Introduction

We are looking for an innovative and driven FPGA Embedded Engineer to join our world-class engineering team. As part of our mission to build the world's best semiconductors in space, you will play a crucial role in designing cutting-edge space systems, with complete ownership of designing, verifying, and testing space hardware.

About SPHERICAL

SPHERICAL is transforming semiconductor chip design using agile techniques and model-based engineering approaches. We leverage advancements in software and machine learning to empower engineers while significantly increasing productivity by 10x. Our mission is to create high-quality electronics tailored for the space industry, including power products, with plans to expand into RF/communications and computation in the future.

About the Role

We are seeking an FPGA Embedded Engineer to develop high-reliability FPGA solutions for power and control systems in space applications. This role involves designing, implementing, and verifying FPGA architectures for radiation-hardened systems, ensuring robust and efficient power and control for satellites, spacecraft, and deep-space missions.

Key Responsibilities & Qualifications

Core FPGA Development & Implementation

• Develop and implement FPGA-based architectures for space-grade power management systems.
• Design, simulate, and verify FPGA logic using (System)Verilog.
• Optimize digital designs for radiation tolerance, power efficiency, and reliability.
• Implement fault-tolerant and redundancy techniques to ensure FPGA resilience in space environments.
• Hands-on experience with FPGAs, such as Lattice and Xilinx.
• Implement new RTL modules for digital control techniques, including verification and modelling with Python (CocoTB).
• Work with FPGA timing, placement constraints, and scripting (TCL, Bash) for efficient hardware implementation.

Integration with Power Electronics & Embedded Systems

• Interface FPGAs with power electronics, DC-DC converters, battery management systems, and motor actuators.
• Work closely with power electronics engineers, embedded software teams, and space system architects to define system requirements.
• Develop and debug hardware/software co-designs, integrating FPGA logic with RISC-V soft-cores and embedded software in C.
• Code amendments in C alongside low-level device driver development for FPGA-based systems.
• Conduct board bring-up of the FPGA-based SoC, getting it to boot and integrate with bare metal and RTOS.

Verification, Testing & Aerospace Standards Compliance

• Conduct FPGA synthesis, place & route, timing analysis, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing.
• Develop and execute verification and validation test plans for space qualification and mission reliability.
• Perform Digital Verification using CocoTB with CI (Continuous Integration) self checking tests.
• Support radiation testing and reliability analysis for FPGA-based systems in space environments.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace industry standards such as ECSS.

Communication & High-Speed Interfaces

• Implement serial communication protocols such as SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, SPI, and I2C for spacecraft data handling.
• Strong knowledge of AXI4/AXI4-Lite, UART, and SPI protocols for embedded system interfacing.

Programming & System-Level Expertise

• Strong programming skills in C, C++, Python, and experience with Tcl for FPGA tool automation.
• Experience with Linux OS, including embedded Linux for FPGA-based systems.
• Knowledge of SOC/IP integration for complex embedded processors (e.g., ARM, RISC-V, CPU, GPU).
• Algorithm development & computer arithmetic experience, including Matlab/Simulink and SystemC modeling.
• Experience with Git/Github for version control and collaborative development.

Programming & System-Level Expertise

• Familiarity with FPGA Integrated Logic Analyzer probes for real-time debugging.
• General knowledge of synthesis, DFT, silicon debug, and emulation methodologies.
• Experience with testing, validation, and formal verification methodologies for FPGA reliability in space.
• Experience with interface/API development for system integration.
• Experience with RTL design, RTL coding, and digital hardware design for optimized FPGA architectures.

What We Offer

• Innovative Opportunity: Revolutionise satellite system design using a system-driven IC design approach in the space industry
• Strong Growth Trajectory: Join a well-funded and fast-growing startup backed by private venture capital and the European Space Agency.
• Expert Team: Collaborate with ambitious, skilled, and experienced co-founders with strong technical and commercial backgrounds in satellite and semiconductor technology.
• Empowered Environment: Take a leading role in an environment that encourages initiative and supports reshaping industry paradigms.

Practicalities

• Full time
• Based in Schiedamsedijk 39 (beside Metro Beurs in the city centre), Rotterdam, NL
• Hybrid working environment, min. 1 day/week onsite to build strong team dynamic, focused work from home possible other days

Important!

If you're a passionate FPGA Embedded Engineer and eager to contribute to innovative projects in the space industry, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Studies have shown that women and other marginalized groups apply to jobs only when they meet 100% of the qualifications. However, at SPHERICAL, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive workplace and encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement.