Job Information
Vector Atomic Senior FPGA Engineer in Pleasanton, California
About Vector Atomic
Vector Atomic is a cutting-edge technology company specializing in the development of quantum devices for various applications. Our mission is to leverage the incredible properties of quantum systems to create innovative solutions that address real-world challenges. From GPS-free navigation and geophysical exploration to telecommunications, our goal is to revolutionize industries with our quantum technology.
At Vector Atomic, we have a team-oriented environment that promotes collaboration and innovation. We value creativity, passion, and a drive for excellence in our employees. If you are excited about being at the forefront of quantum technology and working in a dynamic, fast-paced company, Vector Atomic is the place for you!
Position Summary
We are seeking a Senior FPGA Engineer to join our team and contribute to the development of the next generation of quantum technology. In this role, you will be responsible for designing and implementing FPGA-based controllers for our quantum sensors. While initially focused on research and development, the ultimate objective is to transition to commercial devices. The ideal candidate is a strong individual contributor who can take ownership of their tasks while also supporting the overall team goals.
Requirements
Responsibilities
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of physicists, electronics engineers, and optical designers to define requirements and select FPGA/SoC parts
Assist in the design of custom PCBs based on modern FPGA/SoC devices
Identify and address critical design issues to ensure robust board layouts
Create RTL, test benches, and EDA support files to meet performance goals
Contribute to board bring-up and integration of FPGA-based electronics, including validation through test scripts and documentation
Requirements
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience for candidates with a BSEE/MSEE degree, or a minimum of 7 years for candidates with related technical degrees
US export control laws requires "U.S. Persons" including US citizens (born or naturalized), lawful permanent residents, and certain categories of refugees, and asylees
Comfortable working in a laboratory environment
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Expertise in HDL coding (Verilog and/or VHDL) for synthesizable RTL and verification
Experience with EDA tools such as Vivado and/or Quartus for FPGA design
Strong understanding of fixed-point digital signal processing in RTL designs
Familiarity with laboratory test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, logic analyzers, etc.)
Ability to assist hardware engineers in designing PCBs for Xilinx and/or Altera FPGA/SoCs
Proficiency in writing physical and timing constraints (SDC) for high clock rate FPGAs
Knowledge of industry-standard communication protocols (SPI, I2C, AXI, Avalon, Ethernet, AMBA, Wishbone)
Experience with scripting for EDA tools, preferably TCL or Python
Understanding of practical RTL design issues (latency, jitter, metastable behavior, hold/setup time, multicycle paths)
Proficient in revision control and issue tracking tools (e.g., Git, Jira)
Additional Preferred Qualifications
Experience with SoC designs, such as Zynq, Ultrascale, and/or Arria
Knowledge of formal verification techniques (PSL, SystemVerilog, UVVM, UVM, OVM)
Understanding of embedded Linux on ARM, UBoot, and device trees
Familiarity with embedded TCP/IP stacks on SoCs, such as lwIP and/or embedded Linux
Proficiency in Altium for PCB design
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.