FPGA Design Engineer - job 2 of 2

As a Senior FPGA Design Engineer at The Boeing Company, your primary responsibilities include developing FPGA requirements and code for logic design, creating self-checking test benches, conducting synthesis and timing analysis, and supporting system integration activities. You will also be tasked with collaborating across various engineering disciplines to produce high-quality, robust designs that meet crucial applications like flight command and control.

To apply for the Senior FPGA Design Engineer role at The Boeing Company, you need a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or a related field, along with at least 5 years of experience using FPGA design tools and Hardware Description Language (HDL) code development. A solid understanding of FPGA design principles and experience with industry-standard tools is essential for this position.

Preferred qualifications for the Senior FPGA Design Engineer at The Boeing Company include a Master’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering, experience with Verilog, C/C++, and MATLAB/Simulink, as well as familiarity with FPGA design tools such as Xilinx Vivado and NCSim. Having experience in aerospace design techniques and managing configuration controls using GitLab will be advantageous for candidates.

The work environment for a Senior FPGA Design Engineer at Boeing is collaborative and innovative. You'll be part of cross-functional teams focused on designing and developing state-of-the-art technologies. The emphasis is on teamwork, continuous learning, and staying current with industry advancements to ensure that you're always on the cutting edge of technology.

As a Senior FPGA Design Engineer at The Boeing Company, you'll enjoy a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, which may include health insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance, and generous paid time off. Boeing also emphasizes professional development and offers opportunities for continue education and training.

In answering this question, discuss the specific FPGA design tools you have used, such as Xilinx Vivado or Altera Quartus. Highlight any projects where you've utilized these tools, emphasizing any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, demonstrating your problem-solving skills.

Provide a structured approach to debugging FPGA designs, such as using simulation tools, test benches, and systematic isolation of issues. Share examples of past debugging experiences that led to successful resolutions, showcasing your methodical analysis and technical expertise.

Discuss your strategies for continuous learning, such as attending workshops, online courses, and industry conferences. Mention specific resources like journals, websites, or forums that you regularly consult to ensure you are aware of the latest trends and technologies in FPGA design.

Share an example of a specific team project that required cross-functional collaboration. Highlight your role, the teams involved, and how effective communication and shared goals led to achieving a successful outcome, reflecting your teamwork and collaboration skills.

Discuss critical factors like reliability, scalability, and compliance with aerospace standards. Explain how you ensure high performance under stringent requirements, such as safety and testing protocols unique to the aerospace industry.

Outline the steps involved in FPGA synthesis, including converting HDL code into a gate-level representation and optimizing for performance. Discuss timing analysis and its importance in ensuring that signals propagate correctly within the design.

Discuss a specific challenge you encountered during FPGA validation, the impact it had on the project, and the steps you took to address it. Emphasize your analytical thinking and proactive ability to resolve issues effectively.

Describe your experience with configuration control systems such as GitLab. Explain how you utilize branching, merging, and documentation practices to ensure project integrity and maintain accurate design iterations throughout the design process.

Share the specific high-speed serial interface protocols (like SERDES) you have worked with, detailing any relevant projects and the importance of these designs in ensuring efficient data transfer within FPGA applications.

Discuss your communication strategies and adaptability when working with engineers from disciplines such as software, systems, and hardware. Share an example of a successful project where interdisciplinary collaboration played a key role in achieving the desired results.