled FPGA release workflows (Git, CI/CD for HDL) * Knowledge of environmental qualification and reliability considerations for FPGA designs (radiation effects, thermal derating, FMEA contributions) * Experience supporting hardware integration and test campaigns, including bench-level debug with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers, This position primarily works in an office environment. It requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time and frequent walking. Daily use of a computer, phone, office equipment and other computing and digital devices is required. Some travel may be necessary - the ability to travel by car, plane, train, bus, vessel, or metro, operate a motor vehicle and maintain a valid Driver's License and/or effectively navigate public transportation is required. While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee must be able to read and respond to inter-office communications as well as effectively participate in meetings. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands or fingers, to lift up to 50 lbs., pull, push, carry, handle, or feel. The employee is required to carry, handle items, reach with arms and hands, to stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk, or hear. Mental demands may require prolonged concentration, reading comprehension, understanding and interpretation of concepts, ideas, and philosophies. The physical demands of the position described herein are essential functions of the job and employees must be able to successfully perform these tasks for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made for those individuals with real or perceived disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job described unless such accommodations would cause ICEYE US an undue burden. ## Description The Firmware Engineer will be a core member of the Space Systems engineering team, responsible for designing, developing, and verifying firmware for radar and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payload electronics. This role directly supports product iterations by owning the FPGA architecture for signal generation, digital signal processing, and hardware-software interfaces within the payload avionics chain. The engineer will work closely with RF, systems, embedded software, and AIT engineers to deliver flight-quality firmware., * Design, implement, and verify FPGA firmware for radar signal generation, digital beamforming, and SAR data processing pipelines * Develop and maintain RTL (VHDL/Verilog) targeting Xilinx RFSoC and UltraScale+ platforms * Architect a modular, reusable FPGA framework that supports multiple product configurations and minimizes NRE for future payload variants * Integrate FPGA firmware with embedded software (Linux/bare-metal) running on SoC processing systems (ARM cores) * Define and implement high-speed digital interfaces between FPGA fabric and RF/analog front-end hardware. * Perform timing closure, resource optimization, and power analysis for flight-grade FPGA builds * Develop and execute FPGA verification strategies including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and integration with flat-sat and EGSE test environments * Collaborate with RF and systems engineers to translate radar waveform and signal processing requirements into FPGA design specifications * Support AIT activities by providing firmware builds, diagnostic modes, and debug support during payload integration and test campaigns * Create and maintain configuration-managed firmware baselines, release documentation, and design descriptions aligned with gated review processes (PDR/CDR/TRR) * Participate in design reviews, trade studies, and technical risk assessments related to FPGA and digital subsystem architecture ## Related Videos - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [More efficient software for more efficient microchips](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1164-more-efficient-software-for-more-efficient-microchips) - [Docker exec without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1094-docker-exec-without-docker) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) - [Unleashing the Full Potential of the Arm Architecture – Write Once, Deploy Anywhere](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/940-unleashing-the-full-potential-of-the-arm-architecture-write-once-deploy-anywhere) ## Related Articles - [Dev Digest 134 - Where pixels sing?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/477-dev-digest-134-where-pixels-sing) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)