BAE Systems, Inc.
Engineer Senior Principal - FPGA Design - $20K Sign On Bonus
Be an Early Applicant
As a Senior Principal Engineer in FPGA Design, you will develop cutting-edge electronic systems and lead complex FPGA SoC designs for space applications, applying advanced design techniques and providing technical leadership.
Job Description
Minimum $20,000 Sign-On Bonus being offered for external hires.
BAE Systems Space and Mission Systems (SMS) is expanding our expertise to provide exciting and challenging solutions to our customers. Our spacecraft solutions team works in a fast paced, highly collaborative development environment to provide continuously evolving capabilities in space payloads. As an FPGA engineer, you will work with a team of electrical and FPGA engineers through the program life cycle to develop electronic products for various complex, high precision, and high reliability applications.
The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers' missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.
What You'll Do:
On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site three or more days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
Working Conditions:
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Minimum $20,000 Sign-On Bonus being offered for external hires.
BAE Systems Space and Mission Systems (SMS) is expanding our expertise to provide exciting and challenging solutions to our customers. Our spacecraft solutions team works in a fast paced, highly collaborative development environment to provide continuously evolving capabilities in space payloads. As an FPGA engineer, you will work with a team of electrical and FPGA engineers through the program life cycle to develop electronic products for various complex, high precision, and high reliability applications.
The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers' missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.
What You'll Do:
- Apply innovative design techniques to create cutting-edge electronic systems.
- Work in a fast-paced team environment on a variety of R&D, proof of concept, and production programs.
- FPGA development and digital IP integration for space systems, high reliability electronic systems. Assignments include designs which will include SOC architectures, digital filters, image processing algorithms, and communication interfaces/protocols.
- Architect and lead complex FPGA SoC designs with AMD (Xilinx) software and IP.
- Provide technical leadership and roadmaps for future products.
- Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
- Perform other duties as necessary.
On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site three or more days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
Working Conditions:
- Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
- May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
- May access other facilities in various weather conditions.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 8 or more years related experience.
- Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
- A current, active Top Secret/SCI security clearance is required.
- Digital system partitioning and advanced function implementation in FPGAs. Excellent design, documentation and implementation of high-speed digital electronics, FPGAs, and embedded processor systems are desired.
- Excellent electronic systems or embedded systems background.
- Experience with VHDL/Verilog and System Verilog.
- Expertise in VHDL/Verilog or System Verilog.
- Experience with FPGA design tools including Xilinx Vivado/Vitis and Mentor Modelsim/Questasim.
- Ability to work requirements and flow down for system/subsystem/box/board needs.
- Good communication skills as well as excellent presentation skills.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- Solid design, documentation and implementation of high-speed digital electronics, FPGAs, and embedded processor systems.
- Demonstrated technical leadership skills in FPGA design.
- Experience with OVM/UVM Verification methodologies.
- Experience developing specifications, cost, schedule, and resource requirements for digital/FPGA designs.
- Familiarity with high-speed interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet).
- Familiarity with Signal Processing algorithms and DSP techniques.
- Experience with cybersecurity topics/techniques.
- Familiarity with Mentor Graphic Hyperlynx for SI analysis.
- Experience in Space, Aerospace, or other high reliability applications.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
BAE Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado, USA Office
1600 Commerce St, Boulder, CO, United States, 80301
BAE Systems, Inc. Broomfield, Colorado, USA Office
BAE Systems, Inc. Space & Mission Systems headquarters Office

Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems.
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