FPGA Engineer

Job Description

Q-Block Computing is seeking an FPGA Engineer to join our innovative team in Canada. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of cutting‑edge quantum technologies in sensing, communication, and computation. The candidate will join Q-Block Computing to design and implement FPGA‑based real‑time processing and control subsystems that interface directly with quantum hardware platforms.

Job Summary

As an FPGA Engineer, you will collaborate with other team members and achieve technical milestones under the guidance of the Technical Lead — Orchestration Control. Job duties include the design, implementation, simulation, and verification of FPGA logic for real‑time data acquisition, signal processing, timing distribution, and hardware control. This role bridges the boundary between high‑speed digital hardware and the firmware/software control stack.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, simulate, and verify RTL modules in VHDL or Verilog for FPGA‑based real‑time control and data acquisition subsystems.
• Develop high‑speed digital interfaces between FPGA fabric and external peripherals including ADCs, DACs, DDS synthesizers, and high‑speed serial transceivers.
• Implement real‑time signal processing pipelines within FPGA fabric, including filtering, decimation, accumulation, and feedback control paths.
• Design and implement deterministic timing and synchronization logic to coordinate multi‑channel and multi‑node hardware operations at sub‑microsecond precision.
• Develop and maintain FPGA build flows, constraint files, and synthesis scripts for target platforms.
• Create simulation testbenches and verification environments to validate RTL functionality, timing closure, and interface compliance prior to hardware deployment.
• Integrate FPGA subsystems with embedded firmware running on ARM Cortex‑M or similar microcontrollers via shared‑memory, SPI, or AXI‑style interfaces.
• Perform on‑hardware debugging and characterization using logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and embedded instrumentation (ILA, SignalTap).
• Write documentation for FPGA architectures, interface protocols, register maps, and test procedures.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional firmware, hardware, infrastructure, and systems teams.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the team.

Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field; Master's degree is an asset.
• 4+ years of professional experience in FPGA design and verification using VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.

Security and Compliance Requirements

• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain Government of Canada security clearance, if required for assigned projects.
• Must be eligible to comply with requirements of the Controlled Goods Program, if required for assigned projects.
• Must be willing to participate in background screening, documentation, and compliance processes associated with security‑sensitive work.
• Experience working in regulated, security‑sensitive, or defense‑oriented engineering environments is an asset.

Skills

• Strong proficiency in VHDL or Verilog for RTL design; experience with both synthesis and simulation workflows.
• Hands‑on experience with Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus, or Lattice toolchains; familiarity with timing constraint definition and closure.
• Solid understanding of high‑speed digital design principles: clock domain crossings, pipelining, resource utilization optimization, and metastability mitigation.
• Experience implementing high‑speed ADC/DAC interfaces, JESD204B, LVDS, or multi‑gigabit serial transceivers on FPGA is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with embedded processor integration (AXI bus, soft‑core processors, or FPGA‑to‑MCU interfaces) is an asset.
• Exposure to digital signal processing implementation in FPGA fabric (FIR/IIR filters, NCOs, CORDICs) is an asset.
• Experience with Xilinx Zynq, Zynq UltraScale+, or comparable SoC‑FPGA platforms is an asset.
• Experience in scientific, defense, or deep‑tech hardware environments (photonics, RF, quantum, aerospace) is an asset.
• Hands‑on proficiency with laboratory instruments such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and signal generators.
• Strong attention to detail, authenticity, and a sense of responsibility in all tasks.
• Critical thinking and problem‑solving mindset.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment.

Benefits

• Extended health care benefits (inc. dental and vision)
• Life insurance

Equal Opportunity

Q-Block Computing is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents are strongly encouraged to apply. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply.

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