Firmware Engineer

As a Sr Firmware Engineer II, you will design and develop advanced FPGA-based firmware in VHDL to support cutting-edge electro-optical and infrared space payloads. You will collaborate closely with hardware and software teams to define requirements, implement and test FPGA logic, and ensure reliable operation in demanding space and radiation environments. This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to mission-critical space domain awareness and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems using the latest FPGA technologies, including Xilinx devices, in a fully remote setting., * Collaborate with the hardware design team to understand and refine system and FPGA requirements.

• Complete FPGA logic design, coding, simulation, and verification in VHDL.
• Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis to ensure robust, high-performance FPGA designs.
• Support hardware and software development teams during product bring-up, integration, and testing.
• Provide subject-matter expertise on FPGA design practices and automated test development procedures to internal teams and customers.
• Conduct research and analysis of customer specifications, datasheets, and technical manuals to determine design approaches and feasibility.
• Execute debugging and validation of FPGA designs in the lab and in relevant test environments.
• Develop and refine software interfaces for FPGA designs, including interrupts and DMA-based data transfers.
• Contribute to the development and optimization of FPGA-based image processing algorithms for space-based payloads.
• Design and verify high-speed interfaces such as DDR4, Aurora, and multi-gigabit transceivers.
• Create new IP cores from scratch and integrate them with existing FPGA architectures and AXI-based interfaces.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address radiation environment challenges, including SEU/SEL impact analysis and mitigation strategies.
• Support PCB design activities by providing input on FPGA-related schematic capture, layout, and signal integrity considerations.
• Participate in continuous learning and knowledge sharing with a multidisciplinary team focused on achieving complex mission objectives in space domain awareness., This position is fully remote, offering flexibility in where you work while contributing to advanced space-based optical and sensing systems. You will collaborate virtually with a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team where everyone brings deep expertise and continuously learns from one another to achieve complex mission goals. The work focuses on space domain awareness and ISR payloads, including on-board processing of electro-optical and infrared data to deliver high-value information from telescopes and satellites. You will use modern development tools and technologies such as Xilinx FPGAs, VHDL, Linux and Yocto environments, high-speed interfaces like DDR4 and Aurora, and PCB design tools such as Altium Designer. Periodic travel of up to approximately two weeks per quarter may be required for on-site integration, testing, or team collaboration. The culture emphasizes technical excellence, shared problem-solving, and a strong sense of purpose in supporting critical space missions.

• At least 8 years of professional, full-time experience in firmware engineering.
• At least 8 years of experience in FPGA firmware design using VHDL.
• Bachelors degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline.
• Strong proficiency in FPGA-based development in VHDL, including coding, simulation, and testing.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience with hand-coded FPGA implementation.
• Exposure to AI-assisted implementation techniques in VHDL.
• Experience with synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis for FPGA designs.
• Ability to debug complex FPGA designs in lab environments.
• Familiarity with software interfaces for FPGA designs, including interrupts and DMA.
• Understanding of high-speed memory and transceiver interfaces such as DDR4 and Aurora.
• Knowledge of hardware and software integration practices for FPGA-based systems.
• Ability to analyze technical specifications, datasheets, and manuals to inform design decisions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Linux development or strong familiarity with Linux-based environments.
• Experience working in Yocto-based embedded Linux environments.
• Knowledge of communication interfaces such as RS422/RS485, I²C, SPI, Ethernet/GigE, TCP/IP, UDP, and CAN.
• Experience with high-speed interfaces including DDR and multi-gigabit transceivers.
• Hands-on experience with Xilinx/AMD Versal FPGA architectures.
• Experience designing FPGAs and embedded systems for radiation environments, including understanding SEU/SEL impacts and mitigation techniques.
• Experience in FPGA-based image processing algorithms, particularly for space or optical systems.
• Proven ability to create FPGA IP cores from scratch and integrate them into complex systems.
• Familiarity with C, C++, Python, or MATLAB, and experience translating algorithms from scripted languages into HDL implementations.
• Experience with AXI Stream and AXI Memory Mapped interfaces for data movement and system integration.
• Experience in PCB design, schematic capture, and layout using tools such as Altium Designer.
• Interest in space domain awareness and optical systems, including on-board processing of sensor data to deliver optimized results to customers.
• Strong collaborative mindset and willingness to learn from and share knowledge with experts across hardware, firmware, and software disciplines.

This is a Contract position based out of Centennial, CO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $73.00 - $97.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.