Senior FPGA Design and Verification Engineer

JMA is seeking a Senior FPGA Design and Verification Engineer to design, implement, and optimize FPGA-based solutions for 5G projects. This role involves leading FPGA design efforts from conception to delivery, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring the reliability and functionality of designs through comprehensive testing. The engineer will contribute to innovative product development and work full-time onsite in Plano, Texas, helping to restore U.S. leadership in wireless technology.

Must Have

• Architect and design FPGA-based systems to meet project requirements.
• Implement and optimize FPGA designs for performance, power, and area efficiency.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans to ensure reliability and functionality.
• Debug and troubleshoot FPGA designs, identifying and resolving issues.
• Generate clear and comprehensive documentation for FPGA designs.
• Minimum 8 years of hands-on experience in FPGA design and development.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in FPGA-based 5G Wireless systems or ORAN Fronthaul technology.
• Strong understanding of high-speed digital design and Digital Signal Processing principles.
• Expertise in RTL optimized design with Verilog/SystemVerilog and/or VHDL.
• Proficient in using FPGA design-verification tools from Xilinx/AMD or Altera/Intel, and Questasim.
• Knowledge of FPGA synthesis, place-n-route process, and timing closure techniques.
• Familiarity with FPGA interfaces like 10/25/100GbEth, ADC/DAC, uART, SPI, I2C, DDR4, JESD204B, PCIe.
• Ability to write module-level and/or top-level FPGA testbench with testcases.
• Lab troubleshooting skills, mastering lab setup, equipment, and FPGA’s chipscope/signaltap.
• Knowledge of at least one between Bash and Python scripting language.
• Proficiency with C programming language.

Good to Have

• Proficiency with Linux systems, both as development environments and as FGPA embedded OS.
• Familiarity with tcl and Makefile languages.
• Familiarity with Bitbucket and Jira-based workflow.
• Familiarity with Jenkins framework and Groovy language.
• Knowledge of FPGA security embedded systems, including ORAN Fronthaul’s vulnerability security WG11, secure boot, and MACsec.
• Familiarity with wireless communication protocols (e.g., LTE, 5G) and their FPGA implementation.
• Knowledge of RF systems and signal processing challenges in wireless communication.

Perks & Benefits

• Employee discounts
• Financial resources and support
• Legal resources and support
• Childcare resources and support
• Comprehensive health and wellness coverage
• Monetary rewards towards health goals
• Company-provided personal protection benefits

JMA is restoring U.S. leadership in wireless technology at a critical time in the transition to 5G. It makes the world’s most advanced software-based 5G platform, designed, coded, and manufactured in Syracuse, NY at the only U.S.-owned 5G factory in the country.

Across its global tech centers, JMA makes 5G possible for organizations with the most critical connectivity demands in the world. JMA’s technology is ushering in a new era of connectivity for leading mobile carriers, the most iconic stadiums, major universities, leading healthcare centers, the busiest transit centers, and the U.S. Military.

5G is more than another G on your phone — it is a generational opportunity to change the way the world operates. Join the industry’s fastest growing technology company to shape that future today.

The Senior FPGA Engineer will play a key role in the design, implementation, and optimization of FPGA-based solutions for JMA projects. Contribute to the development of innovative products, collaborate with cross-functional teams, including HW design, QA, and Operations, and lead FPGA design efforts from conception to delivery. This position will work full-time onsite at the JMA office in Plano, Texas.

Responsibilities:

• FPGA Design and Development:
• Architect and design FPGA-based systems to meet project requirements.
• Implement and optimize FPGA designs for performance, power, and area efficiency.
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to integrate FPGA solutions into larger systems.
• Verification and Testing:
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans to ensure the reliability and functionality of FPGA designs.
• Debug and troubleshoot FPGA designs, identifying and resolving issues in a timely manner.
• Documentation:
• Generate clear and comprehensive documentation for FPGA designs, including specifications, test plans, and user guides.
• Maintain version-controlled design documentation throughout the development lifecycle.
• Team Leadership:
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior FPGA engineers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of FPGA solutions.
• Research and Innovation:
• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies in FPGA design.
• Explore and recommend new tools, methodologies, and techniques to enhance FPGA development processes.
• Project Management:
• Work closely with project managers to define project milestones, deliverables, and timelines.
• Contribute to project planning and resource allocation for FPGA development activities.

Qualifications

• Experience:
• Minimum BS degree (preferrable Master) in EE and/or computer science.
• Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in FPGA design and development.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in the FPGA based 5G Wireless systems and/or ORAN Fronthaul technology
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex FPGA projects from concept to production.
• Technical Skills:
• Strong understanding of high-speed digital design and Digital Signal Processing principles.
• Expertise of RTL optimized design technique in digital and DSP domain with Verilog/SystemVerilog and/or VHDL.
• Proficient in using FPGA design-verification tools from vendors such as Xilinx/AMD or Altera/Intel, simulator Questasim.
• Knowledge of FPGDSA’s synthesis, place-n-route process, and optimization for timing closure techniques.
• Familiar with FPGA interfaces – 10/25/100GbEth, ADC/DAC, uART, SPI, I2C, DDR4, JESD204B, PCIe.
• Ability to write module-level and/or top-level FPGA testbench with testcases to ensure the design coverage in simulation.
• Lab troubleshooting skills - mastering the lab set up, equipment and leveraging FPGA’s chipscope (or signaltap) debug tool.
• Knowledge of at least one between Bash and Python scripting language.
• Proficiency with C programming language.
• Skills that are not mandatory but that will be considered a plus:
• Proficiency with Linux systems, both as development environments and as FGPA embedded OS. This is a very strong plus.
• Other languages considered a plus are tcl, Makefile.
• Familiarity with bitbucket, Jira-based workflow is a plus.
• Familiarity with Jenkins framework and groovy language is a plus.
• Knowledge of FPGA security embedded systems, including ORAN Fronthaul’s vulnerability security WG11, secure boot, and MACsec.
• Wireless Communication:
• Some familiarity with wireless communication protocols (e.g., LTE, 5G) and their FPGA implementation.
• Some knowledge of RF systems and signal processing challenges in wireless communication.
• Communication and Leadership:
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to lead and mentor a team of engineers.
• Problem-Solving:
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve complex issues in FPGA designs.
• Adaptability:
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies.

The US national annual base salary for this role is $120,000-$140,000. The range includes the base salary that is expected to be paid for this role. Actual base salary will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the of scope and complexity of the role, the successful candidate's relevant experience, skills, and knowledge, peer and market data and geographic location.

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At JMA, our people are deeply committed to their work and we provide benefits to match. When you join JMA you have immediate access to everything you need. Whether you're looking for employee discounts, financial, legal and/or childcare resources and support, we have you covered. We believe in providing comprehensive health and wellness coverage along with monetary rewards towards health goals, in addition to numerous company-provided personal protection benefits at no additional cost to you.

At JMA, we don’t just accept differences — we embrace them. JMA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.