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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Digital/Embedded Firmware Engineer - **Company:** Leidos, Inc. - **Location:** Redington Beach, FL, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $107,900.0 - $195,050.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Altium Designer, ARM Architecture, Boolean Algebra, C++ (Programming Language), Configuration Management, Computer Engineering, Digital Arts, Logic Synthesis of Circuits, Embedded C, Linux on Embedded Systems, Embedded Software, Ethernet, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), FreeRTOS, Hardware Description Language, Hardware Design, Python (Programming Language), LabVIEW, MATLAB, OrCAD, PCI Express, Software Architecture, Real-Time Operating Systems, Software Tools, Powerpc, Reduced Instruction Set Computing, Schematic Capture, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Subsystems, System on a Chip, Systems Integration, Verilog, VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL), CPLD, Vivado, PIC Microcontroller, Real Time Systems, Fpga Hardware, ModelSim, SC Clearance, Bare Metal, Hardware Debugging - **Published:** October 5, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=36a7346e7ff03bfc ## About the Role The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in FPGA-based digital design and hands-on experience with integrating hardware and firmware within complex embedded systems. This individual will have a demonstrated track record supporting defense programs across the full product lifecycle-from requirements development and architectural design through integration, qualification testing, and transition to production., * U.S. Citizen required. * Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance. * Active Secret clearance preferred. * Ability to obtain Top Secret clearance preferred., * BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field. * 8+ years of experience in embedded hardware and digital design (10+ preferred for Senior level). * Experience supporting full product development lifecycle including: + Requirements analysis, System design and hardware implementation, Integration and test + Firmware/software architecture development for embedded systems, including FPGAs and SoCs + Technical documentation and formal design reviews * Strong VHDL, FPGA/SoC design and implementation experience: + Digital logic design using VHDL/Verilog with System-On-Chip devices (SoC's), FPGA's, CPLD/s, and/or Microcontrollers. + Modern vendor design tools (IDE's) such as Xilinx Vivado, Vitis, STM, Libero SoC, Lattice Diamond + Simulation and Testbench generation (Xilinx simulator, Aldec Active HDL, Riveria Pro, Modelsim, or similar) + RISC microprocessors architectures (ARM Cortex, Microblaze, PowerPC, RISC-V) + C/C++ language software development for embedded, real-time systems. * Experience with one or more of the following: + Integrating and troubleshooting digital subsystems within embedded systems. + Digital interfaces such as I2C, SPI, RS-232/422, USB, Ethernet + ADC/DAC devices and understanding performance characteristics. + Hands-on lab experience debugging hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and related tools * Understand trade-offs of embedded system targets (FPGA, SoC, microcontroller, RTOS, bare-metal) for developing best cost/option architectures Preferred Qualifications: * Active Secret or Top Secret clearance. * Proven experience in full-stack FPGA development for Xilinx UltraScale/UltraScale+ architectures, spanning RTL design (VHDL/Verilog) and embedded C/C++ development for bare-metal, FreeRTOS, or embedded Linux environments (PetaLinux, etc). * Experience with one or more of the following: + Design and development with other FPGA/CPLD vendors such as Microsemi, ST-Micro, Lattice, etc + High-speed interfaces/protocols such as PCIe, JESD204B, LVDS, and SERDES + Simulation and modeling tools (MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW) + Implementing signal processing concepts such as digital filters, digital modulation, up/down conversion within HDL designs + IP cores and modern processor interfaces (Xilinx IP Cores, AXI4, AXI-Stream or similar) + Design, integration and testing electronic circuits within embedded systems, including digital, analog and radio frequency (RF) subsystems. * Experience developing ruggedized or military communication systems * Experience with the Cooperative Engagement Capability Naval communications system. * Experience transitioning prototype designs into production hardware * Familiar with schematic capture design tools (Altium, Cadence Allegro/OrCAD, Ki-CAD or equivalent) ## Description * Participate in a multi-disciplinary engineering team developing secure, high-performance military communications hardware and firmware. * Analyze and decompose system-level requirements into detailed hardware design specifications with full traceability. * Perform Logic Design; write VHDL code, perform synthesis, logic simulation, test bench generation, functional testing and hardware debugging of designs within FPGA/CPLD devices. * Architect, implement and test embedded firmware /software within FPGA-based digital designs including signal processing, control logic, and high-speed interfaces on a variety of platforms (FPGAs, microcontrollers, microprocessors, and mixed signal designs). * Troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware, firmware / software and integration issues across prototype and production phases. * Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), technical documentation, and configuration management processes. * Provide technical input for cost estimates, schedules, and risk assessments. * Collaborate closely with Firmware, Software, RF, systems, and test engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle.