Senior FPGA engineer

About Starbird AI

Starbird AI develops advanced defense technologies focused on GPS-denied navigation and autonomous systems. We combine cutting-edge hardware, signal processing, and AI-driven algorithms to enable reliable operation in the most challenging RF environments — where traditional navigation systems fail.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Senior FPGA Engineer to join our hardware team and contribute across the full development cycle — from architecture and RTL design through integration, testing, and debugging. You'll work closely with hardware, embedded, and signal processing engineers on Xilinx UltraScale+ and Versal platforms at the core of our product line.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement FPGA logic for high-performance signal processing and navigation applications
• Work across the full development cycle: task planning, RTL implementation, verification, lab bring-up, and debugging
• Design and integrate high-speed interfaces including PCIe, LVDS, SPI, I2C, JESD204C, and GT-based serial links
• Collaborate with embedded, hardware, and system teams to ensure seamless HW/SW/FPGA integration
• Contribute to timing closure, resource optimization, and design reviews
• Support hardware debugging and documentation throughout the project lifecycle
  
  

Requirements

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of hands-on FPGA design experience
• Experience with Xilinx/AMD UltraScale+ or Versal, including SoC PL/PS co-design
• Proficiency with Vivado and Vitis toolchains
• Strong understanding of AXI4 / AXI4-Stream protocols and high-speed interface design
• Background in digital signal processing for FPGA applications
• Experience with lab equipment and hardware debugging
• Able to work independently within a team environment across the full development stack
  
  

Advantages

• Experience with JESD204C or JESD204B ADC interfaces
• Familiarity with Xilinx Versal / AI Engine (AIE)
• Embedded PS software experience (bare-metal or RTOS on ARM Cortex-A)
• Background in defense, aerospace, robotics, or autonomous systems