Senior FPGA Prototyping Engineer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior FPGA Prototyping Engineer

Company: Jobgether (Partner Company)

Location: Torrance, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Hardware Engineering / ASIC Development

Date Posted: August 13, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the acceleration of next-generation communications ASICs and complex space hardware development through expert FPGA prototyping.

• Own the end-to-end FPGA prototyping lifecycle, from firmware enablement to first-silicon bring-up and hardware validation.

• Bridge the gap between ASIC design, firmware, software, verification, and system integration to enable earlier and more effective product development.

• Develop and maintain robust FPGA platforms that empower software and firmware teams to commence work well in advance of first silicon availability.

• Design and implement automated validation infrastructure and troubleshoot high-speed digital interfaces and silicon in a laboratory setting.

• Contribute to an advanced satellite communications technology environment characterized by collaboration, rapid iteration, and technical ambition.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for enabling parallel development streams in complex hardware projects, significantly reducing time-to-market for advanced ASICs. The emphasis on bridging hardware and software development is a key indicator of its strategic importance.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop FPGA-based prototypes to facilitate early ASIC integration, firmware development, hardware/software integration, and comprehensive system validation.

• Construct and maintain hardware platforms that enable engineering teams to develop and rigorously test functionality prior to the availability of first silicon.

• Provide essential support for first-silicon bring-up, functional validation, characterization, and debugging throughout the entire hardware lifecycle.

• Architect and implement automated validation and regression infrastructure for efficient silicon characterization, testing, and performance analysis.

• Configure, validate, and meticulously troubleshoot a variety of digital interfaces, including high-speed Ethernet SerDes, SPI, UART, GPIO, and other critical peripherals.

• Create FPGA-based traffic generators, protocol checkers, specialized test applications, and other indispensable tools for interface and system validation.

• Investigate and resolve complex issues that span RTL, FPGA prototypes, firmware, software, and silicon, leveraging simulation, advanced debugging tools, and laboratory instrumentation.

• Utilize JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers effectively to isolate and diagnose hardware and interface issues.

• Foster close collaboration with ASIC Design, Verification, Firmware, Software, Systems, and DFT teams to expedite development timelines and resolve multifaceted technical challenges.

• Contribute actively to a development environment that prioritizes rapid iteration, robust validation methodologies, and the achievement of reliable hardware performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on hands-on hardware debugging and validation, alongside significant cross-functional collaboration. This indicates a role that requires both deep technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills to navigate complex development cycles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline. Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive, hands-on experience in FPGA development and related hardware engineering domains.

• Demonstrated experience in building and validating complex hardware systems, with a focus on accelerating ASIC development cycles. Required Skills:

• FPGA Development: 5+ years of hands-on FPGA development experience utilizing Verilog/SystemVerilog.

• FPGA Toolchains: Proficiency with AMD/Xilinx FPGA tools for synthesis, place & route, and debugging.

• ASIC Methodologies: Strong understanding of ASIC development methodologies, digital system architecture, and the principles of FPGA prototyping for ASIC development.

• Hardware Bring-up & Validation: Demonstrated experience with firmware or software enablement, initial hardware bring-up, and post-silicon validation processes.

• Hardware Debugging: Robust hardware debugging skills, including practical, hands-on experience with JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.

• Scripting & Automation: Proficiency in Python and other scripting languages for developing test automation, validation infrastructure, and optimizing engineering workflows.

• Cross-Functional Debugging: Experience working effectively across hardware and software boundaries, with a proven ability to debug issues that span multiple layers of a complex system.

• Analytical & Communication Skills: Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.

• Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-moving engineering environment and contribute effectively to technically complex projects.

• Compliance: Candidates must satisfy applicable U.S. export-control requirements for access to ITAR-controlled information and technology.

Preferred Skills:

• Networking/Communications: Familiarity with networking, communications, or satellite systems.

• Embedded Processors: Experience with embedded processors such as ARM or RISC-V, and hard real-time systems, including bare-metal or RTOS environments.

• High-Speed Interfaces: Experience validating high-speed digital interfaces, including Ethernet, SerDes, SPI, or UART.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for ITAR compliance is critical for candidates in this sector. The preference for embedded processor experience and high-speed interface validation suggests the company is working on cutting-edge, high-performance systems.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• FPGA Prototyping Projects: Showcase projects where you've developed FPGA prototypes to enable early software/firmware development or system integration before ASIC availability. Highlight the complexity and impact of your prototypes.

• Validation Infrastructure: Include examples of automated validation frameworks, test benches, or regression suites you've built using scripting languages like Python. Demonstrate how these improved efficiency or coverage.

• Hardware Debugging Case Studies: Present detailed case studies of complex hardware issues you've diagnosed and resolved using lab equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG). Focus on your systematic troubleshooting approach.

• System Integration Examples: Provide examples of projects where you've integrated FPGA designs with embedded processors, software drivers, or other system components, demonstrating your understanding of the full system stack.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you approach designing and optimizing FPGA development and validation workflows, emphasizing efficiency and collaboration.

• Implementation & Automation: Demonstrate your ability to implement robust processes for FPGA design, synthesis, place & route, and validation, with a strong focus on automation and repeatability.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Showcase how you measure the effectiveness of your FPGA prototypes and validation strategies, using metrics related to development acceleration, bug detection, and system performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior FPGA Prototyping Engineer, the portfolio should clearly articulate the candidate's ability to not only design and implement but also to build scalable processes and infrastructure that accelerate the entire hardware development lifecycle. Emphasis should be placed on how their work directly enabled other teams and reduced time-to-market.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $225,000 per year.

• This range is determined by factors such as skills, education, experience, and other relevant qualifications. Benefits:

• Equity Participation: Opportunity to own a stake in the company's growth and success.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Robust medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous paid vacation and personal days.

• Life Insurance: Company-provided life insurance coverage.

• Paid Parental Leave: Support for new parents during this significant life event.

• Additional Employee Perks: Various other benefits and employee-focused programs.

• Onsite Work Environment: Full-time, onsite work at the headquarters in Torrance, California.

• Impactful Technology: Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge satellite and communications technologies with significant technical scope and impact.

• Accommodation Support: Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified applicants needing assistance during the application or interview process.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with the expectation of dedication to critical project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a senior engineering role in the US, particularly in specialized fields like FPGA prototyping for advanced hardware. The inclusion of equity is a significant incentive. The mention of ITAR compliance suggests a defense or aerospace sector focus, often associated with these benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Communications Technology / Aerospace & Defense (Inferred from "next-generation communications ASICs and complex space hardware" and ITAR compliance).

Company Size: Not explicitly stated, but the nature of ASIC development and space hardware suggests a specialized, potentially mid-sized to large, well-funded organization.

Founded: Not specified.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: Likely comprises specialized engineers focused on ASIC design, verification, firmware, software, DFT (Design for Test), and systems engineering.

• Reporting Structure: The Senior FPGA Prototyping Engineer will likely report to an Engineering Manager or Director overseeing ASIC development or hardware engineering.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role is inherently cross-functional, requiring close partnerships with ASIC designers, verification engineers, firmware developers, software engineers, and system architects.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Development: Emphasis on rigorous validation, performance analysis, and evidence-based decision-making.

• Agile Hardware Development: The mention of "rapid iteration" suggests an agile or iterative approach to hardware development, leveraging FPGA prototypes for speed.

• Automation Focus: Strong emphasis on building automated infrastructure to improve efficiency, repeatability, and reduce manual effort in validation and testing.

Company Website: jobgether.com (This is the platform, the actual partner company's website is not provided.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on advanced communications ASICs and space hardware, combined with the need for rapid iteration and robust validation, points to a culture that values technical excellence, innovation, and precision. The ITAR requirement further suggests a focus on national security or critical infrastructure projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Engineer. This level signifies a high degree of technical expertise, autonomy, and the ability to mentor junior engineers. The role involves significant ownership of critical development phases.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to an Engineering Manager or Director, with direct interaction and collaboration across multiple engineering disciplines.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on the speed and success of ASIC development. By enabling early software/firmware work and accelerating validation, the engineer directly influences time-to-market, product quality, and overall project risk reduction for critical communications and space hardware.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in FPGA prototyping, high-speed interface validation, or specific communication protocols relevant to space hardware.

• Leadership Development: Potential to lead FPGA prototyping efforts, mentor junior engineers, or take on more complex system-level architecture responsibilities.

• Advanced Technology Exposure: Opportunity to work with state-of-the-art ASIC designs, communication technologies, and potentially contribute to groundbreaking projects in the satellite communications sector.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain in-depth knowledge of ASIC design, verification methodologies, firmware development, and system integration through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: A Senior FPGA Prototyping Engineer is on a trajectory toward principal engineering roles or management positions within hardware development. The combination of deep technical skill and cross-functional impact makes this a valuable career step.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Full-time onsite at the company's headquarters in Torrance, California. This indicates a traditional office and laboratory environment.

Office Location(s): Torrance, California. This location is a hub for various technology and aerospace companies.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close interaction with multiple engineering teams, suggesting an open or semi-open office layout conducive to collaboration, alongside dedicated lab space for hardware testing.

• Tools & Technology: Access to advanced laboratory equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG, protocol analyzers), high-performance workstations for FPGA development and simulation, and potentially specialized testing rigs.

• Team Interaction: Frequent communication and problem-solving sessions with ASIC designers, verification engineers, firmware/software developers, and system architects.

Work Schedule: Full-time, onsite. While a standard 40-hour week is typical, critical project phases may require extended hours to meet deadlines, especially during bring-up and validation stages.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mandatory onsite presence suggests a need for direct access to specialized lab equipment and close, in-person collaboration, which is common in hardware development environments dealing with sensitive or complex physical systems.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening (Jobgether AI): AI-powered matching against core requirements.

• Recruiter Screen: A preliminary discussion to assess general fit, experience, and motivation.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions covering FPGA design principles, Verilog/SystemVerilog, ASIC development flows, hardware debugging techniques, and scripting capabilities.

Expect to be asked about specific projects and challenges.

• On-site / Virtual On-site: This will likely involve a series of interviews with different team members, potentially including:

  • Design/Verification Engineers: To assess technical depth and collaboration style.
  • Firmware/Software Engineers: To evaluate cross-functional understanding and integration experience.
  • Engineering Manager/Director: To discuss career goals, team fit, and strategic thinking.

• Potential Technical Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to solve a simulated debugging problem, design a small FPGA module, or explain a complex troubleshooting scenario.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly state the problem, your solution, and the quantifiable results (e.g., "Reduced validation time by X%", "Enabled Y% of software features before silicon").

• Highlight Problem-Solving: Focus on how you tackled complex technical challenges, especially those involving hardware debugging or cross-functional integration.

• Showcase Tools & Methodologies: Detail the specific FPGA tools, debugging equipment, and scripting languages you used. Explain your systematic approach to troubleshooting and validation.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with FPGA prototyping for ASIC acceleration, firmware enablement, and high-speed interface validation.

• Be Prepared to Present: Have a concise presentation ready that walks through 1-2 key projects, focusing on your individual contributions and the technical details.

Challenge Preparation:

• FPGA Design Fundamentals: Brush up on Verilog/SystemVerilog syntax, synthesis concepts, timing analysis, and common FPGA architectures.

• Digital Logic & Interfaces: Review common digital interfaces (SPI, UART, I2C, Ethernet) and high-speed serial interfaces (SerDes).

• Debugging Scenarios: Practice explaining how you would debug common hardware issues, such as signal integrity problems, timing violations, or interface malfunctions, using lab equipment.

• Python Scripting: Be ready to discuss or even write simple Python scripts for test automation or data processing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of the role and the emphasis on hands-on debugging, expect detailed technical questions. A well-curated portfolio that demonstrates problem-solving capabilities and quantifiable impact will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• FPGA Design Suites: AMD/Xilinx Vivado or similar tools for synthesis, implementation, and bitstream generation.

• Hardware Description Languages (HDLs): Verilog and SystemVerilog are essential. VHDL knowledge may be a plus.

• Simulation Tools: Experience with industry-standard simulators (e.g., ModelSim, QuestaSim, VCS) for RTL simulation.

• Debugging Tools:

  • JTAG Debuggers: For in-system debugging and configuration.
  • Oscilloscopes: For signal integrity analysis, timing measurements, and general waveform analysis.
  • Logic Analyzers: For capturing and analyzing digital bus activity.
  • Protocol Analyzers: For deep inspection of specific communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet, SPI, UART).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Scripting for Data Analysis: Python (with libraries like NumPy, Pandas) for processing test results, generating reports, and creating custom analysis tools.

• Data Visualization Tools: Potentially used for presenting test results or performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Test Automation Frameworks: Python-based frameworks or custom scripting for automating test execution and validation sequences.

• Version Control Systems: Git is standard for managing HDL code, scripts, and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in AMD/Xilinx tools and a strong understanding of debugging laboratory equipment are paramount. The ability to script effectively in Python for automation and analysis is also a key requirement for streamlining the validation process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Technical Excellence: A commitment to high-quality engineering, rigorous design, and thorough validation.

• Innovation: Driving advancements in communication ASIC and space hardware technology.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse engineering teams to achieve common goals.

• Efficiency: Utilizing automation and optimized processes to accelerate development cycles.

• Problem-Solving: A proactive and systematic approach to tackling complex technical challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where engineers from different disciplines work closely together, sharing knowledge and jointly solving problems.

• Open Communication: Encouragement of open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent discussion of technical challenges and solutions.

• Shared Ownership: A culture where teams share responsibility for the success of projects, from initial design through to silicon bring-up and validation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values individuals who are not only technically proficient but also team-oriented and adept at communicating complex technical information to diverse audiences. A proactive approach to problem-solving and a desire to contribute to cutting-edge technology are key cultural indicators.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex System Integration: Debugging issues that span multiple hardware and software layers in advanced communication ASICs.

• Rapid Development Cycles: Adapting to fast-paced project timelines and delivering robust solutions under pressure.

• Early-Stage Validation: Developing effective validation strategies for hardware that exists only in prototype form, often before final silicon.

• ITAR Compliance: Navigating the regulatory requirements associated with working with controlled technology.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced FPGA Techniques: Opportunities to learn and apply cutting-edge FPGA design and prototyping methodologies.

• Specialized Communications Protocols: Deepen knowledge of high-speed interfaces, networking protocols, and satellite communication standards.

• ASIC Design Flow Exposure: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire ASIC design and verification process.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior engineers and leaders in the field, and to mentor junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges that are directly tied to learning and growth. Tackling complex integration issues and contributing to advanced technologies provide substantial opportunities for skill enhancement and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex hardware debugging challenge you faced involving an FPGA prototype. How did you approach it, what tools did you use, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on systematic troubleshooting, tool proficiency, and impact.)

• "How do you ensure that your FPGA prototypes accurately represent the target ASIC functionality and enable effective early software development?" (Discuss methodologies, constraints, and trade-offs.)

• "Explain your experience with automating hardware validation. What benefits does it bring, and what kind of scripts or frameworks have you built?" (Highlight efficiency gains and technical implementation.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working on next-generation communications ASICs and space hardware?" (Showcase genuine interest in the technology and mission.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with firmware and software teams when working on hardware prototypes?" (Emphasize communication, understanding dependencies, and shared goals.)

• "Describe a time you had to adapt to a rapidly changing project requirement or technical challenge. How did you handle it?" (Demonstrate flexibility and problem-solving under pressure.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly define the Problem, your Solution, the Tools/Methodology used, your specific Contributions, and the Results/Impact.

• Quantify: Use numbers and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the value of your work (e.g., time saved, bugs found, features enabled).

• Visuals: If possible, use diagrams or high-level schematics to explain complex designs or workflows.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a limited timeframe, focusing on the most relevant aspects.

• Engagement: Be ready to answer detailed technical questions about your projects and defend your design/debugging choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your contributions in detail, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions and focusing on technical depth for engineering challenges. Be ready to articulate the "why" behind your technical decisions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior FPGA Prototyping Engineer position:

• Submit Your Application: Utilize the provided application link on lever.co.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your experience with FPGA development (Verilog/SystemVerilog), ASIC prototyping, hardware bring-up, post-silicon validation, Python scripting, and laboratory debugging tools. Quantify your achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your expertise in FPGA prototyping for ASIC acceleration, automated validation infrastructure, and complex hardware debugging. Be ready to discuss these in detail.

• Research the Company: While the partner company is not directly named, understand Jobgether's role in AI-powered matching and their focus on efficiency. Research the general landscape of communications ASICs and space hardware to demonstrate industry awareness.

• Practice Interview Responses: Rehearse answers to common technical and behavioral questions, focusing on demonstrating your problem-solving skills, collaboration abilities, and technical depth.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.