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Fpga Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Hardware Engineer/ Electrical Engineer Location: Irvine, CA Requirements * :Bachelor's degree in ... Strong knowledge of analog and digital circuit design, DSP, RF systems, or FPGA design

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Digital Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$144K/yr

Expertise in designing programmable logic devices and developing complex FPGA systems * Strong background in creating detailed schematics and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layouts * Skilled in ...

This position may involve working with emulation and FPGA prototyping platforms and leading efforts in evaluating and driving the adoption of advanced verification methodologies/flows. The engineer ...

Digital/FPGA Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$146K/yr

You will work in an exciting and fast-paced environment designing computer based test instruments starting with defining products, then designing programmable devices, layout the schematic and PCB ...

We are looking for an exceptional engineer with experience in designing novel calibration ... Experience with pre-silicon validation using emulation and FPGA prototyping tools and methodologies ...

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Fpga Engineer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$88.7K

$153.7K

$207.1K

How much do fpga engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for fpga engineer in Riverside, CA is $153,689.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,600.00 and $174,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges FPGA Engineers face when transitioning a design from simulation to hardware implementation?

One common challenge FPGA Engineers encounter is ensuring that a design, which works well in simulation, functions correctly on actual hardware. Timing constraints, resource utilization, and hardware-specific bugs can arise that were not apparent during simulation. Debugging these issues may require using on-chip debugging tools and working closely with hardware teams to resolve signal integrity or board-level problems. Effective communication and iterative testing are key to a smooth transition from simulation to deployment.

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

To thrive as an FPGA Engineer, you need strong expertise in digital logic design, proficiency in hardware description languages like VHDL or Verilog, and typically a degree in electrical or computer engineering. Experience with FPGA development tools (such as Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus), simulation software, and relevant certifications can be highly beneficial. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for successfully designing, verifying, and deploying reliable and efficient FPGA-based solutions in complex engineering environments.

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

AspectFpga EngineerDigital Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; FPGA certifications beneficialBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; often similar certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning, testing, and implementing FPGA hardware in labs or on-siteDesigning digital circuits, FPGA/ASIC hardware, often in similar environments
Industry UsageCommon in telecommunications, aerospace, defense, and embedded systemsUsed across electronics, telecommunications, and embedded systems industries

Both roles involve digital hardware design, often overlapping in skills and industry applications. An FPGA Engineer specializes in FPGA development and implementation, while a Digital Design Engineer may work on broader digital circuit design, including ASICs and FPGA hardware. The roles are closely related, with significant overlap in skills and work environments.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior FPGA engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in hardware design, and certifications can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially in high-demand industries like aerospace, defense, or telecommunications. Compensation often depends on location, company size, and project complexity, with some roles requiring advanced knowledge of FPGA development tools and hardware description languages.

What are FPGA engineers?

FPGA engineers are specialists who design, develop, and implement digital circuits using Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). They use hardware description languages like VHDL or Verilog to program these chips for a variety of applications, such as telecommunications, aerospace, and consumer electronics. Their work involves circuit design, simulation, testing, and optimization to ensure that the FPGA meets the desired specifications and performance requirements.

What Is an FPGA Engineer?

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are integrated circuits used in a variety of technology hardware that are designed to be programmed after they are manufactured. An FPGA engineer uses Hardware Description Language (HDL) to develop and test the configuration that is programmed into these circuits. They may also be responsible for integrating several FPGAs together to form a more complex working system. Their work results in applications that are useful in a variety of industries and technical settings.

Is FPGA going to be replaced by AI?

FPGA engineers design and develop field-programmable gate arrays used in applications requiring high performance and customization. While AI tools can assist in FPGA design and optimization, they are unlikely to replace FPGA engineers entirely, as expertise is needed for hardware development, testing, and integration. The role remains essential in industries like telecommunications, aerospace, and embedded systems where hardware-level control is critical.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior FPGA engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in hardware design, and certifications can reach or exceed a $500,000 annual salary, especially in high-demand industries like aerospace, defense, or high-performance computing. Compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other benefits for top-tier professionals in these fields.

Are FPGA engineers in demand?

FPGA engineers are in high demand due to the increasing use of field-programmable gate arrays in industries such as telecommunications, aerospace, and defense. Their skills in hardware description languages like VHDL or Verilog and experience with FPGA development tools are highly valued, leading to strong job growth and competitive salaries.
What job categories do people searching Fpga Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Fpga Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Fpga Engineer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Fpga Engineer job openings:
Principal Electronics Engineer

Principal Electronics Engineer

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Irvine, CA • On-site

$126K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

A Day in Your Life at MKS:
As a Principal Electronics Engineer at MKS, you will partner with global customers, cross-functional engineering teams, and internal technical stakeholders to architect, design, and support advanced electronics and FPGA-based solutions. In this role, you will be overseeing high-performance digital hardware, system integration, and customer-facing technical engagements.
Your day will involve driving complex digital system architecture, leading FPGA development activities, translating system-level specifications into detailed hardware and firmware requirements, and supporting system-level troubleshooting and validation. You will regularly collaborate with international customers, participate in technical discussions, contribute to design reviews, and support global engagements, including occasional travel to customer sites.
You Will Make an Impact By:
  • Architecting and delivering complex digital systems integrating processors, SoCs, memory subsystems, and high-speed digital interfaces.
  • Leading FPGA development (Zynq, Intel Cyclone), including RTL design, timing closure, constraints creation, and integration with embedded teams.
  • Translating high-level system specifications into clear, detailed engineering requirements that guide board-level hardware design, FPGA architecture, interface definitions, and subsystem behaviors.
  • Creating analytical, model-driven evaluations of digital circuits and systems - timing budgets, signal/power integrity behavior, power modeling, and performance analysis.
  • Driving board-level digital hardware development including schematics, component selection, and hands-on PCB layout (including controlled impedance routing, differential pairs, stack-up definition, power distribution and grounding strategy).
  • Ensuring designs follow DfX (Manufacturing, Testing, Reliability, Compliance) best practices.
  • Leading PCBA bring-up, digital debug, system-level validation, and structured root-cause investigations (8D/5-Why).
  • Producing high-quality engineering documentation including architecture descriptions, interface specifications, and customer-facing presentations.
  • Presenting detailed design rationale, modeling results, and quantitative trade studies to international customers and internal engineering stakeholders.
  • Working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary engineering environment, demonstrating a strong commitment to shared problem-solving, open cross-functional communication, and a willingness to contribute beyond defined role boundaries.
  • Collaborating with international customers and partners, facilitating technical brainstorming sessions, and supporting global engagements with occasional overseas travel.

Skills You Bring:
  • 8+ years of experience in high-performance digital hardware design, FPGA development, and complex system integration.
  • Strong FPGA expertise: RTL architecture, synthesis, Static Timing Analysis (STA), timing closure, and SoC/processor-to-FPGA integration.
  • Ability to perform hands-on PCB layout, including:
    • High-speed routing
    • Differential pair layout
    • Controlled impedance routing
    • Power distribution and grounding strategy
    • Layer stack up selection and constraints
  • Deep analytical and modeling skills for:
    • Digital timing analysis
    • Power/thermal estimation
    • Signal/power integrity modeling
    • Behavioral/electrical modeling (SPICE, MATLAB, Simulink, IBIS, etc.)
  • Strong system-level understanding of high-speed digital interfaces (DDR/LPDDR, PCIe, Ethernet, USB, LVDS, gigabit links).
  • Excellent technical documentation, design reporting, and engineering writing skills.
  • Outstanding presentation and communication skills, comfortable speaking with international customers.
  • Experience leading structured problem solving (8D, 5-Why) and providing clear, data-supported conclusions.
  • Proficiency with lab debug tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, boundary-scan/JTAG).
  • Bachelor's degree in EE/CE (Master's or PhD preferred).

Preferred Skills: (Optional)
  • Expertise with heterogeneous SoCs where ARM processing cores, DSP units, and FPGA logic coexist and interact through high-speed internal buses
  • Expertise using EDA/PCB and FPGA tools such as Altium Designer, Vivado/Vitis, and Quartus.
  • Familiarity with advanced Signal/Power Integrity and high-speed analysis tools (HyperLynx, SIwave, ADS).
  • Experience writing system architecture documents and customer-facing technical collateral.
  • Experience working with overseas CMs and global customers.
  • Leadership in establishing best practices for digital design flows, FPGA development processes, documentation standards, and validation workflows.

Compensation and Benefits:
Salary Pay Range: $126,200.00 - $210,350.00 USD per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law.
Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS.
Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement.
#LI-RS1
Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. persons." "U.S. persons" are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.
MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("MKS") is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.
MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com .
If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role