Digital Design Engineer

• 3-year contract
• Salary range: $70-$110/hr.
• Job Location: Bedford, MA (90-100% onsite)
• Schedule: M-F
• Job#: 19159

Program Overview

The team develops, integrates, tests, and operates advanced communications and signal processing systems for airborne, space-based, and terrestrial applications. Efforts include the design of high-performance prototype hardware platforms, interoperability testing across multi-vendor systems, development of validation and test infrastructure, and implementation of advanced networking and communications capabilities.

The organization emphasizes transitioning research and prototype technologies into operational environments through rigorous testing, standards-based interoperability, and hardware demonstration activities.

Position Summary

The candidate will participate in FPGA-based digital design and development activities using team-oriented engineering processes. Responsibilities include FPGA architecture development, VHDL coding, simulation, verification, synthesis, timing closure, hardware integration, and laboratory testing.

The engineer will:

• Plan, execute, and support engineering research and product development activities.
• Develop FPGA and HDL-based implementations for high-speed digital signal processing systems.
• Perform design analysis, simulation, verification, integration, and hardware validation.
• Convert algorithmic or functional requirements into implementable FPGA architectures.
• Develop and maintain detailed design documentation and configuration-controlled design files.
• Support prototype fabrication, hardware bring-up, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams throughout the development lifecycle.

Technical Requirements

FPGA & Digital Design

• Strong VHDL design experience.
• Experience with Xilinx FPGA families including Virtex and Versal devices.
• Experience using Xilinx Vivado and/or ISE development environments.
• Experience with ModelSim and/or Questa simulation tools.
• Experience implementing high-speed digital signal processing algorithms in FPGA architectures.
• Ability to perform timing analysis and timing closure on complex FPGA designs.
• Experience integrating and maintaining legacy IP and FPGA build environments.
• Experience translating system requirements into FPGA implementation architectures.

High-Speed Interfaces & Networking

• Experience implementing JESD204B and/or JESD204C interfaces.
• Experience with DDR3 and DDR4 memory interfaces.
• Experience with Ethernet-based designs from 1G through 100G.
• Knowledge of high-speed networking protocols and architectures.
• Experience debugging complex digital systems in laboratory environments.

Software & Development Environment

• Proficiency in UNIX/Linux-based development environments.
• Experience with scripting languages and automation tools.
• Experience using source code and revision control systems.

Hardware Integration & Test

• Experience with laboratory and network test equipment.
• Experience debugging complex digital and mixed-signal hardware systems.
• Experience supporting hardware integration and system-level troubleshooting.

Desired Additional Skills

• MATLAB
• Python
• Perl
• TCL
• SystemC
• SystemVerilog
• C/C++

Work Environment

This position requires significant hands-on interaction with hardware and laboratory equipment. Candidates should expect to work primarily onsite to support hardware integration, testing, and development activities.

Clearance

An active security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain the required clearance is preferred. Interim eligibility may be sufficient for onboarding.

Interview Process

• Initial phone or virtual interview.
• Follow-up onsite technical interview including design and architecture discussions.
• Candidates should be available to attend onsite interviews when requested.

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