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Fpga Emulation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We're seeking an Emulation and FPGA Efficiency Architect to improve the performance, utilization, and availability of Arm's global hardware acceleration infrastructure. As part of Arm's Productivity ...

We're seeking an Emulation and FPGA Efficiency Architect to improve the performance, utilization, and availability of Arm's global hardware acceleration infrastructure. As part of Arm's Productivity ...

FPGA Engineers

Santa Clara, CA

$144K - $199K/yr

Creation of Emulation/Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) models from a RTL design using emulation/FPGA synthesis, partitioning and routing tools. Experience in compiling designs to load FPGA ...

Emulation Platforms (FPGA Prototyping, Veloce, Palladium), Emulation tools (Synthesis, Place and Route, Constraints, Clocking, Timing Closure), System Debug (Waveform generation and Content Debug ...

Sr. FPGA Design Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$121K - $167K/yr

Responsible to Synthesize and implement all the logic in Vivado to complete FPGA emulation * After Synthesis and Implementation will be responsible for executing and turn over .bit file * Will also ...

Run LINT and CDC checks on the RTL code and fix accordingly. * Assist with synthesis and FPGA emulation. QUALIFICATIONS - * BA/MS degree and 5+ years of relevant work experience. * Demonstrate ...

As a domain expert, you will work at the forefront of advanced emulation and FPGA modeling, enabling faster presilicon verification, postsilicon validation, and software development. Your ...

Emulation Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$75 - $85/hr

We are looking for an experienced Emulation Engineer with strong expertise in ZeBu platforms to ... Linux bring-up, FPGA prototyping Pay Rate Range: $75 to $85/hr

FPGA Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$122K - $157K/yr

FPGA Engineer Develop FPGA designs including: Xilinx, Altera,and Microsemi. Designs are implemented ... emulation platforms, such as Veloce #CJ

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Fpga Emulation information

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$70K

$147.1K

$210.5K

How much do fpga emulation jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for fpga emulation in the United States is $147,056.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,000.00 and $169,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Fpga Emulation vs Fpga Design Engineer?

AspectFpga EmulationFpga Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; certifications like Certified FPGA EngineerBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; certifications like Certified FPGA Engineer
Work EnvironmentUses specialized hardware platforms for testing and validation; often in labs or R&D facilitiesDesigning, coding, and simulating FPGA architectures; typically in design teams or R&D labs
Industry UsagePrimarily in verification, validation, and system integration phasesInvolved in the development, optimization, and implementation of FPGA designs

While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, Fpga Emulation focuses on testing and validation using specialized hardware, whereas Fpga Design Engineers concentrate on creating and optimizing FPGA architectures. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the FPGA industry.

What are some common challenges faced by FPGA Emulation Engineers during project development?

FPGA Emulation Engineers often encounter challenges such as debugging complex hardware-software interactions, optimizing emulation speed for large-scale designs, and ensuring accurate synchronization between emulated components. The role typically involves collaborating closely with design, verification, and software teams to resolve issues quickly and maintain project timelines. Staying up-to-date with evolving tools and methodologies is crucial, as is strong communication to coordinate across multidisciplinary teams.

What is FPGA emulation?

FPGA emulation is the process of using Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) to mimic the behavior of digital circuits or systems, often for the purpose of verifying hardware designs before they are manufactured. This allows engineers to test and debug their designs in a real hardware environment, which is faster and more accurate than software simulation alone. FPGA emulation is commonly used in the development of complex systems-on-chip (SoCs), as it helps catch design errors early and speeds up the overall verification process. It bridges the gap between software simulation and physical prototyping, providing a high-performance and flexible platform for hardware validation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an FPGA Emulation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an FPGA Emulation Engineer, you need a solid background in digital design, hardware description languages (like VHDL or Verilog), and experience with FPGA architectures, typically supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with emulation platforms such as Mentor Graphics Veloce, Synopsys ZeBu, or Cadence Palladium, as well as debugging and verification tools, is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with design and verification teams. These skills ensure accurate hardware validation, efficient bug detection, and smooth integration within complex chip development cycles.
More about Fpga Emulation jobs
What job categories do people searching Fpga Emulation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Fpga Emulation jobs are:
Infographic showing various Fpga Emulation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,056 per year, or $70.7 per hour.
Senior FPGA/Emulation Validation Engineer

Senior FPGA/Emulation Validation Engineer

Axiado

San Jose, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Company Description

Axiado is building the future of AIpowered digital infrastructure. We are a fastgrowing, wellfunded silicon, systems, and solutions company pioneering a new category of semiconductor called the Trusted Control/Compute Unit (TCU) that combines advanced hardware security, AIdriven resilience and efficiency, and realtime platform management. Our technology protects the world’s most critical infrastructure—from data centers to nextgeneration cloud and AI platforms—by securing systems at the foundation levels of hardware, independent of host CPUs and operating systems. 

Founded in 2019 and now over 150 employees strong, Axiado has evolved into a recognized leader in the convergence of AI, security, and silicon innovation. We partner with and are actively engaged in commercial programs with multiple Tier 1 industry leaders, validating both our technology and our long-term market trajectory. Axiado has also won numerous industry awards for our ground-breaking products and technological innovations, including being named one of Fast Company’s 2025 Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Security, winning the 2025 Global InfoSec Award for Outstanding AI Security Solution, and being named a finalist for the Global Semiconductor Alliance’s 2025 “Start-Up to Watch” award. 

At Axiado, developing breakthrough technology takes more than great engineering—it takes a team of exceptional people who collaborate boldly, challenge assumptions, and take pride in building what comes next. We value curiosity, execution, respect, and a shared desire to make a meaningful impact on the security and reliability of the digital world. 

If you’re driven to innovate, energized by hard problems, and excited to help define the future of secure AI infrastructure, we invite you to apply and join us on this journey. 

Job Description

The Senior FPGA/Emulation Validation Engineer position is your opportunity to join one of the industry’s leading companies in platform security management and ransomware detection for cloud datacenters, 5G infrastructure and disaggregated compute ecosystems. You should have prior knowledge about SOC architecture, and emulation and prototyping platforms. As the Senior FPGA  or Emulation Validation Engineer for Axiado, you will have the opportunity to work in design verification, debug and system integration. You will work closely with the Architecture, Verification, ASIC Design and Software teams. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Help set up FPGA/Emulation platform and device modeling

  • Help set up FPGA/Emulation debugging tools

  • Help customize the SOC design for the FPGA/Emulation platform

  • Duties include modeling, debugging, creating and running validation tests, as well as supporting SW debugging

  • Work with SOC design engineers, verification, systems and software team to achieve pre-silicon emulation and prototyping goals

Qualifications
  • Strong experience working with FPGA and Emulation platforms. Familiarity with PCIe, USB, Ethernet, SPI and other commonly used protocols in SOC ASIC designs

  • Strong experience working with FPGA tools likes Vivado

  • Good knowledge of how FW/SW works on SOC

  • Good communication skills

  • BS or MS (preferred) degree in EE/EECS/CS or equivalent. 

  • 5 plus years of work experience


Additional Information

Compensation Range - $80,000 - $200000

Axiado is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the highest caliber talent in a diverse and multifaceted environment. We are headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, with access to the world's leading research, technology and talent.

We are building an exceptional team to secure every node on the internet. For us, solving real-world problems takes precedence over purely theoretical problems. As a result, we prefer individuals with persistence, intelligence and high curiosity over pedigree alone. Working hard and smart, continuous learning and mutual support are all part of who we are.

Axiado is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Axiado does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.