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Digital Rtl Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

FPGA Design Engineer

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

$96K - $144K/yr

The FPGA Design Engineer role involves full life-cycle product development from system concept and ... Your expertise in digital component design and analysis, modeling and simulation, circuit level ...

Design, implement, and verify RTL logic in Verilog or SystemVerilog targeting ultra-low-latency ... Understanding of digital logic fundamentals: state machines, FIFOs, clock domain crossing, timing ...

Digital Water Engineer I

Chicago, IL · On-site

$74K - $90K/yr

The Digital Water Engineer I will support the planning, design, and optimization of water & wastewater systems while assisting in the development and application of digital tools and AI-driven ...

FPGA Design Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$55 - $80/hr

FPGA Design Engineer We are seeking a skilled FPGA Design Engineer to join a leading defense ... Design, develop, and implement FPGA-based digital logic for advanced defense systems. * Create and ...

Showing results 21-40

Digital Rtl Design Engineer information

What is a digital RTL design engineer?

Digital RTL Design Engineers are professionals who design and implement digital circuits at the Register Transfer Level (RTL) using hardware description languages like Verilog or VHDL. Their work involves creating functional and synthesizable code that defines how digital systems process data. They collaborate closely with verification, physical design, and system architects to ensure that designs meet performance, power, and area requirements. This role is critical in the development of integrated circuits, such as microprocessors, FPGAs, and ASICs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a digital RTL design engineer?

To thrive as a Digital RTL Design Engineer, you need strong skills in digital logic design, proficiency in Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) like Verilog or VHDL, and a relevant degree in electrical or computer engineering. Experience with EDA tools such as Synopsys, Cadence, or Mentor Graphics, and knowledge of simulation, synthesis, and verification methodologies are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are vital soft skills for success in collaborative and technically complex environments. These skills ensure the creation of reliable, high-performance digital circuits that meet rigorous industry standards and project goals.

What are some common challenges faced by digital RTL design engineers during the verification phase, and how can they be addressed?

Digital RTL Design Engineers often encounter challenges during the verification phase, such as identifying hard-to-find logic bugs or ensuring their code meets both functional and timing requirements. These challenges are typically addressed through close collaboration with verification engineers, employing techniques like simulation, formal verification, and code reviews. Maintaining clear documentation and adopting best practices in version control can also streamline the process. Proactively communicating with the broader design and verification teams helps resolve issues more efficiently and ensures smooth project progress.

What is the difference between Digital Rtl Design Engineer vs Digital Verification Engineer?

AspectDigital Rtl Design EngineerDigital Verification Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing RTL code for digital circuitsVerifying and testing RTL designs to ensure functionality
Skills RequiredHDL languages (Verilog/VHDL), FPGA/ASIC design, RTL codingSimulation, testbench development, debugging, verification tools
Work EnvironmentDesign teams in semiconductor or electronics companiesVerification teams within similar industry settings

Digital Rtl Design Engineers focus on creating the RTL code that forms the basis of digital circuits, while Digital Verification Engineers ensure that these designs work correctly through testing and validation. Both roles are essential in the chip development process and often collaborate closely within the same industry environment.

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Digital Rtl Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Digital Rtl Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Digital Rtl Design Engineer job openings in Illinois as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 6% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Principal/Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer

Rolling Meadows, IL • On-site

Northrop Grumman Corporation
Space Research Administration • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Research, design, and develop digital hardware products including FPGA-based subsystems and circuit cards.

  • Perform digital component analysis, modeling, simulation, and circuit-level design and testing.

  • Lead projects involving digital hardware development, including translating system requirements into hardware specifications.


Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 372 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SAPTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!

The Multidomain Sensing, Targeting, and Survivability Division (MSTS), located in the Northwest Chicago suburbs, develops operational Electronic Warfare (EW) and targeting systems that provide situational awareness, self-protection, and offensive electronic attack capability to platforms across the spectrum from visible light IR to millimeter wave RF. By joining us, you'll work on projects that help safeguard our nation related to land forces, rotary wing survivability systems, international and U.S. military electronic warfare systems, communications systems, missile warning systems and sensors, infrared counter-measure systems (IRCM), automatic test equipment, modeling and simulation, and situational awareness programs. The Hardware Engineering organization plays a key role in developing these solutions.

The Principal/Sr. PrincipalDigital Design Engineer role involves full life-cycle product development from system concept and requirements through design, implementation, test verification, production, and field support while working in integrated product teams spanning Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program Management. Digital subsystem and circuit card designs utilize the latest FPGA technologies from all major vendors and device families including Xilinx, Altera, and Actel, and support high speed interfaces, Radio Frequency (RF) and Electro-Optical (EO) DSP, controls, data links, embedded processing and processor interfaces.

Job Description:

As a Principal/Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer, you will join our diverse team and be responsible for research, design, and development of digital hardware products. Your expertise in digital component design and analysis, modeling and simulation, circuit level design and test, and project leadership are desired for this position. Researches, designs, develops, and tests a variety of electronic equipment and systems, including radar and radiation detection equipment; radio, television and other communications equipment and systems; circuitry components; analog and digital computers; and control and test equipment.

#MSRMTA

This position may be filled at either a Principal or Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer level based on the qualifications listed below.

This position will be full-time, on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location.

This position is contingent upon Funding/Contract award, special access program and acquiring and maintaining the necessary US Government security clearance per customers' requirements prior to start.

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Digital DesignEngineer:

- Bachelors' degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline with a minimum 5 years of digital electronics design experience or a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline and 3 years of digital electronics design experience.

- Digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration

- Prior hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high-speed interfaces.

- Demonstrated ability to lead projects with 2 or less team members.

- Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications.

- Familiarity with documentation revision control and review systems similar to DOORS, ClearCase, and ClearQuest.

- US Citizen

- Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start.

Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer:

- Bachelors' degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline with a minimum 8 years of digital electronics design experience or a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline and 6 years of digital electronics design experience.

- Extensive digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration.

- Extensive hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high-speed interfaces

- Demonstrated ability to lead projects with 2 or more team members.

- Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications.

- Familiarity with documentation, revision control and review systems similar to DOORS, ClearCase, and ClearQuest.

- US Citizen

- Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Advanced degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering with a minimum 10 years of digital electronics design experience.

- Working knowledge of Electronic Warfare systems.

- Experience in Aerospace and/or Defense industries.

- Recent circuit card design experience utilizing circuit-related tools including Cadence Concept, Allegro, and/or Mentor DxDesigner, Expedition.

- Working experience with ClearCase/ClearQuest and DOORS Current Secret or Top-Secret Security Clearance.

- Proven skills to include: team leadership, mentoring others, communicating with all levels of an organization internally and externally, being adaptable, creative, collaborative and also comfortable working independently and enjoying solving difficult problems.

Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939