Principal Electrical Engineer (FPGA) - Lead the Future of Aerospace Innovation

Drive Breakthrough FPGA Technologies for Next-Generation Defense and Aviation Systems
PDS Tech Commercial is partnering with a global leader in the aviation and aerospace industry to hire a Principal Electrical Engineer (FPGA) for a high-impact, long-term contract opportunity in Cedar Rapids, IA.
If you're an experienced FPGA professional ready to lead technical initiatives, influence engineering strategy, and develop advanced digital solutions for mission-critical aerospace and defense applications, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact while working at the forefront of innovation.
Position Details

• Job Title: Principal Electrical Engineer (FPGA)

• Location: Cedar Rapids, IA

• Job Type: Full-Time Contract (19 Months)

• Schedule: Monday-Friday

• Pay Rate: $68.21 per hour

 
Make an Impact
As a Principal FPGA Engineer, you'll join an elite Applied Research and Technology team focused on developing advanced microelectronics solutions for aerospace and defense systems. Your expertise will help shape cutting-edge FPGA architectures and technologies that support mission-critical applications across Mission Systems.
Beyond technical contributions, you'll provide leadership, mentorship, and strategic guidance to engineering teams while helping drive innovation, process improvements, and future program success.
 
What You'll Do
Key Responsibilities

• Lead the requirements development, architecture, design, implementation, and verification of high-performance FPGA solutions.

• Integrate FPGA designs into target hardware platforms and support system-level validation activities.

• Participate in Agile planning sessions, sprint activities, and technical reviews.

• Conduct and support peer reviews of FPGA designs, code, and technical documentation.

• Assist with certification analysis and engineering compliance activities.

• Recommend new tools, methodologies, and best practices to enhance FPGA and ASIC development processes.

• Contribute technical expertise and effort estimates for future program pursuits and proposals.

• Provide technical leadership by planning work, decomposing complex tasks, guiding project teams, and reporting progress to stakeholders.

• Troubleshoot and resolve FPGA design, implementation, and integration challenges.

• Ensure adherence to established engineering, quality, and development standards.

 
Required Qualifications
We're Looking For Professionals Who Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), or a related field with 8+ years of relevant experience, OR an advanced degree with 5+ years of related experience.

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in FPGA development, ASIC front-end design, or related digital hardware engineering.

• Advanced proficiency in VHDL and/or Verilog for FPGA and ASIC development.

• Strong experience with:

  • Digital circuit architecture and design

  • Resource optimization and design trade-off analysis

  • Timing analysis and timing closure

• Experience with FPGA platforms and toolchains, including:

  • AMD/Xilinx

  • Altera/Intel

  • Microchip

  • Vivado

  • Quartus

  • Libero

• Strong FPGA/ASIC debugging and troubleshooting skills.

• Proficiency with revision control systems such as Git or Subversion.

• Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

 
Preferred Qualifications
Additional Experience That Will Set You Apart:

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.

• Experience with high-speed digital interfaces and protocols, including:

  • DDR

  • PCIe

  • Ethernet

• Knowledge of advanced verification methodologies and languages, including:

  • SystemVerilog

  • Constrained random verification

  • Functional coverage

• Experience performing ASIC and FPGA laboratory validation using advanced test equipment.

• Familiarity with Unix/Linux environments.

• Experience with scripting languages and software development tools.

• Working knowledge of C/C++ and/or Perl.

 
Why Join Us?
At PDS Tech Commercial, we're dedicated to connecting top engineering talent with opportunities that shape the future of aerospace and defense technology. This role offers the chance to solve complex technical challenges, influence innovative designs, and collaborate with some of the industry's brightest minds.
What You'll Gain

• Competitive pay at $68.21 per hour

• Long-term 19-month contract assignment

• Opportunity to work with a recognized leader in aerospace and defense innovation

• Exposure to next-generation FPGA, ASIC, and microelectronics technologies

• Collaborative and highly technical engineering environment

• Leadership opportunities on complex, high-visibility programs

• Professional growth through challenging and meaningful work

• Support from an experienced PDS Tech Commercial recruiting team throughout your assignment

 
Ready to Lead the Next Generation of Aerospace Technology?
If you're a skilled FPGA engineer with a passion for innovation, technical leadership, and solving complex engineering challenges, we want to hear from you.
Apply today and join PDS Tech Commercial as a Principal Electrical Engineer in Cedar Rapids, IA, where you'll help develop the advanced technologies powering tomorrow's aerospace and defense systems.
 
This position requires use of information or access to facilities subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These regulations may limit access of controlled technologies: 1) to U.S. Persons, including U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other narrow categories including refugees and asylees, or 2) to certain foreign nationals that have received an export license.                                               
 
 

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