Senior FPGA/RFSoc Designer

About Vector Atomic

Vector Atomic is building quantum devices for applications including GPS-free navigation and timing, geophysical exploration, and telecommunications. We are focused on delivering near-term products that take advantage of the exquisite properties of quantum systems. Our devices are designed with the form, fit, function, and cost for the real world.

We are seeking a Senior FPGA/RFSoc Designer interested in developing the next generation of quantum technology. This hands-on role will support the development of controllers for a new generation of quantum sensors. Initially, work will be R&D-focused, but the ultimate goal is to deliver commercial devices. Ideal candidates are strong individual contributors that take ownership of their tasks while supporting overall team goals.

Our rapidly growing team of 50 plus brings an innovative but practical approach to developing quantum devices. If you'd like to work on transformational technologies in a dynamic, team-oriented environment, come join our team!

Requirements

What You'll Do:

• Work with a cross-functional team of physicists, electronics engineers and optical designers to create next-generation quantum instruments.
• Write RTL, test-bench, and EDA support files to meet performance requirements for the latest FPGAs including RFSoCs.
• Assist hardware designers with FPGA/SoC part selection (along with support ICs such as memory, power supplies and Interface ICs).
• Assist hardware engineers on custom PCBs designs for the latest RFSoC FPGAs.
• Assist with board “bring-up” and integration of custom FPGA-based electronics; develop test scripts and documentation to assist with validation of both the hardware and RTL. 
• Collaborate with software engineers and provide support and technical guidance as they program and interact with your RTL. 
• Document your work and support issue tracking software.

What We're Looking For:

• BSEE/MSEE Degree with 3 years of related work experience. Other technical degrees will be considered, with 5+ years of directly relevant experience.
• US export control laws require “U.S. persons” including U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), lawful permanent residents, and certain categories of refugees, and asylees.
• Must be comfortable working in a laboratory environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and collaborators, both written and verbal.

Required Expertise:

• HDL coding (Verilog, VHDL and/or SystemVerilog) for synthesizable RTL and verification. 
• Verification of complex RTL designs using Modelsim or vendor-supplied simulations tools.
• Background with RFSoCs preferable AMD/Xilinx Ultrascale+ ICs.
• Skilled user of FPGA EDA Design tools preferably Vivado.
• Writing physical and timing constraints (SDC) for timing closure for FPGAs with very fast clock rates.
• Scripting for EDA tool management, preferably TCL
• Advance RTL coding methods for issues such as latency, jitter, metastable behavior, hold/setup time, clock domains, fanout and multicycle decimation. 
• Writing custom IP blocks for interaction with internal/external AD/DA converters
• Revision control and issue tracking tools (e.g., git and Jira)

Nice-to-Have Expertise:

• Formal verification techniques, PSL, SystemVerilog, UVVM, UVM or OVM
• Coding FPGA design with JESD-204 interfaces for high-speed converters.
• Laboratory test and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, pulse generators, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers
• Industry standard communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, AXI, Avalon, Ethernet, AMBA, Wishbone
• Fixed-point digital signal processing in RTL designs. 
• Simulation of DSP algorithms and conversion to bit-true RTL implementations. 
• Able to perform ground-up configuration of EDA tools for new FPGA designs.

Benefits

At Vector Atomic we value teamwork, open and honest discourse, and work-life balance. We are an employee-owned company with competitive compensation and benefits including:

• Platinum-level family health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
• Health and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employer 401(k) contributions
• 20 days of paid time off / 10 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Stock ownership plan
• Fully stocked kitchen

Pay Range

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, performance bonus, benefits, and equity. The pay range for this position is $125,000 to $175,000 including annual bonus. It's atypical to be hired at the top end of this range for the role, as actual pay is based on several factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience level.

Vector Atomic is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law.

Vector Atomic does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies in response to job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers or HR team.