FPGA Design Engineer

Engineers are the reason we exist—they’re the core of who we are. Embark on a journey with EXB Solutions at the forefront of technological innovation as we seek talented Engineers to shape the future of cutting-edge projects and contribute to a culture of excellence and creativity. What we do matters. Halcyon Labs Systems & Solutions is seeking an FPGA Design Engineer to support the development of safety-critical digital systems for aerospace applications. This role will involve VHDL design, simulation, synthesis, place and route support, timing analysis, troubleshooting, and the development of DO-254 related documentation. The selected engineer will contribute to requirements-based FPGA design activities, including design specifications, requirements updates, traceability documentation, design descriptions, and verification support. This is a highly collaborative role, but it also requires someone who is self-motivated, proactive, and able to work through technical challenges independently. This opportunity is remote with travel up to 20% as needed to Cedar Rapids, IA. The project is expected to run approximately 5 months with the possibility of extension. U.S. citizenship or U.S. Permanent Resident is required. This is a temporary hourly position with the potential for extension or conversion to a regular full-time salaried position based on business needs, performance, and available opportunities. Conversion is not guaranteed. Key Responsibilities: Develop and support FPGA designs using VHDL for safety-critical aerospace applications. Implement and modify RTL designs supporting communication protocols, memory interfaces, data management, processor interfaces, and related digital functions. Perform FPGA design activities including simulation, synthesis, place and route support, timing closure, pin-out definition, and design constraint development. Troubleshoot RTL design issues using simulation environments, debug tools, and structured root cause analysis. Support I/O timing analysis and resolve timing-related design challenges. Develop and maintain DO-254 related documentation, including requirements, design descriptions, design specifications, traceability documentation, and supporting verification artifacts. Collaborate with systems, hardware, verification, and project engineering teams to ensure design intent, requirements, and implementation remain aligned. Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field. 5+ years of relevant FPGA design experience in aerospace, defense, avionics, or another safety-critical engineering environment. Strong hands-on experience developing FPGA designs using VHDL. Experience with RTL design, simulation, synthesis, implementation, place and route, and timing closure. Ability to implement and support FPGA functions related to communication protocols, memory interfaces, data management, processor interfaces, or similar digital design applications. Experience developing and applying FPGA design constraints, pin-out assignments, routing considerations, and I/O timing analysis. Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot RTL design flaws using simulation environments and structured debug/root cause analysis methods. Working knowledge of digital systems, FPGA design methodologies, testing practices, and hardware/software or system-level integration. Prior experience working within a DO-254 development environment. Experience developing or supporting DO-254 documentation, including requirements, design descriptions, design specifications, and traceability documentation. Familiarity with requirements-based design practices in safety-critical or regulated development environments. Preferred Qualifications: Experience developing FPGA designs for avionics, aerospace, defense, or other safety-critical applications. Familiarity with DAL-A design practices, certification expectations, and requirements-based design methodology. Working knowledge of FAA AC 20-152A guidance or similar safety-critical compliance standards. Experience supporting design reviews, documentation audits, or certification-related engineering activities. Experience with FPGA design for communication protocols, memory interfaces, processor interfaces, or data management functions. Strong understanding of timing closure, I/O timing analysis, design constraints, and FPGA implementation challenges. Experience collaborating with distributed or remote engineering teams. Ability to quickly come up to speed on an existing design, identify issues, and contribute solutions within a short-term project environment. Experience in the adoption and/or integration of emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement. The QDSS Advantage: At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build l