FPGA Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: FPGA Design Manager
Company: BAE Systems
Location: Nashua, New Hampshire, United States / Manchester, New Hampshire, United States
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Engineering Management / Hardware Design Operations
Date Posted: 2025-08-20
Experience Level: 10+ Years (Managerial/Senior Level)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This senior leadership role within BAE Systems' Electronic Systems business area focuses on managing and developing a high-performing team of FPGA Design engineers.
• The position requires a blend of technical expertise in FPGA/ASIC development lifecycle and strong people management skills to foster innovation and drive project success.
• The ideal candidate will be instrumental in advancing the company's FPGA design capabilities through the evaluation of cutting-edge tools and methodologies.
• Responsibilities include personnel performance management, career development, and ensuring the efficient execution of engineering projects through effective scope and risk management.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is in Engineering Management, it has significant operational aspects related to resource management, process optimization, and project execution within a technical domain. The "operations" focus here is on the efficient and effective delivery of engineering projects and team performance.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Management: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of FPGA Design engineers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Talent Acquisition & Development: Drive the hiring and staffing of skilled design engineers to meet program demands and facilitate the professional growth of existing team members.
• Technical Advancement: Evaluate and integrate modern FPGA design tools, techniques, and hardware resources to enhance the company's design capabilities and maintain a competitive edge.
• Program Execution & Influence: Manage personnel performance, oversee scope management, and positively influence program execution by ensuring timely and high-quality FPGA design deliverables.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively communicate project status, technical insights, best practices, and lessons learned to the engineering team, leadership, and across the organization.
• Proposal & Negotiation Support: Contribute to the development, review, and negotiation of proposals, ensuring accurate scope definition and resource allocation for FPGA design efforts.
• Process Enhancement & Standardization: Drive the improvement and consistent application of engineering processes across programs, focusing on efficiency and best practices in FPGA development.
• Business Initiative Support: Actively support key company initiatives aimed at improving business execution, discipline adherence, and overall operational efficiency within the Electronic Systems sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed highlight a strong emphasis on operational efficiency within engineering: "advancing the state of FPGA design," "managing personnel performance and development," "influencing program execution," "enhancing engineering processes," and "supporting key initiatives to improve business execution." These align with GTM and Ops principles of continuous improvement and strategic resource deployment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (EE) or Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is required.
• A Master's degree in EE/ECE or a technical MBA with 10+ years of relevant experience is preferred, indicating a strong blend of technical and business acumen.

Experience:

• A minimum of 12+ years of relevant experience in FPGA/ASIC design and development is mandatory.
• Proven experience in leading and managing FPGA/ASIC design teams is essential for this managerial role.
• Experience in planning and managing schedules, staffing, costs, and risks associated with engineering projects is critical.
• Direct experience with DoD projects is highly desirable, suggesting familiarity with defense industry standards and requirements.

Required Skills:

• FPGA/ASIC Development Lifecycle: Comprehensive understanding and experience across all stages, including requirements management, RTL design (VHDL preferred, Verilog acceptable), synthesis, static timing analysis (STA), and lab bring-up/validation.
• Leadership & Team Management: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and manage engineering teams, including performance management and career development.
• Project Management Fundamentals: Proficiency in planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and risk management, ideally with experience in tools like MS-Project.
• Technical Aptitude: Deep understanding of FPGA architecture, design trade-offs, and the ability to assess and evaluate modern design tools and techniques.
• Communication: Strong written and oral communication skills for effective stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to thrive in a dynamic environment with evolving needs, requirements, and technical challenges.
• MS Office Suite: Proficiency in MS-Project, MS-Word, and MS-Excel for project planning, documentation, and reporting.

Preferred Skills:

• DSP Fundamentals: Familiarity with Digital Signal Processing concepts and their application in FPGA design.
• Software Development: Experience with C/C++ for embedded systems or related software development tasks.
• Scripting: Proficiency in scripting languages such as Perl, Python, bash, or Tcl for automation and workflow enhancement.
• Design Verification: Exposure to advanced verification methodologies like UVM/OVM.
• Business Acumen: Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) is a plus, demonstrating financial project oversight capability.
• Tool Familiarity: Experience with AMD (Xilinx) Vivado or Intel (Altera) Quartus development suites.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on VHDL preference, specific EDA tool familiarity (Vivado, Quartus), and scripting skills (Python, Perl) points to a need for candidates with hands-on technical depth in modern FPGA workflows, which is crucial for effective team management and process improvement.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Technical Leadership Examples: Showcase instances where you led engineering teams through complex FPGA/ASIC development cycles, highlighting your role in technical decision-making and problem resolution.
• Project Management Case Studies: Present examples of projects you managed, demonstrating your ability to plan, execute, and deliver within scope, schedule, and budget constraints. Include metrics on performance and outcomes.
• Process Improvement Initiatives: Provide evidence of your contributions to enhancing engineering processes, such as design flows, verification methodologies, or team collaboration strategies, and the quantifiable impact of these improvements.
• Team Development & Mentorship: Illustrate how you have mentored and developed engineering talent, including examples of performance management and career growth support.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Candidates are expected to have experience in defining, documenting, and optimizing engineering workflows, particularly for FPGA design and integration.
• Implementation & Automation Methods: Demonstrate familiarity with methods for implementing new design processes and leveraging automation tools (scripting, CI/CD for hardware) to improve efficiency and reduce errors.
• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Show how you track and analyze team and project performance using key metrics, and how this data informs process adjustments and strategic decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a management role in a technical operations field like FPGA design, a portfolio demonstrating leadership in process implementation, team efficiency, and project delivery is critical. The interviewer will likely assess the candidate's ability to translate technical challenges into efficient operational processes and manage resources effectively to achieve business objectives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The provided full-time salary range is $150,370 to $255,630 USD per year.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is competitive for a senior engineering management role in the defense technology sector, particularly in the New Hampshire region. It reflects the high level of technical expertise, leadership experience, and responsibility associated with managing specialized engineering teams. The actual salary offered will depend on factors such as specific experience, qualifications, and local market conditions.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Includes health, dental, and vision insurance, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), disability coverage, and life/accident insurance.
• Retirement Savings: A 401(k) savings plan is available to support long-term financial planning.
• Work-Life Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and a legal plan offer additional support.
• Generous Leave Policies: Paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, paid parental leave, paid military leave, and paid bereavement leave are provided.
• Recognition & Perks: Participation in the company recognition program for awards and other position-dependent incentives. Additional perks like discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance may be available.
• Federal/State Leave: Includes any applicable federal and state sick leave entitlements.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, aligning with full-time employment expectations.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: Given the hybrid work arrangement, there may be flexibility in daily schedules as long as team and project needs are met, and required on-site days are fulfilled.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is robust and designed to support employees comprehensively, which is a standard offering for large, established defense contractors like BAE Systems and is attractive to experienced professionals seeking stability and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace & Defense, Advanced Electronics, National Security Solutions. Company Size: BAE Systems is a global company. The Electronic Systems sector alone employs over 14,000 individuals, indicating a large, well-established organization with significant resources and complex operations. Founded: BAE Systems plc was formed in 1999 through the merger of British Aerospace and Marconi Electronic Systems. Its US subsidiary, BAE Systems, Inc., is a major player in the American defense market.

Team Structure:

• The FPGA Design Manager will lead a specialized group within the Electronic Systems business area, likely comprising several FPGA design engineers at various experience levels.
• This team will operate within a broader engineering organization, collaborating closely with systems engineers, software developers, hardware engineers, test engineers, and program management.
• Reporting lines are expected to be to a Director or Vice President of Engineering within the Electronic Systems division.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: BAE Systems emphasizes innovation and improving future technology, suggesting a culture that values data analysis and technical insights to drive decisions.
• Process-Oriented Execution: As a large defense contractor, there's a strong reliance on established engineering processes, quality management systems, and program management methodologies (e.g., EVM).
• Collaborative Innovation: The company fosters an environment where engineers work together to push technological boundaries, implying a collaborative approach to problem-solving and design.

Company Website: https://jobs.baesystems.com/global/en

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission "We Protect Those Who Protect Us®" and focus on "advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions" indicate a culture driven by national security objectives, requiring high standards of reliability, security, and technical excellence. This translates to operational rigor in engineering processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior management position, typically classified as an Engineering Manager or Director level, responsible for a critical technical discipline within the Electronic Systems business area. It requires significant technical depth combined with proven leadership capabilities. Reporting Structure: The FPGA Design Manager will likely report to a senior engineering leader (e.g., Director of Engineering, VP of Engineering) within the Electronic Systems division. They will manage a team of individual contributors. Operations Impact: The manager's operational influence extends to ensuring the efficient delivery of complex FPGA designs crucial for BAE Systems' defense and commercial electronic products. Their team's output directly impacts program schedules, product performance, and ultimately, the company's competitive position and ability to meet customer requirements in critical defense applications.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in advanced FPGA architectures, emerging design methodologies, or specific application domains (e.g., radar, communications, electronic warfare).
• Program Leadership: Transitioning to broader program management roles or technical leadership positions overseeing multiple engineering disciplines.
• Organizational Leadership: Advancement to higher management levels, such as Director of Engineering or VP, with increased scope over departments or business units.
• Strategic Initiatives: Leading company-wide initiatives related to engineering process improvement, technology adoption, or talent development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within a large, stable organization. The combination of managing a technical team and influencing operational processes provides a strong foundation for advancement into more senior engineering or program management roles within the defense industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as hybrid, meaning a blend of on-site work at BAE Systems facilities and remote work. This suggests a modern office environment equipped for engineering collaboration, possibly with dedicated labs and meeting spaces. Office Location(s): The primary locations are Nashua and Manchester, New Hampshire, USA. These are typical hubs for defense technology and advanced manufacturing in the region.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Engineering Spaces: Expect to work in environments that facilitate close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including systems, software, and mechanical engineers, as well as program managers.
• Advanced Tools & Technology: Access to state-of-the-art EDA tools for FPGA design, simulation, synthesis, and timing analysis, as well as necessary lab equipment for hardware validation.
• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with your direct reports, peers, and leadership to discuss project progress, technical challenges, and strategic direction.

Work Schedule:

• While the standard is a 40-hour work week, the hybrid nature may offer some flexibility in daily hours, provided project milestones and team collaboration needs are met. On-site days are crucial for team engagement and critical project activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model indicates a modern approach to work-life balance, common in today's engineering landscape. The requirement for on-site presence is standard for management roles involving team oversight and critical project infrastructure.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on leadership experience, technical background, and management philosophy.
• Technical/Team Interview: Panel interview or meeting with key team members and peers to evaluate technical depth, problem-solving skills, and collaboration style. This may include a discussion around past projects and team management scenarios.
• Presentation/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to prepare and present a case study on a past project, focusing on their leadership, process improvements, and technical challenges overcome. This serves as a practical demonstration of their capabilities and portfolio content.
• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to confirm overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: For each project or initiative in your portfolio, use specific metrics to demonstrate impact (e.g., "reduced design cycle time by X%", "improved team productivity by Y%", "delivered project Z% under budget").
• Focus on Leadership & Process: Highlight your role in leading teams, implementing process improvements, mentoring engineers, and managing project risks. Showcase how you applied operational principles to engineering challenges.
• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project, responsibility area, or type of contribution. Use clear, concise language and visual aids where appropriate.
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experiences most relevant to managing FPGA design teams, advancing design capabilities, and influencing program execution within a defense context.
• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: Select examples that showcase your ability to identify and solve complex technical and managerial challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Leadership Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would handle common team management situations, such as performance issues, conflict resolution, or motivating a team.
• Technical Strategy: Be ready to articulate your vision for advancing FPGA design at BAE Systems, including your approach to tool evaluation and process optimization.
• Project Management Approach: Outline your methodology for managing engineering projects, including risk mitigation, resource planning, and stakeholder communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's seniority and focus on operations within engineering, expect questions that probe your ability to manage resources, drive efficiency, and lead technical teams through complex projects. A well-prepared portfolio and clear articulation of your management philosophy will be key differentiators.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• FPGA Design Suites: Proficiency with AMD (Xilinx) Vivado and/or Intel (Altera) Quartus is essential for RTL design, synthesis, place-and-route, and timing analysis.
• HDL Languages: Strong expertise in VHDL is preferred, with Verilog HDL being a common alternative.
• Simulation Tools: Familiarity with industry-standard simulators (e.g., ModelSim, QuestaSim, VCS, Incisive) for functional verification.
• Version Control Systems: Experience with Git, SVN, or similar for managing design code.
• Project Management Software: Proficiency in MS-Project is required for planning and tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Performance Metrics: Ability to define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for individual engineers and the team, such as design completion rates, bug counts, and adherence to schedules.
• Reporting Tools: Experience using tools for generating project status reports and team performance dashboards.

CRM & Automation:

• Scripting for Automation: Skills in Perl, Python, bash, or Tcl are valuable for automating design flows, build processes, and reporting tasks.
• CI/CD for Hardware: Familiarity with Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment principles as applied to hardware design workflows can be a significant advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of specific EDA tools (Vivado, Quartus) and HDL languages (VHDL) indicates a need for deep technical familiarity. Scripting skills are highlighted as preferred, pointing towards an organization that values automation for efficiency – a core tenet of operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable engineering solutions that meet stringent defense industry standards.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging the exploration of new technologies and methodologies to enhance design processes and product capabilities.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Fostering an environment where engineers work cohesively across disciplines to achieve common goals and share knowledge.
• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding ethical standards and taking ownership of responsibilities to ensure project success and customer satisfaction.
• Customer Focus: Prioritizing the needs of internal and external customers, ensuring that engineering efforts align with strategic business objectives and mission requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with systems engineering, software development, mechanical engineering, program management, and quality assurance teams.
• Process-Oriented Dialogue: Openness to feedback and discussion regarding engineering processes, with a focus on identifying areas for optimization and efficiency gains.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the dissemination of best practices, lessons learned, and technical expertise across the team and wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "progressing the state of FPGA design," "enhancing engineering processes," and "influencing program execution" suggests a culture that values proactive management and operational excellence, not just technical execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Diverse Skill Sets: Leading a team with varying levels of experience and expertise in FPGA design requires tailored mentorship and development strategies.
• Balancing Innovation and Execution: Integrating new tools and techniques while ensuring timely delivery on existing programs demands careful planning and resource management.
• Navigating Dynamic Requirements: Adapting to evolving project needs and technical challenges common in the defense sector requires agility and strong problem-solving skills.
• Driving Process Adoption: Implementing and ensuring consistent adherence to new or improved engineering processes across the team can be an organizational challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced FPGA Technologies: Access to training and resources on the latest FPGA architectures, high-level synthesis (HLS), AI/ML on FPGAs, and advanced verification techniques.
• Leadership Development Programs: BAE Systems likely offers internal programs focused on enhancing leadership, project management, and strategic thinking skills.
• Industry Engagement: Opportunities to attend industry conferences and workshops to stay abreast of technological advancements and network with peers.
• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining exposure to other engineering disciplines and program management functions to broaden understanding of the end-to-end product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to not only hone technical leadership but also to develop operational management skills in a high-stakes, technologically advanced environment, which can be highly rewarding for career growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Leadership Philosophy: Be prepared to articulate your approach to leading technical teams, motivating engineers, and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Process Improvement Experience: Discuss specific instances where you identified inefficiencies in engineering processes and implemented solutions, detailing the methodology and outcomes.
• Program Management Approach: Explain how you manage schedules, resources, risks, and stakeholder communication for complex engineering projects.
• Technical Vision: Outline your strategy for advancing FPGA design capabilities at BAE Systems, including how you would evaluate and integrate new tools and methodologies.
• Mentorship & Development: Describe how you mentor and develop the careers of your team members, particularly in technical areas.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding BAE Systems: Research the company's mission, values, recent projects, and its role in the defense industry. Be ready to articulate why you want to work there.
• Team Integration: Discuss how you foster collaboration within your team and with other departments, highlighting your approach to cross-functional communication.
• Operational Mindset: Demonstrate your understanding of how engineering operations contribute to business success, using examples of efficiency improvements and impact on project delivery.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• STAR Method: Structure your case studies using the Situation, Task, Action, and Result (STAR) method to provide clear and concise examples of your experience.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements wherever possible, linking your technical and leadership contributions to tangible business outcomes.
• Highlight Operational Efficiency: Showcase how you improved processes, managed resources effectively, and contributed to project success through operational excellence.
• Concise & Engaging: Aim for a presentation that is informative, engaging, and tailored to the specific requirements of the FPGA Design Manager role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be assessing your ability to combine technical leadership with operational effectiveness. Demonstrating a clear understanding of project management, process optimization, and team development will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the BAE Systems careers portal.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your leadership experience in managing FPGA/ASIC design teams, your project management successes, and any contributions you've made to process improvement or operational efficiency within engineering. Use keywords like "FPGA Design Manager," "VHDL," "Verilog," "ASIC Development," "Project Management," "Team Leadership," and "Process Improvement."
• Portfolio Preparation: Compile a portfolio that showcases your project leadership, team management, and process enhancement initiatives. Prepare to discuss specific metrics and quantifiable achievements related to project delivery, team performance, and technical advancements.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research BAE Systems, its Electronic Systems division, its mission, and its values. Understand the context of defense contracting and the importance of operational reliability and security.
• Interview Practice: Practice articulating your leadership philosophy, problem-solving approach, and project management strategies. Be ready to discuss how you would tackle the challenges and opportunities presented in this role, emphasizing your operational perspective on engineering management.