Fpga Design Engineer

Job Title: FPGA Design Engineer

Job Description

This FPGA Design Engineer role supports a leading defense organization developing cuttingedge Electronic Warfare (EW), Infrared (IR), SATCOM, and RF systems. You will work across the full FPGA design lifecycle, contributing to advanced missioncritical hardware solutions in a fastpaced, hightechnology environment. The position is based in Rolling Meadows, IL and is ideal for engineers with several years of FPGA experience who want to design and implement complex digital logic for realtime, highperformance applications.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement FPGAbased digital logic for advanced defense and communications systems.
• Create, optimize, and maintain VHDL code for highperformance, realtime applications.
• Own the full FPGA design lifecycle, including requirements analysis, architecture, implementation, verification, and support.
• Collaborate closely with crossfunctional engineering teams, including RF, systems, hardware, and firmware engineers, to ensure seamless system integration.
• Participate in integration, testing, and troubleshooting of FPGA designs in lab environments, using appropriate tools and test equipment.
• Debug and resolve digital hardware and FPGArelated issues, ensuring reliable performance in missioncritical scenarios.
• Document design specifications, test procedures, and technical reports in a clear and comprehensive manner.
• Ensure FPGA designs comply with defenseindustry standards, security requirements, and program objectives.
• Contribute to systemlevel integration efforts for EW, SATCOM, IR, and RFbased technologies.
• Support continuous improvement of design processes, tool flows, and best practices within the engineering team.

Essential Skills

• 36 years of FPGA design and development experience, with up to 8 years considered.
• Strong handson experience with FPGA design across the full lifecycle, from concept through implementation and verification.
• Expertise in VHDL for designing and implementing complex digital logic.
• Experience working with Xilinx, Intel, or Altera FPGA toolchains (specific product lines not required).
• Solid understanding of digital logic fundamentals and digital hardware design principles.
• Strong hardware debugging skills, including the ability to diagnose and resolve FPGArelated issues in lab environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with crossfunctional engineering teams and communicate technical concepts clearly.
• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Ability to work in environments that may require access to classified information, with an active Secret clearance preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in Aerospace and Defense, SATCOM, Infrared systems, or RFbased technologies.
• Familiarity with highspeed interfaces and related design considerations.
• Experience with DSP blocks or embedded processing within FPGA architectures.
• Understanding of systemlevel integration in Electronic Warfare (EW) or RF systems.
• Prior exposure to defenseindustry standards and securitydriven design practices.
• Strong documentation skills for specifications, test procedures, and technical reports.
• Ability to thrive in a fastpaced, hightechnology environment focused on missioncritical solutions.
• Active Secret clearance is preferred but candidates without clearance may also be considered.

Work Environment

This role is based in an advanced engineering facility in Chicago IL, focused on developing Electronic Warfare, Infrared, SATCOM, and RF systems. You will work in a labdriven environment that emphasizes handson FPGA design, integration, and testing using industrystandard FPGA toolchains from Xilinx, Intel, or Altera and associated test equipment. The setting is fastpaced and highly collaborative, with crossfunctional teams working together on missioncritical hardware solutions. Work may involve supporting classified programs, so the ability to operate in secure environments and follow strict security protocols is important. The culture values technical excellence, clear communication, thorough documentation, and a strong commitment to quality and reliability in defenseoriented applications.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $80.00/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)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 28, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL.

About Actalent

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.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.