Senior Engineer, FPGA

Senior Engineer, FPGA Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite) Department: Engineering Reports To: Director of Hardware Engineering Picarro is a global leader in precision measurement technology, developing advanced analytical instruments based on Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS). Our solutions enable customers worldwide to measure greenhouse gases, environmental pollutants, industrial process gases, and isotopic compositions with unmatched sensitivity and accuracy. We are seeking a highly skilled Senior FPGA Engineer to join our engineering team and contribute to the development of next-generation analytical instruments and embedded platforms.

Position Summary The Senior FPGA Engineer will play a critical role in the design, development, and verification of FPGA-based systems used in Picarro's high-performance analytical instruments. This individual will collaborate closely with hardware, firmware, systems, and software engineers to develop robust digital designs that enable precise signal acquisition, processing, control, and communication. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in FPGA architecture, digital signal processing, high-speed interfaces, and embedded system development, along with a strong desire to solve complex engineering challenges.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and implement FPGA architectures for advanced instrumentation platforms. Develop RTL code using Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL. Implement and optimize digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms in FPGA hardware.

Design and integrate high-speed communication interfaces, including PCIe, Ethernet, SPI, I²C, UART, and SerDes-based protocols. Collaborate with electrical engineers during schematic reviews and board bring-up activities. Develop timing constraints and perform timing closure for complex FPGA designs.

Conduct simulation, verification, debugging, and validation of FPGA functionality. Support laboratory testing and troubleshooting using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other test equipment. Integrate FPGA designs with embedded processors and firmware components.

Participate in architecture reviews and contribute to technical roadmap planning. Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership on FPGA-related projects. Maintain design documentation and support manufacturing and field teams as needed.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. 8+ years of FPGA development experience in commercial products. Strong proficiency in Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL.

Hands-on experience with Xilinx FPGA development tools (Vivado) and architectures. Experience with Intel/Altera FPGA platforms is a plus. Strong understanding of digital design fundamentals, including: State machines Clock domain crossing Timing analysis Reset architectures Memory interfaces Experience implementing DSP functions in FPGA hardware.

Familiarity with high-speed interfaces such as PCIe, DDR, Ethernet, Aurora, JESD204, or SerDes technologies. Experience with FPGA simulation and verification tools. Proficiency in laboratory debugging and board bring-up activities.

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills. Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline. Experience with scientific instrumentation, measurement systems, or analytical instruments. Knowledge of digital signal processing, control systems, and data acquisition systems.

Experience with embedded Linux environments and ARM-based SoCs. Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, or scripting languages used for test automation. Experience working in regulated or high-reliability product development environments.

Requirements

Drive technical innovation across instrument platforms. Collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.