Senior Firmware Engineer I (FPGA) at Rocket Lab Corporation

Chantilly, Virginia, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

30 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

30 Dec, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

FPGA Design, Digital Firmware Design, Embedded Systems, C Programming, Python, MATLAB, Debugging, Timing Analysis, Project Management, Team Leadership, Mentoring, Systems Engineering, Image Processing Algorithms, PCB Design, Schematic Capture, Altium Designer

Industry

Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

Description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. SPACE SYSTEMS At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions. SENIOR FIRMWARE ENGINEER I Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains. As a Senior Firmware Engineer I based at our Optical Systems sites in Chantilly, VA, you will have the opportunity to support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) using the latest FPGA technologies including Xilinx to support advanced Electro-Optical (EO/IR) technology. WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO Work with the hardware design team on requirements. Complete FPGA logic design, coding, simulation, and testing. Support hardware and software development teams in bring-up and test of products. Provide subject-matter expertise regarding design and automated test development procedures to customers and production support team. Perform research and analysis of data, such as customer proposed specifications, datasheets, or manuals to determine design approach and/or feasibility. Execute debugging of the design in the lab. Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis. YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR FIRMWARE ENGINEER I: Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering or equivalent discipline with 5-8 years of experience Experience in digital firmware design Ability to obtain and maintain an U.S. Government Security Clearance THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: Ability to obtain and maintain the necessary level of US Government security clearance per customer requirements Experience with FPGAs and embedded systems in a radiation environment, including SEU/SEL impact and mitigation Experience in both creating IP from scratch in RTL, and integrating existing IP into RTL and block designs Familiarity with C, Python or MATLAB and/or experience translating algorithms from a scripted language to HDL Experience with software interfaces including interrupts and DMA Experience in project management, team leadership, and/or mentoring Experience with systems engineering methods including systems trades, requirements management, performance characterization, and interface management Experience with DDR4, Aurora, and high-speed transceiver design and verification Familiarity with AXI Stream and AXI Memory Mapped interfaces Embedded C/C++ software development for ARM processors and MCUs over the full stack including Linux Experience in FPGA- or ASIC-based image processing algorithms Ability to work under pressure and adhere to tight deadlines Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships PCB design and schematic capture and layout with tools such as Altium Designer An ownership outlook with the desire to build lasting systems and a willingness to identify gaps, develop plans to address them, and engage stakeholders to fill them. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing Must be physically able to commute to buildings WHAT TO EXPECT We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way. Important information: FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN 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 (i.e., current Green Card holder), or 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, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here. 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. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days. FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY: For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

Responsibilities

As a Senior Firmware Engineer I, you will work with the hardware design team on requirements, complete FPGA logic design, coding, simulation, and testing. You will also support hardware and software development teams in the bring-up and testing of products.