FPGA IP Software Development Engineer

As an FPGA IP Software Development Engineer, you will play a key role in designing, integrating, validating, and debugging FPGA-based systems for embedded, networking, and acceleration applications. This role is primarily focused on FPGA RTL development and system integration, including PCIe, High-Speed Interfaces (HPS), External Memory Interfaces (EMIF), and Ethernet IPs.

You will work closely with hardware and software teams on FPGA HW/SW co-development, system bring-up, debugging, and optimization of complex FPGA-based products, including SmartNICs, embedded platforms interacting with GPU and ARM HPS-based solutions.

The ideal candidate has strong FPGA design expertise, experience integrating complex IP subsystems, and an interest in collaborating across hardware and software domains., FPGA Design & Integration

• Design, develop, integrate, and validate RTL for FPGA-based systems and platforms.
• Implement and integrate FPGA subsystems various I/0 Technologies (PCIe, EMIF, Ethernet & networking IPs) and on-board ARM Hard Processor Systems (HPS)
• Support FPGA system architecture, performance optimization, and debug activities.

HW/SW Co-Development

• Collaborate with software and application teams on FPGA HW/SW co-design and integration.
• Support board bring-up, system-level validation, and debugging.
• Develop software abstractions, drivers, and frameworks that enable FPGA acceleration solutions.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to optimize end-to-end system performance.

Product Development

• Contribute to development of FPGA-based products including:
• SmartNIC solutions
• Embedded computing platforms (Physical AI/Robotics) with GPU
• ARM-based FPGA systems
• Communication and data center acceleration solutions
• Participate in architecture discussions and technical reviews.
• Support product deployment and customer-facing technical investigations as needed.

Process & Innovation

• Drive continuous improvement in FPGA development, verification, and debug methodologies.
• Evaluate and adopt new tools, flows, and automation techniques.
• Stay current with advancements in FPGA technologies, networking, and embedded systems.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, (Masters strongly preferred) Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in FPGA design and development.
• Strong RTL development experience using Verilog and/or SystemVerilog.
• Experience integrating FPGA IPs such as PCIe, Ethernet, EMIF, and ARM HPS.
• Experience with FPGA system bring-up, validation, and debugging.
• Understanding of FPGA development toolchains and implementation flows.
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced development environment., * Experience with FPGA HW/SW co-development and system-level integration.
• Software development experience in C/C++, Python, or embedded Linux environments.
• Experience developing FPGA-based embedded systems or SmartNIC solutions.
• Familiarity with networking protocols and data center acceleration architectures.
• Experience with FPGA acceleration frameworks and software abstractions.
• Prior research or industry experience in FPGA-based acceleration, embedded systems, communications, robotics, or AI/GPU applications.
• Experience working within a semiconductor or programmable logic environment.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to bridge hardware and software development teams.
• Excellent debugging and root-cause analysis capabilities.
• Self-motivated with a passion for learning new technologies.
• Strong communication and technical documentation skills.
• Interest in co-development environments where hardware and software are developed concurrently.

The pay range below is for Bay Area California only. Actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including job location, job-related knowledge, skills, experiences, trainings, etc. We also offer incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance.

$133.2K - $212.7K USD

We use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for the position. Applicants must be eligible for any required U.S. export authorizations.

Altera is enabling the future of programmable solutions that power innovation across AI, cloud, communications, industrial, aerospace, and defense applications. We are looking for a talented FPGA IP Software Development Engineer to join our engineering team and help develop next-generation FPGA-based platforms and embedded solutions.