FPGA & Firmware Engineer Verified today
About Sateliot
Sateliot is a Barcelona-based startup providing global IoT connectivity via a constellation of low-orbit nanosatellites operating under 5G protocol. We complement terrestrial networks where they don't reach.
Your Mission
Working within the Payload team, you will develop the digital brain of our satellites end-to-end: from FPGA logic to embedded firmware running on the SoC. You will be a 50/50 mix of FPGA design (RTL) and embedded firmware (PS) on the same target, bridging hardware logic and software.
Main Responsibilities
- RTL Design & Integration: Design and implement digital logic in SystemVerilog or VHDL on the PL side. Integrate IP blocks and bridge them via AXI4 / AXI4-Stream / AXI4-Lite.
- Embedded Firmware: Write C / C++ firmware running on the SoC's processing system: drivers, control logic, data path, and hardware-software interaction.
- Embedded Linux: Build and configure embedded Linux image with PetaLinux and/or Yocto: kernel configuration, device tree, drivers, and rootfs customization.
- High-Speed Interfaces: Bring up and validate high-speed PL interfaces between FPGA and external devices.
- Automation & Scripting: Develop and maintain scripts in Python and Tcl to automate build processes, testing workflows, and lab verifications.
- Hands-on Debugging: Work in the lab with real hardware to debug signals, validate payload performance, and troubleshoot integration issues.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- 2 to 4 years of professional experience covering both FPGA RTL design and embedded firmware on the same SoC platform. Xilinx/AMD Zynq/Versal or Altera/Intel SoC FPGA experience welcome.
Required Technical Skills
- Strong SystemVerilog or VHDL on the PL side.
- Strong C / C++ for embedded systems (pointers, memory management, low-level drivers).
- Embedded Linux on ARM: kernel modules, device tree, drivers; or strong baremetal background with willingness to ramp into Linux.
- PetaLinux and/or Yocto build-flow experience.
- AXI protocol family on the PL side (AXI4 / AXI4-Stream / AXI4-Lite).
- High-speed interface integration.
- Linux environment and command line (Bash), Git version control workflows.
- Ability to write scripts in Python or Tcl for automation tasks.
- AI-Augmented Engineering: experience using AI coding assistants (e.g., Cursor AI, Copilot, Claude) to accelerate development and debugging, or strong willingness to adopt these tools.
- Professional proficiency in English.
Soft Skills
- Proactive attitude and genuine passion for Space Tech and 5G.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently when needed.
- Eagerness to learn and share knowledge with the team.
Nice to Have
- Versal know-how (newcomers will receive internal Versal training).
- AI Engines (AIE / AIE-ML) or Vitis HLS exposure.
- Previous exposure to Xilinx tools (Vivado, Vitis) or Altera/Intel Quartus equivalents.
- Basic knowledge of Software-Defined Radio (SDR) or baseband processing concepts.
- Specific interest in satellite payloads, 5G NTN, or space-grade design.
What We Offer
- Full-time permanent contract
- Hybrid work model
- Schedule flexibility
- Flat and transparent organizational structure
- Buddy program for first-month integration
- Flexible compensation: tax benefits with ticket restaurant, transportation, kindergarten, training programs
- Health insurance, fresh fruit in office, bicycle transport and gym cost sharing
- Dynamic, multidisciplinary, multicultural environment
- International, friendly, motivated team with professional growth opportunities
- Part of a leading European space project