Project Engineer II - FPGA Lead & Design Engineer

Posted Yesterday
Be an Early Applicant
Westminster, CO, USA
Hybrid
133K-226K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Where purpose connects.
The Role
Leads FPGA development for high-reliability ground, aerospace, and space systems. Responsibilities include FPGA SoC architecture, design, verification, validation, Agile Scrum leadership, Jira backlog management, cost and schedule oversight, risk management, cross-functional coordination, customer communication, and mentoring engineers in VHDL, Verilog, and SystemVerilog. The role also ensures radiation-hardened, flight-qualified electronics meet technical and program requirements.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Description
In this pivotal role, you will serve as both a technical leader and be responsible for cost and schedule, guiding FPGA teams through the architecture, design, test, and validation of systems with multiple high-reliability FPGA applications for ground, aerospace, and space-based systems. You will bridge the gap between complex digital architecture and project execution, ensuring that cutting-edge SoC designs are delivered on cost, schedule, and technical specification.
The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers' missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning, and strong execution.
What You'll Do:
  • Project Leadership & Agile Management
    • Scrum Master Leadership: Act as the Agile Scrum Master for the FPGA development team, facilitating daily stand-ups, sprint planning, sprint reviews, and retrospectives to ensure iterative progress and continuous improvement.
    • Jira Administration: Own the project backlog in Jira; translate high-level system requirements into actionable user stories and tasks, manage sprint velocity and tracking burndown charts to ensure predictable delivery.
    • Programmatic Oversight: Lead the team to deliver on project cost, schedule, and technical requirements, utilizing earned value reporting and risk-based decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
    • Cross-Functional Integration: Lead a team including Electrical Systems, Mechanical Packaging, Circuit Design, Parts & Reliability, Radiation, and Production/Test Engineers.
    • Stakeholder Communication: Provide clear technical and programmatic roadmaps to both internal leadership and external customers (e.g., NASA, DoW, NOAA).
  • Technical Execution & FPGA Design
    • Architectural Leadership: Leading multiple SMEs in architecting complex FPGA SoC designs utilizing AMD (Xilinx) software and IP, focusing on SOC architectures, digital filters, image processing algorithms, and communication protocols balancing technical capability and programmatic needs.
    • Advanced Implementation: Apply innovative design techniques to create high-precision, radiation-hardened electronic systems for space flight applications.
    • Technical Mentorship: Provide technical leadership and roadmaps for future products, guiding junior engineers in VHDL/Verilog and System Verilog implementation.
    • Verification & Quality: Oversee the flow-down of system/subsystem requirements and ensure adherence to rigorous screening and qualification processes for "flight space qualified" electronics.
  • Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
  • Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site three or more days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
Working Conditions:
  • Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
  • May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
  • May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills
  • BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 8 or more years related experience.
  • Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
  • 8 years of related experience in electronic systems development, with a proven track record of leading electronics development teams to meet performance goals.
  • Domain Expertise: Extensive experience in space flight electronics, radiation-hardened environments, and EEE parts for space applications.
#LI-LB3
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
Technical Skills
  • FPGA Toolchain: Proficiency with Xilinx Vivado/Vitis and Mentor Modelsim/Questasim.
  • Languages: Expertise in VHDL, Verilog, and System Verilog.
  • Hardware Knowledge: Strong background in high-speed digital electronics, embedded processor systems, and high-speed interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet).
  • Verification: Experience with OVM/UVM Verification methodologies and SI analysis (e.g., Mentor Graphic Hyperlynx).
Leadership & Soft Skills
  • Agile Proficiency: Demonstrated experience as a Scrum Master or Agile Lead with high-level proficiency in Jira.
  • Management: Experience in cost and schedule management, subcontract management, and resource staffing.
  • Communication: Excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills, with the ability to lead group discussions and deliver high-impact presentations.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for government and commercial customers. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Multiple positions may be available on this opening.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field
  • Degree from an accredited university, college, or school recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
  • Eight or more years of related experience, with higher degrees potentially substituting for experience
  • Eight years of electronic systems development experience
  • Proven experience leading electronics development teams to meet performance goals
  • Extensive experience in space flight electronics
  • Experience with radiation-hardened environments and EEE parts for space applications
  • Proficiency with Xilinx Vivado and Vitis
  • Expertise in VHDL, Verilog, and SystemVerilog
  • Strong background in high-speed digital electronics, embedded processor systems, PCIe, and Ethernet
  • Experience with OVM or UVM verification methodologies
  • Experience with signal integrity analysis tools such as Mentor Graphics HyperLynx
  • Experience as a Scrum Master or Agile Lead and high-level Jira proficiency
  • Experience with cost and schedule management, subcontract management, and resource staffing
  • Excellent interpersonal, conflict management, group discussion, and presentation skills

What the Team is Saying

BAE Systems, Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is broad with medical, dental, and vision options, plus mental health and EAP resources, and U.S. eligibility that can begin quickly. Materials also reference wellbeing programs designed to support employees and their families.
  • Retirement Support — Retirement offerings include a U.S. 401(k) savings plan with company match information highlighted in benefits summaries. Global materials also reference pension contributions in some regions, indicating solid long-term financial support.
  • Parental & Family Support — Programs include paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy assistance, and back-up child and elder care for U.S. employees. Family resources and caregiving support are emphasized across benefit materials.

BAE Systems, Inc. Insights

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Falls Church, VA
40,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1999

What We Do

Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do. As a leading aerospace, defense, and security company, we work together to deliver a full range of products and services for air, land, space, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. How we work is rooted in purpose – a purpose to protect those who protect us, to unite our community of colleagues and customers, and to drive forward the growth and development of our exceptional team members. It's where purpose connects.

Why Work With Us

We believe your career should be filled with innovation and discovery. And that's exactly what you'll find at BAE Systems. As you work to develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills and expand knowledge. On a sharp and collaborative team, you will be challenged – and supported – at every turn.

Gallery

Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery

BAE Systems, Inc. Teams

Team
Space & Mission Systems
Team
Electronic Systems
Team
Intelligence & Security
Team
Platforms & Services
About our Teams

BAE Systems, Inc. Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

As the work place continues to evolve, so do we. Remote and hybrid opportunities are available at BAE Systems depending on the nature of the role. Check your job requisition to learn more.

Typical time on-site: Not Specified
Company Office Image
HQBAE Systems, Inc. headquarters
Annapolis Junction, MD
Company Office Image
Austin, TX
Boulder, CO
Company Office Image
Space & Mission Systems headquarters
Burlington, MA
Cedar Rapids, IA
Dallas, TX
Endicott, NY
Fort Wayne, IN
Greenlawn, NY
Huntsville, AL
Jacksonville, FL
Los Angeles, CA
Maple Grove, MN
Intelligence & Security headquarters
Company Office Image
Electronic Systems headquarters
Redmond, WA
San Diego, CA
San Jose, CA
Company Office Image
Sterling Heights, MI
Washington, DC
Wayne, NJ
Learn more

Similar Jobs

BAE Systems, Inc. Logo BAE Systems, Inc.

Fault Management, Space Vehicle Systems Engineering Intern, Summer 2027

Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Hybrid
Broomfield, CO, USA
40000 Employees
27-36 Hourly

BAE Systems, Inc. Logo BAE Systems, Inc.

Operations Specialist

Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Hybrid
Aurora, CO, USA
40000 Employees
118K-201K Annually

BAE Systems, Inc. Logo BAE Systems, Inc.

Fault Management, Space Vehicle Systems Engineering Intern, Summer 2027

Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Hybrid
Westminster, CO, USA
40000 Employees
27-36 Hourly

BAE Systems, Inc. Logo BAE Systems, Inc.

Fault Management, Space Vehicle Systems Engineering Intern, Summer 2027

Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Hybrid
Boulder, CO, USA
40000 Employees
27-36 Hourly

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account