FPGA IP Software Development Engineer

Altera is enabling the future of programmable solutions that power innovation across AI, cloud, communications, industrial, aerospace, and defense applications. We are looking for a talented FPGA IP Software Development Engineer to join our engineering team and help develop next-generation FPGA-based platforms and embedded solutions.

Position Summary

As an FPGA IP Software Development Engineer, you will play a key role in designing, integrating, validating, and debugging FPGA-based systems for embedded, networking, and acceleration applications. This role is primarily focused on FPGA RTL development and system integration, including PCIe, High-Speed Interfaces (HPS), External Memory Interfaces (EMIF), and Ethernet IPs.

You will work closely with hardware and software teams on FPGA HW/SW co-development, system bring-up, debugging, and optimization of complex FPGA-based products, including SmartNICs, embedded platforms interacting with GPU and ARM HPS-based solutions.

The ideal candidate has strong FPGA design expertise, experience integrating complex IP subsystems, and an interest in collaborating across hardware and software domains.

Key Responsibilities

FPGA Design & Integration

• Design, develop, integrate, and validate RTL for FPGA-based systems and platforms.
• Implement and integrate FPGA subsystems various I/0 Technologies (PCIe, EMIF, Ethernet & networking IPs) and on-board ARM Hard Processor Systems (HPS)
• Support FPGA system architecture, performance optimization, and debug activities.

HW/SW Co-Development

• Collaborate with software and application teams on FPGA HW/SW co-design and integration.
• Support board bring-up, system-level validation, and debugging.
• Develop software abstractions, drivers, and frameworks that enable FPGA acceleration solutions.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to optimize end-to-end system performance.

Product Development

• Contribute to development of FPGA-based products including:
  • SmartNIC solutions
  • Embedded computing platforms (Physical AI/Robotics) with GPU
  • ARM-based FPGA systems
  • Communication and data center acceleration solutions
• Participate in architecture discussions and technical reviews.
• Support product deployment and customer-facing technical investigations as needed.

Process & Innovation

• Drive continuous improvement in FPGA development, verification, and debug methodologies.
• Evaluate and adopt new tools, flows, and automation techniques.
• Stay current with advancements in FPGA technologies, networking, and embedded systems.

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.  

$133.2K - $212.7K 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.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, (Masters strongly preferred) Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in FPGA design and development.
• Strong RTL development experience using Verilog and/or SystemVerilog.
• Experience integrating FPGA IPs such as PCIe, Ethernet, EMIF, and ARM HPS.
• Experience with FPGA system bring-up, validation, and debugging.
• Understanding of FPGA development toolchains and implementation flows.
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced development environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with FPGA HW/SW co-development and system-level integration.
• Software development experience in C/C++, Python, or embedded Linux environments.
• Experience developing FPGA-based embedded systems or SmartNIC solutions.
• Familiarity with networking protocols and data center acceleration architectures.
• Experience with FPGA acceleration frameworks and software abstractions.
• Prior research or industry experience in FPGA-based acceleration, embedded systems, communications, robotics, or AI/GPU applications.
• Experience working within a semiconductor or programmable logic environment.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to bridge hardware and software development teams.
• Excellent debugging and root-cause analysis capabilities.
• Self-motivated with a passion for learning new technologies.
• Strong communication and technical documentation skills.
• Interest in co-development environments where hardware and software are developed concurrently.

Why Join Altera?

At Altera, you'll have the opportunity to help build innovative FPGA-based products that power next-generation communications, embedded, AI, and data center solutions. You'll work alongside experienced engineers on cutting-edge technologies while influencing both hardware and software development in a highly collaborative environment.