Leads FPGA architecture, design, verification, implementation, testing, and deployment for space-based systems. Defines architectures and interfaces with multidisciplinary teams, optimizes FPGA utilization and power, supports design reviews and proposals, and mentors junior engineers. The role requires expertise in HDL development, synthesis, place-and-route, timing closure, radiation-tolerant devices, high-speed interfaces, laboratory validation, and space-environment mitigation techniques.
Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.
We are looking to add a Senior Staff FPGA Engineer to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment, and are passionate about developing leading-edge hardware for satellites, spacecraft, and aerospace systems, we would like to hear from you.
In this position, you will be responsible for FPGA circuits and systems through all phases of the development process. The ideal candidate will have experience in FPGA design, verification, test, and deployment at the HDL level. FPGA HDL designs will include high-speed serial interfaces and data streams, digital processing cores, multiple clocks and clock domains, and management interfaces. Testing, validation, and verification will also be central tasks for any FPGA design. Experience in digital signal processing or board-level hardware design is also helpful in the role.
As a senior staff level employee, you will present engineering design review materials to our customers and executive team, as well as participate in proposal-writing efforts. As such, excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead FPGA design and verification efforts for space-based programs ensuring compliance with industry standards and program requirements.
- Work with cross-functional teams (system engineering, hardware designers, and software engineers) to define FPGA architecture, partitioning, interface definitions, and specifications.
- Develop FPGA architecture based on high level system requirements to formulate part selections and SWAP-C estimates with an emphasis on FPGA utilizations and power consumption.
- Act as the subject matter expert when participating in design reviews and bringing technical expertise and insight to the team.
- Mentor and guide junior FPGA designers to drive for efficiency, quality, and consistency.
- Maintain pulse on emerging technologies to drive future product development for space applications.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- A Bachelor of Science (BS) or Master of Science (MS) degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering from an accredited university or institution.
- 12 years of industry or university research experience in the design, analysis, and implementation of FPGA systems at the HDL level.
- Proficiency in VHDL and/or Verilog design capture.
- Familiarity with radiation-tolerant FPGA devices (Xilinx Versal, Xilinx UltraScale+, Xilinx RFSoC, Micorsemi PolarFire, RTG-4).
- Expertise in FPGA implementation (synthesis, place and route and timing closure) and verification.
- Proficient in HDL coder, Modelsim RTL simulation tools, Xilinx and Microsemi tool flows.
- Strong understanding of space environment considerations and radiation effects on FPGA parts to develop mitigation techniques.
- Hands-on experience with lab instruments such as digital oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, RF signal generators, and vector signal analyzers.
- Experience with high-speed interfaces and power optimization techniques for space applications.
- Proven track record of successful FPGA designs deployed in space programs.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Experience with worst-case analysis, failure method and criticality analyses, and reliability analysis.
- Familiarity with digital communications and digital signal processing.
- Experience with board-level hardware design.
- Demonstrated ability to work efficiently with a distributed team.
- Proficiency with git source code control.
- Experience developing firmware using agile flows.
CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
CesiumAstro Broomfield, Colorado, USA Office
105 Edgeview Drive, Broomfield, CO, United States, 80021
CesiumAstro Westminster, Colorado, USA Office
10355 Westmoor Dr., Suite 100, Westminster, United States, 80021
Similar Jobs
22 Minutes Ago
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Supports IT initiatives by gathering requirements, documenting business needs, coordinating projects, and helping deliver digital employee experience improvements. Assists with Microsoft 365 adoption, SharePoint modernization, Power Platform readiness, data analysis, reporting, DEX score reviews, and sentiment analysis. Collaborates with business and IT stakeholders while learning technology delivery practices in a regulated aerospace and defense environment.
Top Skills:
ExcelMicrosoft 365Power BIPower PlatformSharepointSQL
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Leads quality engineering across aerospace and defense program lifecycles. Responsibilities include supporting technical reviews, ensuring contractual and quality compliance, resolving complex issues through root-cause analysis and corrective action, chairing Material Review Boards, conducting audits, integrating quality into manufacturing, and developing performance metrics. The role is fully on-site and requires collaboration across design, manufacturing, inspection, and test engineering teams.
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Leads planning, execution, documentation, and delivery of electro-optical spaceflight payload testing, including functional, performance, and environmental validation. Manages test personnel, cost, schedules, control accounts, proposals, supplier and customer coordination, and lifecycle reporting. Develops test sets and integration documentation while supporting cleanroom, laboratory, fabrication, assembly, and verification activities. Mentors junior engineers and drives continuous improvement.
Top Skills:
CosmosEarned Value ManagementExcelLabviewMS OfficeMicrosoft ProjectOutlookWord
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

