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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # FPGA System Architect - Electronics Engineer - **Company:** National Radio Astronomy Observatory - **Location:** Charlottesville, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $90,015.0 - $138,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Data Transport Utility, Document Management Systems, Logic Synthesis of Circuits, Embedded Software, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Integrated Development Environments, Data Streaming, Subsystems, Systems Architecture, Systems Integration, Fpga Hardware - **Published:** August 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=0fac7f1e6aa0b1dc ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field * Eight years of experience developing complex FPGA-based digital signal processing systems * Experience leading the architecture, development, integration, and deployment of FPGA-based systems * Experience defining system architectures, subsystem interfaces, and data flows across FPGA processing, embedded software, and external system interfaces * Experience with timing and synchronization concepts for high-throughput FPGA systems Skills and Competencies * Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to coordinate technical efforts across multiple teams * Strong leadership ability and * Attention to detail is critical ## Description The Central Development Laboratory (CDL) at the NRAO is seeking an experienced FPGA System Architect (Electronics Engineer) to join its digital design team. The engineer will lead the technical execution, integration, and deployment of a digital signal processing system for a next-generation radio telescope synthesis array, guiding the system through implementation, design reviews, integration, and operational deployment while supporting requirements refinement as needed. CDL's digital design team develops advanced digital signal processing systems that enable radio astronomy research, supporting scientific studies of galaxy formation, the origins of stars and planets, and black holes. The selected candidate will lead the technical development and execution of FPGA-based systems, with an emphasis on high-throughput digital signal processing, including digitized receiver data acquisition, calibration processing, and frequency channelization. The role combines system-level technical ownership with hands-on FPGA development responsibilities, including RTL development and system integration activities as required. Working within a small, centralized team, the engineer will collaborate across internal groups and provide technical leadership for systems shared with the international scientific community. The role requires strong time management, the ability to manage multiple concurrent efforts, effective cross-disciplinary communication, and the ability to balance system-level ownership with hands-on development responsibilities. The location for this position will be based at the Central Development Laboratory in Charlottesville, Virginia. What You Will be Doing: * Lead the architecture, design, integration, and deployment of the antenna-side FPGA-based digital signal processing system. * Define subsystem decomposition, interfaces, and data flow across FPGA processing elements, embedded software, timing and synchronization systems, digitizers, and external data transport systems * Lead subsystem design reviews and contribute to system-level design reviews * Document system architectures, interfaces, design decisions, and verification approaches Work Environment Work is mission driven, team oriented and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment. ## Related Videos - [Strange New Worlds: shaping the future of the digital age](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/677-strange-new-worlds-shaping-the-future-of-the-digital-age) - [10M Data Records Lost, Underwater Computing, and Psychedelic Fish - Matthias Geniar](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1908-10m-data-records-lost-underwater-computing-and-psychedelic-fish-matthias-geniar) - [Python-Based Data Streaming Pipelines Within Minutes](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1233-python-based-data-streaming-pipelines-within-minutes) - [Quantum Computing for Classical Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1153-quantum-computing-for-classical-developers) - [Develop on Windows, Deploy on Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1600-develop-on-windows-deploy-on-red-hat-enterprise-linux) - [Why and when should we consider Stream Processing frameworks in our solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1085-why-and-when-should-we-consider-stream-processing-frameworks-in-our-solutions) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Software Developer Salary in Austria [2023]](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/213-software-developer-salary-in-austria-2023) - [Why Event-Driven Architecture Isn’t About Speed (and When You Actually Need It)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/745-why-event-driven-architecture-isn-t-about-speed-and-when-you-actually-need-it) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Frontend Developer Salary in Austria [2023]](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/225-frontend-developer-salary-in-austria-2023) - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology)