Leads FPGA development for high-reliability ground, aerospace, and space systems. Responsibilities include FPGA SoC architecture, design, verification, validation, Agile Scrum leadership, Jira backlog management, cost and schedule oversight, risk management, cross-functional coordination, customer communication, and mentoring engineers in VHDL, Verilog, and SystemVerilog. The role also ensures radiation-hardened, flight-qualified electronics meet technical and program requirements.
Job Description
In this pivotal role, you will serve as both a technical leader and be responsible for cost and schedule, guiding FPGA teams through the architecture, design, test, and validation of systems with multiple high-reliability FPGA applications for ground, aerospace, and space-based systems. You will bridge the gap between complex digital architecture and project execution, ensuring that cutting-edge SoC designs are delivered on cost, schedule, and technical specification.
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
Technical 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, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for government and commercial customers. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.
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.
Multiple positions may be available on this opening.
In this pivotal role, you will serve as both a technical leader and be responsible for cost and schedule, guiding FPGA teams through the architecture, design, test, and validation of systems with multiple high-reliability FPGA applications for ground, aerospace, and space-based systems. You will bridge the gap between complex digital architecture and project execution, ensuring that cutting-edge SoC designs are delivered on cost, schedule, and technical specification.
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:
- Project Leadership & Agile Management
- Scrum Master Leadership: Act as the Agile Scrum Master for the FPGA development team, facilitating daily stand-ups, sprint planning, sprint reviews, and retrospectives to ensure iterative progress and continuous improvement.
- Jira Administration: Own the project backlog in Jira; translate high-level system requirements into actionable user stories and tasks, manage sprint velocity and tracking burndown charts to ensure predictable delivery.
- Programmatic Oversight: Lead the team to deliver on project cost, schedule, and technical requirements, utilizing earned value reporting and risk-based decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
- Cross-Functional Integration: Lead a team including Electrical Systems, Mechanical Packaging, Circuit Design, Parts & Reliability, Radiation, and Production/Test Engineers.
- Stakeholder Communication: Provide clear technical and programmatic roadmaps to both internal leadership and external customers (e.g., NASA, DoW, NOAA).
- Technical Execution & FPGA Design
- Architectural Leadership: Leading multiple SMEs in architecting complex FPGA SoC designs utilizing AMD (Xilinx) software and IP, focusing on SOC architectures, digital filters, image processing algorithms, and communication protocols balancing technical capability and programmatic needs.
- Advanced Implementation: Apply innovative design techniques to create high-precision, radiation-hardened electronic systems for space flight applications.
- Technical Mentorship: Provide technical leadership and roadmaps for future products, guiding junior engineers in VHDL/Verilog and System Verilog implementation.
- Verification & Quality: Oversee the flow-down of system/subsystem requirements and ensure adherence to rigorous screening and qualification processes for "flight space qualified" electronics.
- 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.
- 8 years of related experience in electronic systems development, with a proven track record of leading electronics development teams to meet performance goals.
- Domain Expertise: Extensive experience in space flight electronics, radiation-hardened environments, and EEE parts for space applications.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
Technical Skills
- FPGA Toolchain: Proficiency with Xilinx Vivado/Vitis and Mentor Modelsim/Questasim.
- Languages: Expertise in VHDL, Verilog, and System Verilog.
- Hardware Knowledge: Strong background in high-speed digital electronics, embedded processor systems, and high-speed interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet).
- Verification: Experience with OVM/UVM Verification methodologies and SI analysis (e.g., Mentor Graphic Hyperlynx).
- Agile Proficiency: Demonstrated experience as a Scrum Master or Agile Lead with high-level proficiency in Jira.
- Management: Experience in cost and schedule management, subcontract management, and resource staffing.
- Communication: Excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills, with the ability to lead group discussions and deliver high-impact presentations.
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, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for government and commercial customers. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.
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.
Multiple positions may be available on this opening.
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.
Similar Jobs at BAE Systems, Inc.
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Supports spacecraft fault management through system design, simulator testing, flight hardware testing, tool development, research, presentations, and technical documentation. Collaborates with systems engineers and spacecraft subsystem experts to understand mission architecture, identify vulnerabilities, and develop fault responses. Interns work on-site with mentorship and may work in laboratories, production areas, cleanrooms, or remote research environments.
Top Skills:
Digital Vehicle SimulatorsPythonRuby
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Leads satellite engineers and space operations specialists supporting 24/7 spacecraft command and control, subsystem and payload health monitoring, mission data collection, and analysis. Provides technical support for system discrepancies, performs calibrations, maintains operational procedures, coordinates with factory teams and contractors, and briefs customers and management. The role also includes functional management, team development, training oversight, reporting, and mission integration activities.
Top Skills:
Ground TerminalsMission Data Processing SystemsSatellite Ground SystemsSatellite Operations SystemsSpacecraft Calibration SystemsSpacecraft Command And ControlSpacecraft Systems
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Supports spacecraft fault-management design, testing, verification, validation, tool development, and systems engineering documentation. Interns collaborate with multidisciplinary spacecraft experts, develop knowledge of spacecraft architectures and subsystems, present findings, document technical approaches, and contribute to research and flight-hardware testing. Assignments may involve digital vehicle simulators, fault monitors and responses, scripting, and continuous improvement of engineering tools.
Top Skills:
Digital Vehicle SimulatorsPythonRuby
What you need to know about the Colorado Tech Scene
With a business-friendly climate and research universities like CU Boulder and Colorado State, Colorado has made a name for itself as a startup ecosystem. The state boasts a skilled workforce and high quality of life thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant cultural scene and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. Colorado is also home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helping cement its status as a hub for renewable energy innovation.
Key Facts About Colorado Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3
- Key Industries: Software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute


