Actalent
Firmware Engineer – Senior
Location:
Frederick, Maryland
Employment Type:
Contract to Hire
Pay Range:
$72.11 - $86.50 per hour
Application Deadline:
October 27, 2025
Job Description We are seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer to join our defense electronics development team. The ideal candidate will have strong experience designing, implementing, and verifying firmware designs for high‑reliability systems used in RF, ISR, RADAR, and SATCOM applications. A deep understanding of VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog, and digital logic design for FPGA‑based systems is essential. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with cross‑functional engineering teams developing mission‑critical products for the U.S. Department of Defense and aerospace customers.
Responsibilities
Design and develop firmware for FPGA and embedded control systems using VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
Architect, implement, and optimize firmware for high‑reliability applications.
Develop low‑level control and data‑processing logic for mixed‑signal and RF systems.
Integrate firmware with higher‑level embedded software and hardware components.
Define and implement FPGA architectures for signal processing, control logic, and interface management.
Collaborate with electrical, RF, and systems engineers to define timing, interface, and performance requirements.
Participate in schematic and board‑level design reviews to ensure firmware/hardware compatibility.
Develop simulation testbenches and perform verification at module and system level using relevant tools.
Support hardware bring‑up, system integration, and debug activities using logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and RF test equipment.
Document design approaches, test procedures, and verification results per company and DoD standards.
Ensure designs meet reliability, radiation tolerance, and EMI/EMC requirements for defense systems.
Adhere to DO‑254 and other applicable aerospace/defense development standards.
Participate in design reviews, peer reviews, and configuration management activities.
Essential Skills & Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
8+ years of experience developing firmware for FPGA or embedded systems in aerospace or defense environments.
Proficiency in VHDL, Verilog, and SystemVerilog.
Experience with Xilinx, Intel/Altera, or Microchip/Microsemi FPGA toolchains.
Solid understanding of digital logic design, timing closure, and simulation.
Hands‑on experience integrating firmware with high‑speed interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, JESD204B/C, SPI, UART, etc.).
Strong documentation and communication skills.
U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain or hold a DoD security clearance.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Familiarity with DO‑254, MIL‑STD‑461, or related defense design standards.
Experience developing firmware for RF, EW, or satellite communications systems.
Exposure to embedded C/C++, Python test frameworks, or hardware‑in‑the‑loop validation.
Experience with digital circuit design.
Experience in signal processing or data acquisition firmware design.
Work Environment Collaborating with cross‑functional engineering teams in a defense electronics setting. Technologies include FPGA toolchains and RF test equipment. The role requires adherence to defense industry standards and collaboration across engineering disciplines to support mission‑critical product development.
Benefits
Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long‑term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Equal Opportunity Employer Actalent is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
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Frederick, Maryland
Employment Type:
Contract to Hire
Pay Range:
$72.11 - $86.50 per hour
Application Deadline:
October 27, 2025
Job Description We are seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer to join our defense electronics development team. The ideal candidate will have strong experience designing, implementing, and verifying firmware designs for high‑reliability systems used in RF, ISR, RADAR, and SATCOM applications. A deep understanding of VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog, and digital logic design for FPGA‑based systems is essential. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with cross‑functional engineering teams developing mission‑critical products for the U.S. Department of Defense and aerospace customers.
Responsibilities
Design and develop firmware for FPGA and embedded control systems using VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
Architect, implement, and optimize firmware for high‑reliability applications.
Develop low‑level control and data‑processing logic for mixed‑signal and RF systems.
Integrate firmware with higher‑level embedded software and hardware components.
Define and implement FPGA architectures for signal processing, control logic, and interface management.
Collaborate with electrical, RF, and systems engineers to define timing, interface, and performance requirements.
Participate in schematic and board‑level design reviews to ensure firmware/hardware compatibility.
Develop simulation testbenches and perform verification at module and system level using relevant tools.
Support hardware bring‑up, system integration, and debug activities using logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and RF test equipment.
Document design approaches, test procedures, and verification results per company and DoD standards.
Ensure designs meet reliability, radiation tolerance, and EMI/EMC requirements for defense systems.
Adhere to DO‑254 and other applicable aerospace/defense development standards.
Participate in design reviews, peer reviews, and configuration management activities.
Essential Skills & Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
8+ years of experience developing firmware for FPGA or embedded systems in aerospace or defense environments.
Proficiency in VHDL, Verilog, and SystemVerilog.
Experience with Xilinx, Intel/Altera, or Microchip/Microsemi FPGA toolchains.
Solid understanding of digital logic design, timing closure, and simulation.
Hands‑on experience integrating firmware with high‑speed interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, JESD204B/C, SPI, UART, etc.).
Strong documentation and communication skills.
U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain or hold a DoD security clearance.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Familiarity with DO‑254, MIL‑STD‑461, or related defense design standards.
Experience developing firmware for RF, EW, or satellite communications systems.
Exposure to embedded C/C++, Python test frameworks, or hardware‑in‑the‑loop validation.
Experience with digital circuit design.
Experience in signal processing or data acquisition firmware design.
Work Environment Collaborating with cross‑functional engineering teams in a defense electronics setting. Technologies include FPGA toolchains and RF test equipment. The role requires adherence to defense industry standards and collaboration across engineering disciplines to support mission‑critical product development.
Benefits
Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long‑term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Equal Opportunity Employer Actalent is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
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