RF Systems FPGA Engineer II - Lunar Permanance Verified today

About the role

Blue Origin's Lunar RF Systems group is seeking an FPGA Design Engineer to support Radio and Radar teams developing flight communications and sensing hardware for lunar vehicles. You will own digital design from algorithm concept through flight, translating DSP and RF system requirements into synthesizable RTL running on FPGAs and system-on-chip devices.

Our radios deliver command, telemetry, and data links between the lunar surface, orbit, and Earth. Our radars enable precision descent and landing. FPGAs configure and control RF hardware, perform signal preprocessing, manage communications interfaces, and monitor system health.

What you will do

• Model and simulate waveforms and detection algorithms in Matlab/Simulink
• Trade fixed-point architectures against fabric, memory, and I/O budgets
• Implement and verify RTL logic, then bring it up on real hardware
• Design and simulate end-to-end systems to meet performance specifications such as range and signal-to-noise ratio
• Design and validate signal processing algorithms for detection, tracking, RF calibration, and parameter estimation
• Support Matlab/Simulink code generation for signal processing and filtering
• Analyze algorithmic computational complexity and hardware resource needs
• Optimize FPGA-based DSP architecture to maximize Signal-to-Noise/Clutter Ratio and improve Receiver Sensitivity
• Work with hardware engineers to select FPGA, ADC/DAC, DDR3/4, NOR flash, and other components
• Support hardware bring-up and design verification
• Perform hardware-in-the-loop, bench-level, and integrated RF testing
• Participate in requirements, design, test-readiness, qualification, and acceptance reviews

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related technical field
• 3+ years relevant experience in FPGA design and/or DSP
• Experience developing and implementing DSP algorithms on FPGA and/or embedded processor
• Experience simulating end-to-end systems to meet required performance specifications such as link budgets
• Proficient with Matlab/Simulink or equivalent modeling environment
• Experience designing, choosing, and optimizing DSP algorithms for radar or other relevant sensors
• Proficient with IEEE 802.3, XAUI, PCIe, JESD204B/C, I2C, SPI interfaces
• Proficient in writing RTL using Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL (SystemVerilog desired)
• Strong understanding of FPGA design concepts including CDC, constraint definition, STA, and timing closure
• Proficient with FPGA development tools such as Xilinx Vivado, Microchip Libero, Synopsys Synplify Pro, Intel Quartus
• Proficient with ModelSim/QuestaSim or equivalent simulators
• Experience writing test benches utilizing techniques such as UVM/OVM, SV Assertion, and/or functional/code coverage analysis
• Hands-on experience with testing and laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic or protocol analyzers, power supplies, multimeters, and signal generators
• Experience with Git or another modern version-control system and CI/CD pipelines
• Strong technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

Preferred qualifications

• Master of Science in electrical/computer engineering, digital signal processing, mathematics, or related technical field
• Experience with FMCW or CW Radar/LiDAR signal processing
• Proficient with scripting languages like Perl, Python, or Tcl
• Experience with RF sensors
• Experience with space applications and radiation environment
• Experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal generators/analyzers, power meters, and attenuators
• Experience applying formal hardware assurance and configuration-management practices, including DO-254 or comparable aerospace standards

Compensation and benefits

Base pay range for WA applicants: $107,136.00 to $149,990.40. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match up to 5%, Education Support Program, and stock options for all regular employees. Paid time off up to four weeks per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

Employment requirements

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum. Blue's Standard Background Check required for all positions.