Sr. FPGA Engineer

Senior FPGA Engineer - Quantum Computing Control Systems

Company Overview

Join QuEra Computing's engineering team to develop cutting-edge FPGA systems for neutral atom quantum computers. You'll work on real-time control systems that manipulate individual atoms with microsecond precision, enabling breakthrough quantum algorithms and applications.

Role Summary

We're seeking a Senior FPGA Engineer to design, implement, and optimize high-performance FPGA systems for quantum computing applications. You'll work on complex real-time control systems, high-speed data acquisition, and precision timing systems that are critical to our quantum computer's operation.

Key Responsibilities

Core FPGA Development

Design and implement System Verilog modules for quantum control systems including:

Scheduled multitone generators for RF/microwave quantum gates

Real-time pulse sequencers for laser control

High-speed ADC/DAC interfaces (16-bit, 4 samples/clock)

Hardware-accelerated image processing for atom detection

Develop and maintain Ulti-board FPGA designs (Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC)

Implement high-speed serial interfaces (CoaXPress, Aurora, AXI4-Stream)

Design clock domain crossing logic with proper CDC verification

Optimize resource utilization and timing closure for complex designs

System Integration & Verification

Create comprehensive testbenches using System Verilog and Python (cocotb)

Develop simulation models for quantum control peripherals

Implement formal verification for critical timing constraints

Design and validate real-time trigger and synchronization systems

Troubleshoot hardware-software integration issues

Performance & Reliability

Optimize data through put for high-bandwidth quantum control signals

Implement error detection and recovery mechanisms

Design robust clocking architectures for multi-domain systems

Develop monitoring and diagnostics for system health

Ensure deterministic timing for quantum gate operations

Technical Requirements

Essential Skills

5+ years FPGA development experience with Xilinx UltraScale+ devices

Expert-level System Verilog with modern verification methodologies

Experience with high-speed serial protocols (Aurora, AXI4, PCIe, Ethernet)

Real-time systems design with microsecond timing requirements

Digital signal processing implementation in FPGAs

Clock domain crossing design and verification

Python programming for test automation and data analysis

Preferred Qualifications

RF/microwave systems experience (frequency synthesis, phase-locked loops)

High-speed ADC/DAC interfaces (JESD204B/C, RFSoC experience)

Image processing algorithms (centroid detection, pattern recognition)

Formal verification using System Verilog assertions

CoaXPress or camera interface experience

AWS/cloud development environments

Familiar with High Level Synthesis and Vivado block design

Technical Stack

FPGA Tools: Vivado 2022.2+, Vitis, PetaLinux

Languages: SystemVerilog, Verilog, Python, TCL

Verification: UVM, cocotb, pytest, formal verification

Protocols: AXI4, AXI4-Stream, Aurora, CoaXPress, SPI, I2C

Boards: Xilinx ZCU102/111/216, RFSoC platforms

Development: Git, CI/CD, AWS EC2, Linux

Project Examples

You'll work on systems like

Quantum Gate Control: 8-channel RF tone generators with 0.1 Hz frequency resolution

Atom Detection: Real-time image processing at 1+ Gbps data rates

Precision Timing: Synchronized control sequences with <1 μs jitter

Data Acquisition: High-speed capture of quantum measurement results

System Integration: Multi-board coordination for scalable quantum computers

What We Offer

Cutting-edge technology: Work on the forefront of quantum computing

High-impact projects: Your code directly enables quantum algorithms

Technical growth: Learn quantum physics while advancing FPGA skills

Collaborative environment: Work with physicists, software engineers, and system architects

Success Metrics

Design Quality: Clean, well-documented, and maintainable SystemVerilog code

Performance: Meeting timing requirements for real-time quantum control

Reliability: Robust error handling and system monitoring

Innovation: Proposing and implementing improvements to quantum control systems

Collaboration: Effective communication with cross-functional teams

Education & Experience

Bachelor's/master’s in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, or Physics

5+ years FPGA development with complex, real-time systems

Experience with quantum computing, RF systems, or precision instrumentation preferred

Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

Excellent communication skills for technical documentation and team collaboration

Why This Role Matters

Quantum computers represent the next frontier in computing, with potential to revolutionize cryptography, optimization, and scientific simulation. As an FPGA engineer on our team, you'll build the hardware foundation that makes quantum algorithms possible - controlling individual atoms with unprecedented precision to create the quantum states that power breakthrough applications.

Your work will directly impact our ability to scale quantum computers and bring quantum advantage to real-world problems. This is an opportunity to shape the future of computing while advancing your technical expertise in cutting-edge FPGA development.

This role offers the unique opportunity to combine advanced FPGA engineering with quantum physics, working on systems that operate at the fundamental limits of precision and timing. If you're passionate about both hardware engineering and quantum computing, this is the perfect role to advance both your technical skills and career.

We consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly.  We determine base compensation decisions on several factors, including as geographic placement, role-specific knowledge, skills, and/or experience.  In addition to our base salary offerings, we also provide equity grants for all new hires.

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QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.