Altera is seeking an FPGA Development Tools Engineer to design, develop, and enhance the next generation of FPGA software development tools. In this role, you will work on industry-leading toolchains that enable customers to efficiently design, simulate, compile, debug, and optimize FPGA-based systems.
You will collaborate closely with architecture, RTL, verification, and customer-facing teams to deliver high-performance, scalable, and user-friendly FPGA development solutions.
ResponsibilitiesDevelop and maintain FPGA development tools including synthesis, place-and-route, timing analysis, debugging, and simulation workflows
Enhance and support Altera’s FPGA software toolchain (e.g., Quartus, platform designer, and associated utilities)
Design algorithms and data structures for performance, scalability, and correctness across large FPGA devices
Work with hardware architects to align tool capabilities with new FPGA features and architectures
Develop C/C++ and/or Python-based infrastructure and automation supporting FPGA design flows
Debug complex issues across software and hardware boundaries
Optimize compilation runtime, quality-of-results (QoR), and memory usage
Contribute to tool usability, documentation, and customer-facing improvements
Support internal and external users, including escalation of critical tool issues
Participate in code reviews, design discussions, and continuous improvement initiatives
The pay range below is for Bay Area California only. Actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including job location, job-related knowledge, skills, experiences, trainings, etc. We also offer incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance.
$113.7K - $164.7K USD
We use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for the position. Applicants must be eligible for any required U.S. export authorizations.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
Strong experience with FPGA design flows and development tools
Proficiency in C/C++ (required); Python experience strongly preferred
Solid understanding of digital logic design, timing, and hardware architecture
Experience with HDL languages (Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL)
Familiarity with synthesis, timing analysis, and place-and-route concepts
Experience working in large, complex software codebases
Strong problem-solving and debugging skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience developing or maintaining FPGA or EDA tools
Knowledge of Quartus, Platform Designer, or comparable FPGA tools
Experience with EDA algorithms (graph algorithms, optimization, constraint solving)
Familiarity with ASIC or FPGA timing closure methodologies
Experience with multi-threaded and high-performance software
Knowledge of scripting (Tcl, Python) used in hardware design automation
Experience working directly with customers or field applications teams
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
- Strong experience with FPGA design flows and development tools
- Proficiency in C/C++
- Solid understanding of digital logic design, timing, and hardware architecture
- Experience with HDL languages (Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL)
- Familiarity with synthesis, timing analysis, and place-and-route concepts
- Experience working in large, complex software codebases
- Strong problem-solving and debugging skills
- Experience developing or maintaining FPGA or EDA tools
- Knowledge of Quartus, Platform Designer, or comparable FPGA tools
- Experience with EDA algorithms
- Familiarity with ASIC or FPGA timing closure methodologies
- Experience with multi-threaded and high-performance software
- Knowledge of scripting (Tcl, Python) used in hardware design automation
- Experience working directly with customers or field applications teams
Altera (altera.com) Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Altera (altera.com) and has not been reviewed or approved by Altera (altera.com).
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Retirement Support — Feedback suggests retirement programs are robust, with offerings such as a 401(k) and a pension. This breadth supports long-term financial security.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Feedback suggests time-off policies are generous, including PTO, paid sick days, and paid holidays. Wellness initiatives like gym memberships further support balance.
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Parental & Family Support — Feedback suggests parental leave is generous. Family-building support, including fertility benefits and adoption reimbursement, is highlighted as part of the package.
Altera (altera.com) Insights
What We Do
Altera: Accelerating Innovators Altera provides leadership programmable solutions that are easy-to-use and deploy in applications from cloud to edge, offering limitless AI possibilities. Our end-to-end broad portfolio of products including FPGAs, CPLDs, Intellectual Property, development tools, System on Modules, SmartNICs and IPUs provide the flexibility to accelerate innovation. Altera is helping to shape the future through pioneering innovation that unlocks extraordinary possibilities for everyone on the planet.
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