Staff Firmware Engineer, Space Imaging

The Anduril Imaging team develops state-of-the-art imaging systems across both hardware and software, deployed to tackle the most significant security challenges of America and its allies.  The team is heavily involved in utilizing computer vision, perception, electro-optical, infrared, and sensor data to give our war fighters and allies an advantage.  

The Space Imaging team is seeking a Staff Firmware Engineer to design a new product lines for spaceborne systems. In this role, you will work closely with an interdisciplinary technical team to define optical architectures, complete the design and analysis, build prototypes leading to ground and flight testing, and mature the prototypes into products.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead FPGA architecture, standards, development and review processes
• Algorithm Implementation: Analyzing, designing, and implementing complex computer vision algorithms (e.g., object detection, tracking, image processing, state estimation) in hardware description languages (VHDL, Verilog) based on existing software models (e.g., MATLAB, C++, or Python models).
• FPGA Development: Designing, architecting, simulating, and integrating VHDL designs into FPGAs or Systems on Chip (SoC) for optimized performance, resource utilization, and power efficiency.
• Hardware/Software Integration: Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams (electrical engineers, software engineers, systems engineers) to ensure seamless integration of the firmware with the overall system, including processor bring-up and board support packages.
• Testing and Validation: Developing robust test benches in VHDL/Verilog and utilizing lab tools such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers for rigorous testing and validation of designs against functional specifications and performance requirements.
• Optimization: Optimizing the algorithms for hardware acceleration, including MIPS optimization and efficient use of on-chip bus protocols like AXI or AXI-Stream. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field is typically required.
• Experience: 15+ years of experience developing HDL firmware for FPGA devices and C/C++ for embedded processors
• Hardware Description Languages: Expertise in VHDL and/or Verilog/SystemVerilog is essential for RTL (Register Transfer Level) design.
• Programming Languages: Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems development (bare-metal and/or RTOS) and scripting languages like Python or Bash for automation is critical.
• FPGA Tools: Experience with industry-standard FPGA design tools such as Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus.
• Computer Vision Knowledge: Strong understanding of image processing fundamentals and computer vision algorithms. Familiarity with libraries like OpenCV or machine learning frameworks is a plus.
• Debugging Skills: Strong hardware/software debugging skills using standard lab equipment.
• Version Control: Proficiency with version control systems (e.g., Git) for collaborative development. 
• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Education: A Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field is typically required.
• Experience: 20+ years of experience developing HDL firmware for FPGA devices and C/C++ for embedded processors
• Demonstrated experience designing with multi-gigabit SERDES, DDR memory busses, Ethernet MAC and PHY interfaces, FPGAs, and common communication busses like SPI and I2C
• Embedded software development experience with the use of timers, interrupts, hardware peripherals such as SPI controllers and ADCs
• Experience with component selection, schematic capture, high speed board design, and PCB layout
• Knowledge of embedded Linux development, including device trees, hardware drivers, bootloaders, and basic Unix/Linux tools
• Familiar with common programming languages like Python and MATLAB
• Familiarity with infrared image sensor technology