Senior Engineer, FPGA

Senior Engineer, FPGA

Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite)
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Director of Hardware Engineering

Picarro is a global leader in precision measurement technology, developing advanced analytical instruments based on Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS). Our solutions enable customers worldwide to measure greenhouse gases, environmental pollutants, industrial process gases, and isotopic compositions with unmatched sensitivity and accuracy.

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior FPGA Engineer to join our engineering team and contribute to the development of next-generation analytical instruments and embedded platforms.

Position Summary

The Senior FPGA Engineer will play a critical role in the design, development, and verification of FPGA-based systems used in Picarro's high-performance analytical instruments. This individual will collaborate closely with hardware, firmware, systems, and software engineers to develop robust digital designs that enable precise signal acquisition, processing, control, and communication.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in FPGA architecture, digital signal processing, high-speed interfaces, and embedded system development, along with a strong desire to solve complex engineering challenges.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement FPGA architectures for advanced instrumentation platforms.
• Develop RTL code using Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL.
• Implement and optimize digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms in FPGA hardware.
• Design and integrate high-speed communication interfaces, including PCIe, Ethernet, SPI, I²C, UART, and SerDes-based protocols.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers during schematic reviews and board bring-up activities.
• Develop timing constraints and perform timing closure for complex FPGA designs.
• Conduct simulation, verification, debugging, and validation of FPGA functionality.
• Support laboratory testing and troubleshooting using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other test equipment.
• Integrate FPGA designs with embedded processors and firmware components.
• Participate in architecture reviews and contribute to technical roadmap planning.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership on FPGA-related projects.
• Maintain design documentation and support manufacturing and field teams as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of FPGA development experience in commercial products.
• Strong proficiency in Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL.
• Hands-on experience with Xilinx FPGA development tools (Vivado) and architectures.
• Experience with Intel/Altera FPGA platforms is a plus.
• Strong understanding of digital design fundamentals, including:
  • State machines
  • Clock domain crossing
  • Timing analysis
  • Reset architectures
  • Memory interfaces
• Experience implementing DSP functions in FPGA hardware.
• Familiarity with high-speed interfaces such as PCIe, DDR, Ethernet, Aurora, JESD204, or SerDes technologies.
• Experience with FPGA simulation and verification tools.
• Proficiency in laboratory debugging and board bring-up activities.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience with scientific instrumentation, measurement systems, or analytical instruments.
• Knowledge of digital signal processing, control systems, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience with embedded Linux environments and ARM-based SoCs.
• Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, or scripting languages used for test automation.
• Experience working in regulated or high-reliability product development environments.

What Success Looks Like

• Deliver high-quality FPGA solutions that meet performance, reliability, and scalability requirements.
• Drive technical innovation across instrument platforms.
• Collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Contribute to faster product development cycles and successful product releases.

Why Join Picarro

• Work on industry-leading technology with real-world environmental and industrial impact.
• Collaborate with a talented and innovative engineering team.
• Solve challenging technical problems in optics, spectroscopy, electronics, and software.
• Help develop products that contribute to sustainability and scientific advancement.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $ 160 K to $170K. Our total compensation package includes base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualifications, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. 

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance.