FPGA Engineer - Radar Signal Processing

Harmattan AI

ABOUT US Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following the close of a $200M Series B, valuing the company at $1.4 billion, we are expanding our teams and capabilities to deliver mission-critical systems to allied forces. Our work is guided by clear values: building technologies with real-world impact, pursuing excellence in everything we do, setting ambitious goals, and taking on the hardest technical challenges. We operate in a demanding environment where rigor, ownership, and execution are expected. ABOUT THE ROLE As an FPGA Radio Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and implementing the communications link between our drones and ground stations. You will work closely with our hardware and embedded software teams, taking full end-to-end ownership of the RF signal-processing pipeline - from early architecture through to production-ready deployment. This role is ideal for a highly autonomous engineer who is comfortable making system-level decisions and driving them forward in a fast-paced, demanding environment. RESPONSIBILITIES * Lead the architecture and design of low-latency FPGA-based communications pipelines, spanning the entire signal chain: modulation/demodulation (e.g., OFDM, QAM), FFT, channel coding and decoding (e.g., LDPC, Turbo, Viterbi), synchronization, equalization, and link adaptation. * Own the complete FPGA development cycle, from feasibility assessment and architectural decisions to RTL implementation, simulation, verification, and deployment of robust, production-ready designs. * Conduct system-level link budget analysis, waveform simulations, and performance modeling to validate design choices and assess real-world performance under noise, interference, and multipath conditions. * Design and maintain comprehensive testbenches and validation frameworks for complex DSP pipelines, including hardware-in-the-loop testing with real RF front-ends. * Work closely with RF hardware engineers to ensure seamless integration between FPGA designs and the analog front-end (ADC/DAC interfaces, AGC, frequency planning). * Evaluate and select FPGA platforms, IP cores, and toolchains based on project constraints such as latency, throughput, power consumption, and long-term scalability. * Define and document clear, well-specified interfaces between the FPGA, embedded software, and hardware layers. CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS * Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing, Telecommunications, or a related field. * Over 5 years of hands-on FPGA development experience, including end-to-end ownership using VHDL and/or Verilog/SystemVerilog. * Strong foundation in digital communications and signal processing, grounded in first principles. * Solid understanding of the RF signal chain and its impact on digital design, including ADC/DAC interfaces, IQ imbalance, phase noise, dynamic range, sampling, and filtering. * Experience working in low-latency, real-time environments with strict resource constraints, making informed trade-offs among latency, precision, power consumption, and logic utilization. * Familiar with link budget analysis, waveform design, and system-level simulation tools. * Comfortable working autonomously, taking full technical ownership, and communicating effectively across hardware, software, and systems teams. * Fully dedicated to Harmattan AI’s mission, vision, and ambitious growth objectives, always prepared to go the extra mile to ensure operational excellence. We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.

Harmattan AI

ABOUT US Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following the close of a $200M Series B, valuing the company at $1.4 billion, we are expanding our teams and capabilities to deliver mission-critical systems to allied forces. Our work is guided by clear values: building technologies with real-world impact, pursuing excellence in everything we do, setting ambitious goals, and taking on the hardest technical challenges. We operate in a demanding environment where rigor, ownership, and execution are expected. At Harmattan AI, we design and deploy advanced AI-powered systems for defense. Our work sits at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and national security, fast-moving, high-stakes, and deeply mission-driven. We hire selectively and work with urgency, precision, and a commitment to solving problems that matter. If you're exceptional in your field and driven by building real-world impact, we want to hear from you. Even if no listed role matches your profile, we welcome proactive applications from individuals who thrive in high-responsibility environments and bring deep expertise in areas such as: * Aerospace & Robotics – GNC, autonomy, flight software, mission planning * Embedded Systems & Hardware – FPGA, real-time systems, electronics * Software & AI – machine learning, perception, signal processing * Business, Strategy & Operations – program execution, partnerships, international expansion WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR We value individuals who: * Set a high personal bar for quality and technical excellence * Take ownership and move fast under uncertainty * Push boundaries, challenge assumptions, and deliver under pressure * Are motivated by complex challenges with meaningful geopolitical stakes WHAT TO INCLUDE * A resume * A short message telling us what you’re best at, and how you think you could contribute to our mission We review all applications thoroughly and will reach out if there’s a potential fit. We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.

The Exploration Company

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. We want you as a talented FPGA engineer to help us in our mission by developing the electronic systems we need for our capsule to fly.   You will be successful in this role if you are able to help us: * Write VHDL code to validate all needed functions in the FPGAs * Provide inputs to team in charge designing digital circuit boards with FPGAs and Microcontrollers for space environment * Design and validation of digital interfaces circuitry (CAN, RS422 UART, I2C, SPI, Spacewire, etc.) * Write first test software for the system to validate interfaces and hardware functions * Validating the design and ensuring failure tolerance and radiation tolerance of the functions   KEY RESPONSIBILITIES   In your capacity as a Digital Electronics Engineer, your role will be continuously evolving, but day to day your duties will include: * Digital electronics architecture design * FPGA design and verification * Close working together with Systems Engineers to define capabilities and requirements of the digital functionality * Writing first test software for the system to validate interfaces and hardware functions * Full test cycle from first power up of prototypes to serial test concept of flight hardware * Creation and adaptation of test scripts in Python for test automation   WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE FROM YOU   In the role of Digital Electronics Engineer ideally, you will have the following: * Finished bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Embedded Systems or similar (can be substituted with several years of relevant work experience) * Relevant work experience in FPGA / SoC design and / or verification * Experience using Microchip Libero or Xilinx Vivado * Solid VHDL / Verilog knowledge * Embedded software knowledge (MCUs, soft-cores) * Knowledge of VUnit/UVVM is a plus * Hands-on mentality working in the laboratory (Soldering, prototype board debugging, etc.) * Knowledge of radiation effects and radiation related failure mechanisms in electronic circuits is a plus (Single Event Upsets, Single Event Transients, etc.) * Knowledge of environmental qualification and relevant standards ECSS / NASA-HBK / NASA -CBCS / MIL-STD for programming, Interfaces, etc. is a plus.   Why you should join us! What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:   * We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind  * We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them   * We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?   We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly.    The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.   All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible. If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.