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Fpga Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Altera

FPGA System Design Engineer

San Jose, CA

$118K - $172K/yr

Collaborate closely with FPGA software and tools teams to identify customer needs, drive tool ... Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related ...

Innoflight

Software Engineering Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$155K - $190K/yr

Here, visionary minds engineer the future of space technology through pioneering, compact, and ... Working closely with Systems, Hardware, FPGA, and Test Engineering teams, the Software Engineering ...

Innoflight LLC

Software Engineering Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$155K - $190K/yr

Here, visionary minds engineer the future of space technology through pioneering, compact, and ... Working closely with Systems, Hardware, FPGA, and Test Engineering teams, the Software Engineering ...

Innoflight LLC

Software Engineering Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$155 - $190/hr

Here, visionary minds engineer the future of space technology through pioneering, compact, and ... Working closely with Systems, Hardware, FPGA, and Test Engineering teams, the Software Engineering ...

Socket.dev

FPGA Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Build memory-mapped register interfaces (AXI) between FPGA logic and onboard flight software, and define the hardware/software contract with flight software engineers * Own timing closure, synthesis ...

New

Aetherflux

FPGA Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$157K - $201K/yr

Build memory-mapped register interfaces (AXI) between FPGA logic and onboard flight software, and define the hardware/software contract with flight software engineers * Own timing closure, synthesis ...

Impulse Space

FPGA Engineer

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$125K - $170K/yr

Software Employment Type: Full Time Location: Redondo Beach Compensation: $125,000 - $170,000 / year Description As an FPGA engineer at Impulse Space, you will be responsible for taking complex ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

FPGA Engineer II

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$136K - $175K/yr

... software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems ... FPGA ENGINEER II We are currently seeking an FPGA Engineer II for a future opening to join our FPGA ...

Impulsespace

FPGA Engineer

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$125 - $170/hr

Software Employment Type: Full Time Location: Redondo Beach Compensation: $125,000 - $170,000 / year Description As an FPGA engineer at Impulse Space, you will be responsible for taking complex ...

KLA

Sr. FPGA Design Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$141K - $240K/yr

Collaborate with the hardware and embedded software engineer to design FPGA Firmware for high-performance mixed-signal designs * Define FPGA Firmware requirement specifications and develop design ...

Impulse Space

FPGA Engineer

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$137K - $176K/yr

As an FPGA engineer at Impulse Space, you will be responsible for taking complex protocols and ... Working closely with RF software engineers you will write libraries to help bridge the gap between ...

Altera Corporation

Software Validation Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$133K - $192K/yr

Altera is seeking a motivated Software Validation Engineer to ensure the quality and reliability of ... Working knowledge of FPGA software flows (e.g., Quartus, Vivado, Lattice) is a plus. * 3+ years of ...

KLA Corporation

Sr. FPGA Design Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$141K - $240K/yr

Collaborate with the hardware and embedded software engineer to design FPGA Firmware for high-performance mixed-signal designs * Define FPGA Firmware requirement specifications and develop design ...

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Fpga Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$19

$53

$89

How much do fpga software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for fpga software engineer in California is $53.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.38 and $65.34 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an FPGA software engineer?

FPGA Software Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and implement software and hardware solutions using Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). They write code, often in hardware description languages like VHDL or Verilog, to configure FPGAs for specific applications, such as signal processing or embedded systems. Their work involves both software programming and understanding of digital hardware, enabling the creation of custom hardware accelerators or processing units. These engineers collaborate with hardware and software teams to integrate FPGAs into larger systems and ensure optimal performance.

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

To thrive as an FPGA Software Engineer, you need expertise in digital design, VHDL/Verilog programming, and a solid background in electrical or computer engineering. Familiarity with FPGA development tools like Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus, and often a relevant certification, is typically required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help in collaborating with teams and troubleshooting complex hardware-software integration issues. These abilities ensure efficient design, implementation, and optimization of FPGA solutions in high-performance computing and embedded systems.

What are some common challenges FPGA software engineers face when collaborating with hardware teams?

FPGA Software Engineers often work closely with hardware teams to ensure that designs are efficiently implemented and meet system requirements. One common challenge is aligning software logic with hardware constraints, such as timing, resource usage, and power consumption. Effective communication is key, as misunderstandings can lead to delays or design mismatches. Regular sync meetings, shared documentation, and iterative testing help bridge the gap and ensure successful integration.

What is the difference between Fpga Software Engineer vs Embedded Software Engineer?

AspectFpga Software EngineerEmbedded Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related; knowledge of FPGA design toolsBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related; experience with embedded systems
Work EnvironmentDesigning FPGA-based hardware solutions, coding in hardware description languages, testing FPGA prototypesDeveloping software for embedded devices, coding in C/C++, testing on hardware platforms
Industry UsageTelecommunications, aerospace, defense, high-speed data processingConsumer electronics, automotive, IoT devices, medical equipment

While both roles involve embedded systems and hardware-software integration, Fpga Software Engineers focus on FPGA hardware design and programming, whereas Embedded Software Engineers develop software for embedded devices. The roles often overlap in industries like aerospace and telecommunications but differ in technical focus and tools used.

Are FPGA Software Engineers in demand?

FPGA Software Engineers are in high demand due to the increasing use of FPGAs in industries such as telecommunications, aerospace, and defense. Their skills in hardware description languages like VHDL or Verilog, along with software development experience, are highly valued as companies seek to optimize performance and develop custom hardware solutions.

What are popular job titles related to Fpga Software Engineer jobs in California?

For Fpga Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Fpga Software Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Fpga Software Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Fpga Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Fpga Software Engineer job openings:

Fpga Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fpga Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,619 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

FPGA System Design Engineer

Altera Corporation

San Jose, CA • On-site

$118K - $172K/yr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Job Details:
Job Description:
Altera is seeking a highly motivated FPGA System Design Engineer to join our Aerospace, Defense, and Government (ADG) solutions team. In this role, you will work directly with strategic customers to architect, implement, optimize, and benchmark advanced signal processing and embedded computing solutions on Altera FPGA platforms.
You will collaborate with industry experts, customer engineering teams, and internal FPGA tool development organizations to accelerate customer success, demonstrate the value of Altera technology, and influence future product and software capabilities. This position provides an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies including FPGA-based DSP, embedded systems, AI inference, high-speed data converters, and advanced RF signal processing applications.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and implement FPGA-based solutions using RTL, DSP Builder, and embedded processor technologies for defense and aerospace applications.
  • Partner directly with strategic customers to deploy and optimize DSP, communications, AI, and signal processing algorithms on Altera FPGA devices.
  • Develop benchmarks, proof-of-concept demonstrations, reference designs, and complete system solutions that showcase FPGA performance and value.
  • Collaborate closely with FPGA software and tools teams to identify customer needs, drive tool enhancements, and influence future product features.
  • Analyze system-level performance and optimize FPGA implementations for throughput, latency, power, and resource utilization.
  • Support customer design activities including architecture reviews, debugging, performance tuning, and technical enablement.
  • Contribute technical collateral including design documentation, application notes, training materials, and best-practice guides.

The pay range below is for Bay Area California only. Actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including job location, job-related knowledge, skills, experiences, trainings, etc. We also offer incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance.
$118.9K - $172.2K USD
We use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for the position. Applicants must be eligible for any required U.S. export authorizations.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
  • 3+ years of experience in FPGA design and algorithm implementation.
  • 2+ years of software development experience using C/C++.
  • 1+ year of FPGA development experience using Verilog or VHDL.
  • Strong understanding of digital logic design and FPGA development methodologies.
  • Experience debugging and validating complex hardware/software systems.
  • Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Security Clearance Requirement
This position may involve work on U.S. Government contracts that require access to controlled or classified information. Accordingly, all applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to obtain or maintain the required security clearance may result in the withdrawal of an employment offer or termination of employment, consistent with applicable law.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
  • Hands-on experience with:
    • MATLAB and Simulink
    • C/C++ and CUDA
    • Verilog and/or VHDL FPGA design
    • Quartus® Prime and ModelSim™/Questa™ simulation tools
    • Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)
  • Background in one or more of the following:
    • Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
    • Signal and Image Processing
    • Wireless and Communication Systems
    • Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning
    • High-speed ADC/DAC architectures
    • RF and Software Defined Radio (SDR) systems
  • Experience with FPGA SoCs, embedded processors, and heterogeneous computing architectures.
  • Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies quickly and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong collaboration, presentation, and customer-facing communication skills.

Job Type:
Regular
Shift:
Shift 1 (United States of America)
Primary Location:
San Jose, California, United States
Additional Locations:
Posting Statement:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

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