Research Engineer - FPGA

Location

US-VA-Fairfax

ID

2025-3681

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country's most challenging technical problems.

All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.

Riverside Research is seeking an FPGA Engineer/Scientist to lead and execute cutting-edge research and development in radio frequency (RF) embedded systems as part of the RF and Optics (RFO) group. The RFO group works on problems from DC to daylight, building demonstrable hardware solutions for radar, wireless communications, sensing, and electronic warfare applications.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in dynamic R&D environments, from ideation through execution, and designing and delivering innovative RF solutions to national security customers. As a principal technical contributor, the candidate will be responsible for developing new techniques and technology to address complex and open-ended problems. The candidate should have a track record of outside-the-box problem-solving, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ability to brief stakeholders on technical results.

The candidate should have deep expertise in at least one of the following areas:

FPGA design
• DSP architecture
• Embedded development

Current areas of strong interest include:

• Multifunction RF
• Nonlinear and novel electromagnetics
• RF autonomy / cognitive tactical systems
• RFSoC / FPGA-based solutions

Job Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and iterate innovative embedded solutions
• Lead and review design on major sub-systems to meet systems and mission requirements
• Understand and evaluate test, measurement, and characterization of embedded systems
• Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams to develop integrated systems
• Document and communicate design decisions, technical challenges, and progress to technical and non-technical internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in relevant internal and customer meetings
• Influence technical direction of internal and/or on-contract research and development efforts

Required Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance
• Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's in STEM field with 5+ years of experience, or
  • Master's in STEM field with 3+ years of experience, or
  • PhD in STEM field.
  • Relevant years of experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree
• Expertise in one of the following areas:
  • FPGA design
  • DSP architecture
  • Embedded development
• Proficient with typical laboratory equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers)
• Proficient with typical hardware description languages (VHDL, Verilog)
• Superior troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Superior written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to operate independently with limited supervision and feedback
• Ability to travel (< 10%)

Desired Qualifications

• Existing/prior security clearance
• PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics or similar with focus in digital hardware or embedded systems
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing FPGA solutions for defense customers
• Established subject matter expertise or track record of proposing and/or executing innovative research

This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees.
Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran's status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.