1

Fpga Emulation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Connectivity Systems Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$117K - $161K/yr

Experience collaborating with firmware and FPGA/emulation engineers to bring up, integrate, and debug the emulation platform, ensuring correct hardware/software interaction and a properly functioning ...

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

BTS Software Solutions is seeking an Emulation Developer II to join their team. The role involves ... FPGA development; device driver development; low-level experience in multiple operating systems and ...

Experience collaborating with firmware and FPGA/emulation engineers to bring up, integrate, and debug the emulation platform, ensuring correct hardware/software interaction and a properly functioning ...

Senior FPGA Engineer (DOD cleared)

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$122K - $157K/yr

Required Skills * 8+ years of FPGA engineering experience. * VHDL coding and digital design ... Experience with emulation platforms such as Veloce. * Strong technical documentation and review ...

Principal FPGA Engineer (DOD cleared)

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$122K - $157K/yr

Secret clearance or higher required prior to start Role Summary Seeking an FPGA Engineer to support ... Experience with emulation platforms such as Veloce. * Strong technical documentation and review ...

FPGA Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$125K - $161K/yr

FPGA ENGINEER JOB LOCATION: TUCSON, AZ WAGE RANGE*: 105.00-110.00 PER HOUR JOB NUMBER ... emulation platforms, such as Veloce Day to day Design and deliver production quality FPGA releases ...

ASIC Digital Design Engineer Lead

Austin, TX · On-site

$134K/yr

Do you want to utilize your engineering background to make big things happen? Can you influence ... Hands-on experience with FPGA emulation, silicon bring-up, characterization or debug. Preferred ...

Showing results 41-60

Fpga Emulation Engineer information

See salary details

$85K

$147.3K

$198.5K

How much do fpga emulation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for fpga emulation engineer in the United States is $147,315.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $130,000.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an FPGA emulation engineer?

FPGA Emulation Engineers are professionals who specialize in using Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) to create hardware prototypes that emulate the behavior of digital circuits or systems, such as ASICs or SoCs. Their work involves designing, configuring, and testing these FPGA-based platforms to validate chip designs before they are manufactured. This role often requires expertise in hardware description languages (HDLs) like VHDL or Verilog, as well as a strong understanding of digital design and verification methodologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an FPGA emulation engineer?

To thrive as an FPGA Emulation Engineer, you need strong expertise in digital design, hardware description languages (such as VHDL or Verilog), and a solid background in electrical or computer engineering. Familiarity with FPGA development tools (like Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus), emulation platforms, and debugging systems is typically required, with some roles preferring relevant certifications. Problem-solving ability, attention to detail, effective communication, and teamwork are standout soft skills in this field. These capabilities are crucial for accurately simulating complex hardware, identifying design issues early, and ensuring successful project delivery in collaborative environments.

What are the most common challenges faced by FPGA emulation engineers during large-scale hardware verification projects?

FPGA Emulation Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating complex System-on-Chip (SoC) designs onto FPGA platforms, dealing with resource constraints, and ensuring timing closure. Debugging emulation issues can be particularly demanding, as problems may arise from both the hardware and the original RTL code. Collaborating effectively with design, verification, and software teams is crucial to resolve issues quickly and meet project deadlines. Managing these challenges requires strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to evolving design requirements.

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

AspectFpga Emulation EngineerFPGA Design Engineer
Primary FocusDeveloping and maintaining FPGA-based emulation environments for testing hardware/software integrationDesigning and implementing FPGA logic for specific hardware functions and systems
Skills & CertificationsHardware description languages (VHDL/Verilog), FPGA tools, debugging, verificationHardware description languages, FPGA tools, digital design, verification
Work EnvironmentTesting labs, hardware labs, simulation environmentsDesign labs, development teams, hardware labs
Industry UsageSemiconductor, aerospace, defense, automotive testingConsumer electronics, telecommunications, embedded systems

While both roles require FPGA knowledge and similar certifications, Fpga Emulation Engineers focus on creating emulation environments for testing and validation, whereas FPGA Design Engineers primarily develop FPGA logic for hardware functions. The roles often collaborate but serve different stages of the hardware development lifecycle.

More about Fpga Emulation Engineer jobs

What job categories do people searching Fpga Emulation Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Fpga Emulation Engineer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Fpga Emulation Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,315 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

GPU Validation and Emulation Engineer, Senior

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Qualcomm rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

49th of 246 rated software companies


Job description

Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > GPU ASICS Engineering
General Summary:
As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable next-generation experiences and drives digital transformation to help create a smarter, connected future for all. As a Qualcomm GPU Engineer, you may architect, design, implement, verify, and/or optimize the performance and power of GPU cores. Qualcomm Engineers collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet and exceed customer needs.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field and 1+ year of Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
Job Description:
  • Synthesize the Verilog RTL and create models and compile them to emulators like Veloce/Palladium/Zebu and/or FPGA platforms
  • Develop all aspects of hardware emulator implementation, with emphasis on design partitioning, synthesis, place and route, timing analysis & run time performance.
  • Drive debug failures on emulator using latest technologies. Work with designers and SW driver team for testplan and debug.
  • Work with tool vendors and push the methodology to improve the area/performance of the synthesized FPGA RTL.
  • Work on third-party IP integration and system-level debugging.
  • System level RTL simulation & design verification.
  • Support chip bring up and post silicon debug.
  • Debug functional and timing models.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelors degree in Science, Engineering, or closely related field
  • 1+ years of hands on experience in emulation/simulation acceleration/FPGA.
  • 1+ years in Design validation/Post-Silicon debug.
  • 1+ years of hands on experience in creating high performance & area efficient emulation environments from RTL.
  • 1+ years of hands on emulator platforms, platform bringup, digital design, verification, debugging, and waveform viewers
  • 1+ Hardware emulators, such as Palladium, ZeBu, Veloce, or FPGA systems based on Xilinx or Altera FPGAs
  • 1+ Emulation methodologies, including in-circuit emulation, hybrid systems, or simulation acceleration

Desirable Skills:
  • MS degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent; 1 year of practical experience
  • Design Verification knowledge - UVM/System Verilog preferred
  • Knowledge of GPU/CPU/DDR/Bus preferred
  • Verilog and System Verilog experience.
  • Debugging system-level software, Debug RTL
  • Programming skills in C and C++
  • Scripting in Python, Tcl, or Perl
  • Knowledge of Vendor Emulation tools/Xilinx tools/Synthesis tools

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$133,600.00 - $200,400.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer - and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.

What Qualcomm employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Qualcomm logo

About Qualcomm

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. You interact with products and technologies made possible by Qualcomm every day, including 5G-enabled smartphones that double as pro-level cameras and gaming devices, smarter vehicles and cities, and the technology behind the smart, connected factories that manufactured your latest purchase. Our powerful connectivity solutions keep you connected—even in remote areas. Qualcomm 5G and AI innovations are the power behind the connected intelligent edge. You’ll find our technologies behind and inside the innovations that deliver significant value across multiple industries and to billions of people every day.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1985