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 SystemVerilog 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 SystemVerilog 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 throughput 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 SystemVerilog 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 SystemVerilog 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