Principal Hardware Architect & Engineering Manager

DEG Careers – Principal Hardware Architect & Engineering Manager

Location: Irvine, CA

Employment Type: Full-time

Reports To: CEO / Executive Leadership

Role Summary

The Principal Hardware Architect & Engineering Manager is the senior technical and execution authority for DEG’s FPGA-based hardware platforms. This role combines hands‑on hardware architecture and board‑level design with direct management of the hardware and FPGA engineering function.

This position owns:

• Hardware system architecture
• Hardware ↔ FPGA integration
• Engineering execution, priorities, and delivery

This is not a pure people‑management role and not a layout‑only role. It is a hands‑on technical leadership position with real accountability.

Core Responsibilities

System & Hardware Architecture

• Define system‑level hardware architecture for PCIe, FMC/FMC+, and VPX platforms
• Architect high‑speed data acquisition and playback systems
• Select and qualify key technologies (FPGAs, ADCs/DACs, clocking subsystems)
• Define PCIe Gen4/Gen5 hardware architecture and throughput strategy
• Establish hardware design standards reused across product families
• Own technical tradeoffs involving performance, risk, cost, and schedule

Board‑Level Hardware Design

• Own complete board designs from concept through production release
• Drive schematic capture for FPGA subsystems, high‑speed serial interfaces, memory, power and clocking
• Define PCB stackups, routing constraints, and SI/PI requirements
• Work directly with PCB designers to ensure correct implementation
• Lead board bring‑up, debug, and validation
• Resolve cross‑discipline hardware issues (hardware ↔ FPGA ↔ test)
• Define FPGA‑facing hardware architecture (JESD204 topology, clock domains, reset strategy, PCIe interfaces)
• Review FPGA designs for hardware compatibility and system correctness
• Collaborate with FPGA engineers on interface definition and partitioning
• Ensure hardware supports FPGA timing, clocking, and throughput needs

This role requires architectural understanding of FPGA systems, not day‑to‑day RTL development.

• Directly manage hardware and FPGA engineers (employees and contractors)
• Own engineering priorities, schedules, and resource allocation
• Balance new development, sustaining engineering, and customer‑driven work
• Lead design reviews, release decisions, and technical risk assessments
• Set expectations for design quality, documentation, and release discipline
• Coordinate engineering work across hardware, FPGA, software, and test
• Act as the escalation point for technical and execution issues

Technical Leadership & External Interface

• Serve as the final technical authority for hardware decisions
• Mentor engineers and enforce engineering standards
• Interface with customers on deep technical topics when required
• Support proposal development and technical responses
• Preserve technical continuity across product generations

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years experience in complex digital and mixed‑signal hardware design
• Proven ownership of complete board designs
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams or technical groups
• Deep expertise in PCIe, SERDES, JESD204B/C systems, clocking and power architecture
• Working knowledge of FPGA architecture sufficient to guide integration
• Strong bring‑up and debug experience
• Comfortable making final technical and execution decisions
• U.S. Person (citizenship or permanent residency)

Preferred Experience

• AMD/Xilinx UltraScale+ or Versal platforms
• Wideband ADC/DAC or Direct RF systems
• Defense or aerospace programs
• Small‑team, high‑ownership environments
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package:
  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Retirement plan with employer matching.
  • Paid time off
• Exciting projects with the potential to make a significant impact in the field of electronic design.
• A collaborative and inclusive team culture that values creativity, initiative, and technical excellence.

Delphi Engineering Group is a military and aerospace manufacturer requiring strict adherence to ITAR requirements. As a condition of employment applicants must provide proof of US Citizenship (no green cards or visas).