Lead Firmware Engineer

STR
Woburn, MA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to experienced engineers with FPGA design expertise working in defense and national security systems.

Best fit for

  • Experienced engineers with FPGA design expertise and a background in defense systems
    — “SDD is focused on delivering National Defense capabilities”
  • Candidates who thrive in full lifecycle development and can manage complex technical integration
    — “Supporting full life cycle of development and integration of FPGA firmware into hardware systems”
  • Individuals who can mentor junior engineers and contribute to team-building efforts
    — “Providing mentorship to more junior engineers to accelerate their technical and professional development”

Things to consider

  • Must be a U.S. citizen to obtain the required Top Secret security clearance
    — “the ability to obtain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government”
  • Candidates should be prepared for a wide range of project maturity stages and technical complexity
    — “Applicable projects span all levels of maturity from initial concept generation through design, prototype, development, test, and transition to production”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in FPGA design flows for Xilinx or Intel platforms
    — “Experience with design flow for Xilinx and/or Intel FPGAs”
  • Emphasize your ability to validate designs using simulation tools like ModelSim or VCS
    — “Validating designs with simulation and verification techniques before hardware integration”
  • Showcase your track record of working in multidisciplinary teams and managing tight deadlines
    — “Experience with multidisciplinary teams, supporting development and test activities”
  • Demonstrate your skill in creating and maintaining detailed technical documentation
    — “Creating and maintaining design documentation and test plans”
  • Position yourself as a team-builder with experience in leading and empowering technical teams
    — “Building and maintaining high-performing and empowered technical teams”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Successfully implemented complex system algorithms and interfaces in FPGAs
  • Supported full life cycle of development and integration of FPGA firmware into hardware systems
  • Provided mentorship to more junior engineers
Typical background
Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years of applicable experienceMaster’s degree and at least 5 years of applicable experiencePhD and at least 2 years of applicable experience

Skills & requirements

Required

FPGA DesignVerilogVHDLXilinx FPGAIntel FPGAModelsim/questaVCSIncisiveTeamworkCommunication

Preferred

Top Secret Security Clearance

Stack & domain

FPGAVerilogVHDLModelsimQuestaVCSIncisiveLeadershipCommunicationDefenseRadarEW Systems

About the role

Original posting from STR via Greenhouse

System Development Division (SDD) is focused on delivering National Defense capabilities by driving mission-focused strategies to develop advanced technology systems enabling enduring products and solutions focused on achieving the customer vision. Our programs deliver sustainable, reliable, and cost-efficient capabilities focused on end-customer needs that function in operationally relevant environments and timeframes. SDD considers the entire lifecycle of the solution, from conceptualization and architecting, through development to deployment, while leveraging novel technologies to deliver first-of-a-kind systems.

SDD is seeking a Lead Firmware Engineer to implement complex system algorithms and interfaces in FPGAs for Radar and EW systems. Applicable projects span all levels of maturity from initial concept generation through design, prototype, development, test, and transition to production. In this role, you will implement, test, and verify designs through simulation and lab test. These FPGA designs could include signal processing across very wide bands, high data rate interfaces, serial interfaces, and complex control logic.

Additionally, you will support the effort to evaluate current and future system capabilities, identify improved applications and techniques, and ultimately recommend solutions. This position requires skills in working with multidisciplinary teams, supporting development and test activities, as well as technical proficiency in relevant technologies. Strong interpersonal, communication, and technical skills are also required. Applicants are expected to be self-motivated, detail oriented and have a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management and individual contributors on the program team through strong written and verbal communication skills. 

What you will do:

Mapping system-level requirements and objectives to FPGA specifications

Validating designs with simulation and verification techniques before hardware integration

Participating in FPGA development process improvement

Supporting full life cycle of development and integration of FPGA firmware into hardware systems

Creating and maintaining design documentation and test plans

Delivering technical briefings to a range of internal and external stakeholders

Coordinating with program managers and technical leads to manage task schedules and budgets

Providing mentorship to more junior engineers to accelerate their technical and professional development

Building and maintaining high-performing and empowered technical teams

Who you are:

This position requires the ability to obtain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government

Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years of applicable experience, a Master’s degree and at least 5 years of applicable experience, or PhD and at least 2 years of applicable experience. Equivalent experience will be considered.

Experience with FPGA and SoC design entry using Verilog or VHDL

Experience with design flow for Xilinx and/or Intel FPGAs

Experience with simulation tools such as ModelSim/Questa, VCS, or Incisive

Demonstrated desire to successfully pursue new challenges, improve and broaden technical skills, seek greater responsibilities, and increase individual value to the organization

Capable of effectively working in a team environment, often under tight deadlines

Nice to Haves:

Active Security Clearance at the Secret or Top Secret level

Proficient with Xilinx or Altera SoC platforms

Proficient with FPGA or ASIC RTL design entry

Strong background and experience with industry best practices and version control

Proficient with complex timing closure

Experience with Matlab, Python, or C/C++

Experience with interfacing to high speed DACs and ADCs

Experience with Digital Signal Processing

Understanding of RF Systems, specifically radar or EW

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $173,000 - $238,000

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Final offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.

STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.

STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at www.str.us for more info.

STR is an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at appassist@str.us and provide your contact info.

Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.

Source: STR careers (Greenhouse)

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