Senior FPGA Engineer I/II

Senior Firmware Engineer I/II

Based at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Senior Firmware Engineer I/II will participate in the development and test of avionics hardware for our robotics programs. You will work collaboratively with engineers of various disciplines and participate in all aspects of electrical hardware development, from requirements definition through design, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and production. As an engineer on the robotics development team, you will have frequent opportunities to test and operate your systems on-orbit. We're looking for people who are passionate about robotics electrical hardware design, with a willingness to learn in a fast‑paced environment.

What You'll Get to Do

• End‑to‑end ownership of IP and algorithms for robotics and motor control applications.
• Work with an interdisciplinary team on requirements and documentation.
• Complete FPGA logic design, coding, simulation, and testing.
• Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis.
• Debug hardware in the lab using logic analyzers and oscilloscopes.
• Support hardware and software development teams with verification and validation.
• Develop FPGA test firmware and support automated test equipment (ATE) for production.
• Provide subject‑matter expertise regarding debug, design, and automated test development.
• Perform research and analysis of data, such as customer proposed specifications, datasheets, or manuals to determine design approach and/or feasibility.

You’ll Bring These Qualifications As Senior Firmware Engineer I

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or equivalent discipline with 5+ years of experience.
• 5+ years of experience in FPGA firmware design with Verilog, specifically creating IP from scratch.
• Able to develop "blank sheet of paper" design concepts.
• Experience in motor control applications.
• Experience in analog signal chains including an FPGA.
• Proficiency in FPGA verification and validation.
• Experience with software interfaces.
• Interrupts and DMA.
• Familiarity with AXI Memory‑Mapped interfaces.

You’ll Bring These Qualifications As Senior Firmware Engineer II

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or equivalent discipline with 8+ years of experience.
• 5+ years of experience in FPGA firmware design with Verilog, specifically creating IP from scratch.
• Able to develop "blank sheet of paper" design concepts.
• Experience in motor control applications.
• Experience in analog signal chains including an FPGA.
• Proficiency in FPGA verification and validation.
• Experience with software interfaces.
• Interrupts and DMA.
• Familiarity with AXI Memory‑Mapped interfaces.

These Qualifications Would Be Nice to Have

• Experience implementing real‑time control, signal processing, data acquisition, machine vision, or sensor‑interface algorithms in FPGA fabric.
• Experience with Field‑Oriented Control.
• Experience with FPGAs and embedded systems in a radiation environment, including SEU/SEL impact and mitigation.
• Experience with board bring‑up and debug utilizing logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.
• Experience with FPGA with single precision floating point math.
• PCB design and schematic capture and layout with tools such as Altium Designer.
• Experience with Librero.
• Experience with modeling systems such as Simulink.
• Familiarity with C, Python, or MATLAB and/or experience translating algorithms from a scripted language to HDL.

Physical Demands

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$143,300 - $238,700 USD

Benefits

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include: discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

Welcome to Rocket Lab

We are on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible.

Required for US Offices Only

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or be lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. Learn more about ITAR here.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.