Senior FPGA Engineer Verified today
About Northwood
Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions including national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. The company designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems.
The Role
As Senior FPGA Engineer, you will architect the digital backbone of Northwood's antenna systems, designing FPGA solutions for data transport and signal processing. You will handle massive parallel data streams from phased-array antennas, track hundreds of satellites across orbits, and process terabytes of space data in real time.
Responsibilities
- Design core space-communication systems: Architect and implement networking and DSP blocks on FPGAs to process high-rate data from phased-array antennas and support reliable connectivity in demanding environments.
- Lead projects from concept to production: Work with cross-functional teams through prototyping, productization, deployment, and ongoing operations to ensure systems meet performance needs.
- Develop system architecture: Assess trade-offs, define requirements, and optimize architectures for resilient, high-speed communication links that support global customers with minimal downtime.
- Debug and improve deployed systems: Review field test data from global ground stations, identify hardware-software integration issues, and update designs to improve reliability and throughput.
Basic Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience delivering complex digital hardware designs
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or similar hardware-focused field
- Strong Verilog/SystemVerilog skills for efficient, synthesizable designs
- Python experience for automation, simulation, and system integration
- Hands-on experience with FPGA-based DSP and/or networking
- Experience with FPGA SoCs, including processors, peripherals, and custom logic
- Proficiency with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers for debugging high-speed FPGA designs
- Onsite in Torrance, CA
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficiency with C++ or Rust for embedded software that complements FPGA work in performance-critical applications
- Hands-on experience with high-performance PCBA architecture and design, including FPGA integration in demanding environments
Employment Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.