FPGA Lead

As an FPGA Lead at DRW, you will be responsible for architecting and implementing new FPGA applications from scratch. You'll facilitate software integration by developing new APIs, propose creative solutions for FPGA limitations, collaborate with software and strategy teams, and conduct thorough lab debugging for deployed solutions.

To qualify for the FPGA Lead position at DRW, you need a Bachelor's degree in Computer or Electrical Engineering, along with 4+ years of experience in hardware engineering, specifically with FPGA technology. Proficiency in RTL logic design using Verilog, experience with FPGA design flow, and strong debugging and data analysis skills are also essential.

At DRW, creativity is at the core of our culture, especially in the FPGA Lead role. We encourage you to propose innovative solutions to overcome limitations and embrace a proactive approach to problem-solving, leading projects from initial requirements through to production. Your ability to think outside the box will be highly valued.

As an FPGA Lead at DRW, you will work on various exciting projects aiming to create low-latency, high-throughput FPGA designs. These projects can range from system-on-chip architectures to optimizing existing trading systems, all while collaborating closely with a talented group of engineers and traders.

At DRW, the growth opportunities for an FPGA Lead are vast. You’ll have direct influence over critical trading technology, the ability to expand your skill set in innovative environments, and the chance to collaborate with experts across various disciplines, all while driving your projects and initiatives forward.

In your response, highlight specific projects you’ve worked on, detailing the design flow processes you followed, such as synthesis, place & route, and static timing analysis. Be sure to discuss any challenges faced and how you overcame them, demonstrating your expertise and problem-solving capabilities.

Explain your debugging methodology, including how you isolate issues, the tools you utilize, and the techniques you employ to resolve problems efficiently. Discuss any specific examples where your debugging skills led to successful issue resolution, emphasizing your analytical mindset.

Discuss your communication strategies and collaborative approaches. Mention your experiences with developing APIs and how you ensure alignment between hardware and software goals. Emphasizing your ability to translate technical jargon into understandable concepts for cross-team collaboration can also be beneficial.

A well-performing FPGA application should maximize throughput while maintaining low latency. Describe your understanding of performance metrics, optimization techniques, and how you balance hardware limitations with project requirements to deliver efficient solutions.

Share your preferred tools for RTL design, such as XILINX or ALTERA, and justify your choices based on factors like usability, functionality, and support. Highlight any projects that benefited from these tools, showcasing your hands-on experience and toolset knowledge.

Discuss your approach to continuous learning, mentioning specific resources such as academic journals, industry conferences, workshops, or online courses. This not only shows your commitment to professional growth but also highlights curiosity and a drive for innovation.

Talk about the specific projects where you utilized Verilog, detailing your responsibilities and the outcomes. Showcase your coding practices, problem-solving strategies, and how your use of Verilog led to successful project delivery.

Identify specific challenges, such as timing issues or resource limitations, detailing how you approached these difficulties. Discuss the innovative solutions you devised and the lessons learned, illustrating your problem-solving skills and resilience.

Your answer should reflect on project management techniques that emphasize clear communication, setting realistic deadlines, continuous testing and iteration, as well as fostering collaboration among team members to ensure project goals are achieved seamlessly.

Discuss your approach to feasibility analysis, including factors like hardware limitations, project scope, resource availability, and potential ROI. Providing an example of a feasibility evaluation you performed will underline your capability in assessing project viability.