Principal FPGA Engineer

Date Posted:

2026-07-06

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-AL-HUNTSVILLE-315 ~ 315 Bob Heath Dr ~ BOB HEATH

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling - to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today's mission and stay ahead of tomorrow's threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.

The Effector Subsystems Products (ESP) department develops electronics for weapon system products. We engage at the outset of the weapon system development and follow our designs through deployment. Our products are deployed all over the world, from the ground to exoatmospheric environments and into space. We are responsible for the architecture, design, and documentation of deliverable FPGA embedded processing at Raytheon. 

In this role as a Principal FPGA Engineer, you will lead development of FPGA designs for all major vendors and device families including AMD/Xilinx, Altera, and Microchip. Designs commonly support the following applications: gigabit serial interfaces, Radio Frequency (RF) and Electro-Optical (EO) DSP, controls, data links, embedded processing, and processor interfaces. Designers collaborate with circuit card designers and systems engineers to develop requirements, architecture, modeling of algorithms, partitioning, code development, simulation, and place and route. Designs are verified against requirements using both directed test and constrained random methodologies. Design support is expected from requirements definition through production release. Design documentation and configuration management are required. 

What You Will Do

• Design and deliver production quality FPGA releases from initial proof of concept up to production 

• Work cooperatively with systems, hardware, software engineers, and program management to ensure product success 

• Lead FPGA-based systems architecture, and designs to include determination of parts, interfaces  

• Design and code in VHDL for reliability, maintainability, reviewability and reusability 

• Verify designs utilizing self-checking techniques with directed and constrained random tests, while tracking functional and code coverage  

• Solve problems that are numerous and typically undefined where information is difficult to obtain 

• Establish processes and operational plans for projects 

• Create complete documentation including requirements, verification plan, user’s guides and configuration management.  

• Design support from requirements definition through integration and test 

• Translate system level requirements into FPGA requirements  

• Perform and participate in internal and external technical reviews 

• Independently drive projects and execute to program schedules and budget 

• May lead large integrated or cross product teams on moderate to large multi-year programs 

Qualification You Must Have 

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience

• Experience architecting FPGA-based systems to determine parts, interfaces 

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in at least 7 of the following categories: 

• Digital Design and HDL coding targeting configurable logic devices 

• Experience in delivering FPGA solutions to system level applications 

• Experience in one or more brands of (Altera, Lattice, Microchip, AMD) FPGA devices and associated tools 

• Experience with integration and debug of electronics using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, etc. 

• Experience with FPGA timing constraints and timing closure 

• Experience with digital simulation such as Questa, RivieraPro or similar tools 

• Experience with industry standard interfaces and protocols such as AXI, PCIe, SPI, I2C, etc. 

• Experience with Python or C programming 

• Experience working with Intellectual Property (IP) Cores 

Qualifications We Prefer 

• Radar processing techniques 

• Image processing techniques for visual and infrared sensors 

• Gigabit serial interfaces and multi-gigabit transceivers (MGTs) 

• Experience with embedded processor and System on a Chip development for FPGA devices 

• Knowledge of embedded systems design using Microblaze, Nios or ARM processors a strong plus 

• FPGA design experience using a Linux-based development environment highly desired 

• Knowledge of git and GitHub 

• Knowledge of encryption/decryption standards such as AES, RSA, ECC, etc. 

• Embedded systems design using ARM processors 

• Verification utilizing hardware platforms 

• System level FPGA requirements specification and architecture development 

• Ability to identify links and potential impact on projects, programs, or systems 

• Cross-discipline knowledge such as software, systems, modeling, etc. 

• Highly motivated, high performers with a strong desire to learn and contribute in a fast-paced team environment 

• Self-directed – Able to complete tasks with minimum oversight 

• Practical knowledge of project management 

• Familiarity with the Linux environment and commands 

• Experience in a leadership role such as team lead, technical lead, project lead, etc. 

• Proposal experience to include basis of estimate generation, resource identification, and constraint-based program schedule planning 

• MS or Ph.D. in Electrical or Computer Engineering 

What We Offer 

Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation. 

Huntsville, Alabama, earned the nickname "ROCKET CITY" for its close association with U.S. space research since 1950. RTX has been here since the early years, having launched its Huntsville operations as the Raytheon Company in 1948. Some of the brightest minds in aerospace and defense call it home. Can you see yourself here? 

This role is 100% onsite and qualifies for relocation assistance 

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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