FPGA Engineer – RISC-V & Advanced Digital Systems

The Role:

In the Innovation department, we are seeking an experienced FPGA Engineer to work on the design, prototyping, and validation of complex FPGA-based systems, with a strong focus on RISC-V-based platforms, high-performance digital design, and advanced system-level prototyping in mixed research–industry environments.

You will play a key role in defining and implementing FPGA-centric architectures used for early system validation, hardware/software co-development, performance evaluation, and risk reduction ahead of ASIC or product-level implementations. The role combines hands-on FPGA technical leadership with acting as a technical interface with other departments of the company, ensuring effective collaboration and high-quality outcomes in FPGA developments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and contribute to FPGA-based system design flows, from architectural definition and RTL design to implementation, timing closure, and on-board validation.

• Define and implement FPGA architectures, including RISC-V-based systems, accelerators, and complex digital subsystems.

• Drive technical decisions related to RTL design, simulation, synthesis, place & route, timing closure, and FPGA sign-off.

• Design, implement, and maintain FPGA prototypes to validate architectures, subsystems, and full systems.

• Enable early software bring-up, hardware/software co-verification, and performance characterization using FPGA platforms.

• Interface with FPGA vendors and toolchains (Xilinx/AMD, Intel/Altera or equivalent) and external industrial partners.

• Act as technical point of contact for FPGA design and prototyping contracts with other departments of the company and external collaborators.

• Coordinate, supervise, and technically validate externally developed FPGA designs, ensuring alignment with internal architectures, schedules, and quality requirements.

• Facilitate effective collaboration and technology transfer between internal teams and public research institutions.

• Contribute to European collaborative R&D projects, representing the company in technical discussions with research institutes, universities, and industrial partners.

• Support technology scouting and evaluation of new FPGA platforms, IPs, and prototyping methodologies.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in FPGA and digital system design within microelectronics or embedded systems environments.

• Proven experience with complete FPGA design flows: RTL, simulation, synthesis, P&R, timing closure, and on-board validation.

• Strong expertise in digital design languages (VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog).

• Extensive hands-on experience with FPGA platforms and toolchains (Xilinx/AMD Vivado, Intel Quartus, or equivalent).

• Solid background in RISC-V systems, embedded processors, and SoC-like FPGA architectures.

• Experience with hardware/software co-design, FPGA-based system bring-up, and debugging.

• Deep understanding of FPGA design methodologies, constraints, and performance optimization.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience using FPGAs as ASIC prototyping or pre-silicon validation platforms.

• Experience in high-performance computing, AI accelerators, or data-intensive systems.

• Previous involvement in EU-funded collaborative R&D projects (Horizon Europe, Chips JU, IPCEI, etc.).

• Familiarity with high-speed interfaces (PCIe, DDR, Ethernet, SerDes).

What Do We Offer?

• Join a highly innovative microelectronics company working at the forefront of FPGA-based system prototyping and RISC-V platforms.

• Opportunity to play a key technical leadership role in advanced digital system validation and HW/SW co-development.

• Collaboration with top-tier research institutions and industrial partners across Europe.

• Flexible working conditions and hybrid work environment.

• Competitive remuneration aligned with seniority and expertise.

• Position based in Barcelona.

We are looking for outstanding people willing to join our mission to change this industry and help to build a better world.

If you feel identified with Openchip, please contact us. We can offer a competitive compensation package in a flexible work schema that will help you to keep a balance between your personal and professional life.

At Openchip & Software Technologies S.L., we believe a diverse and inclusive team is the key to groundbreaking ideas. We foster a work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential – regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.