FPGA Lead Engineer - FSO

FPGA Lead Engineer - FSO
Delft Engineering Lead / senior

Imagine a world where data flows instantly between earth and space, providing real-time access to life-saving services and strengthening global security with unbreakable communication lines. This is the future we are building. Are you a proactive team player with experience in FPGA design who likes to work in multidisciplinary teams on a variety of different products? Then you are the engineer we’re looking for!

About Demcon

FSO Instruments is at the forefront of developing advanced laser satellite communication technology. Together with our partners and shareholders we are committed to strengthening the Dutch space industry and pushing the boundaries of communication systems to enable faster, more reliable, and secure connections between satellites, airplanes, drones and ground stations. By pushing the boundaries of what is achievable, we are shaping the future of space communication, both locally and globally. FSO Instruments is a Joint Venture between DEMCON and VDL that develops and manufactures optical-communication components, sub-systems, and terminals. FSO Instruments combines the strengths of DEMCON and VDL ETG, inspired by TNO technologies, to let laser satellite communication take the step towards industrialization. We have strong heritage in Semiconductor and Aerospace, and bring this to optical communications:

• Developing and engineering of laser communication terminals
• Modular and Standardized functional (sub-)systems for laser communication
• High tech contract manufacturing expertise for cost-effective high-volume production.

At FSO Instruments we work closely with dedicated partners for development and supply, as well as with our parent companies to ensure we achieve the most competitive products for the market for optical communications in space.

What are you going to do?

As an FPGA lead engineer, you take ownership of the FPGA design work within our development projects, and you will be the key technical interface towards our FPGA industry partners. The work includes activities such as the following:

• Architect, design and implement scalable FPGA solutions
• Lead cross-functional technical initiatives together with the system architects, the electronics and embedded software teams to bring the product architecture to the next level
• Own the FPGA lifecycle: architecture, design, simulation, synthesis, timing closure, bring-up and product integration and test.
• Develop reusable IP blocks and interfaces and maintain a modular FPGA infrastructure
• Act as a key technical interface towards our industry partners working on parts of our product firmware.
• Help to build and lead a best-in-class FPGA competence team; growing the team as well as continuing to work closely with our industry partners

As a core discipline, the lead FPGA engineer is involved from the specification and concept phases onward. This is where your conceptual and analytical skills make a difference. You will work in multidisciplinary teams with system architects, other engineering disciplines, external development partners, and customers to develop the best solutions. Clear communication and strong collaboration are therefore essential to achieving the results we aim for.

What do you bring to the table?

• Completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related technical field.
• You have a minimum 7 years of experience as an FPGA engineer.
• Deep expertise in VHDL, simulation and scripting (i.e. Python, TCL)
• Proven track record in designing and implementing signal processing systems with low jitter, low phase noise, and high signal fidelity
• Good understanding of timing analysis, clock domain crossing, and high-speed interfaces
• Hands-on experience with board bring-up, debugging tools (oscilloscopes and logic analyzers)
• Experience with integrating FPGA development in automated test setups
• Experience working in a product development environment on new product introductions.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience in growing a FPGA team, guiding students and new employees and working closely with the manager engineering in creating a best-in-class team.

What do we offer you?

At FSO Instruments we have a ‘flat’ organization where people can easily find and help each other. We value a comfortable and inclusive workplace. There is a lot of emphasis put on personal needs and we discourage overtime, because we know how important work-life balance is. Furthermore, you can count on, among other things:

• A good, market-based salary;
• 31 days off and 8% vacation allowance;
• Possibility to work from home, maximum 2 days a week.
• A good pension plan at Zwitserleven;
• The opportunity to follow training and courses, or externally, so you can further develop your knowledge;
• A laptop and mobile phone from work;
• Bicycle plan.