Principal FPGA Designer

Kron Technologies is a high-performance, multidisciplinary hardware company that builds virtually everything in-house, from software and firmware for FPGAs and SOCs, to electronics, mechanics, and optics. We make innovative, high-speed imaging tools for demanding professionals, and we do it with a small, ambitious team of engineers who thrive on ownership and building things from the ground up.

About the Role:
We are looking for a Principal FPGA Designer who lives and breathes digital design. This is a hands-on technical leadership role where you will own the FPGA architecture and drive it forward. You will work on cutting-edge high-speed imaging equipment — architecting and implementing image-processing systems, adding new features, and mentoring others as needed. You will be writing and simulating RTL, debugging in the lab, and contributing to the existing design from day one. This role carries full architectural ownership: you will make the calls on how the FPGA platform evolves.

What You Will Do:

• Lead FPGA architecture decisions for new and existing products, including evaluating requirements and defining system-level design approaches.
• Design, implement, and own FPGA IP cores in Verilog, from concept through hardware validation.
• Bring up new hardware platforms and validate FPGA designs on new board revisions, including physical interface bring-up (LVDS deserializers, sensor interfaces, high-speed serial links).
• Produce detailed system-level and IP-core design specifications and documentation.
• Build and maintain simulation testbenches (ModelSim, Xilinx Simulator, or equivalent) for IP-core and system-level validation.
• Drive timing closure and implement logic to meet strict timing requirements in high-speed designs.
• Work closely with hardware and software teams on board bring-up, pin planning, and interface integration.
• Define and enforce design best practices, including clock-domain-crossing strategies, reset handling, and coding standards.
• Review code and designs, and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and contractors.
• Evaluate and recommend new FPGA platforms, tools, and methodologies.
• Contribute to technical roadmap planning and effort estimation for FPGA-related work.
• (Nice to have) Design and lay out PCBs, including matched-length high-speed differential pairs and DDR interfaces.

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of hands-on FPGA design experience with strong Verilog/SystemVerilog skills.
• Demonstrated ability to own and drive FPGA architecture decisions at the system level.
• Hands-on experience with Xilinx FPGAs (Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC).
• Proven comfort and proficiency bringing up FPGA designs on new hardware platforms, including debugging physical interfaces at the board level.
• Knowledge of C, Python, and TCL.
• Comfortable working on Linux platforms.
• Deep mastery of clock-domain-crossing techniques and proven ability to close timing in complex multi-clock designs.
• Strong experience designing and verifying high-speed interfaces, including PCIe, DDR4, and LVDS.
• Proficiency with simulation tools such as ModelSim or equivalent.
• Proven experience taking FPGA designs from architecture through integration and validation.
• Track record of mentoring engineers or leading technical design efforts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear technical documentation.
• Experience with source-control systems (Git) and collaborative development workflows.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and a methodical approach to root-cause analysis.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Background in camera systems, image-signal-processing pipelines, or video compression (ProRes, H.264/H.265, RAW formats).
• Experience with high-speed sensor interfaces and image-datapath design.
• Familiarity with DDR memory-controller design and bandwidth optimization.
• Experience with Altium Designer or equivalent PCB-design tools.
• Genuine electronics hobbyist with personal or side projects in digital design.

Perks, Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full-time salaried role. Compensation will be determined based on experience and skills, within the posted salary range. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, prescription coverage, RRSP matching, and a Health & Lifestyle Spending Account. You’ll also have access to our shop space for personal projects, along with educational support for continued learning and development.

If this role sounds like a fit, please include a short note or cover letter in your application-we’d love to hear what excites you about this opportunity.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada at the time of application.

About Kron Technologies Inc.:

Kron Technologies is a fun, ambitious, and quickly growing business in its scale up phase that’s disrupting the world of high-speed cameras. We’re looking for talented individuals to join us having a blast while designing and manufacturing world-leading products. Our employees enjoy flexibility, freedom, and a fun, supportive environment. We’re located just north of Burnaby Lake in the Government Road neighborhood, a short walk from Production Way/University Skytrain station, and a 5-minute drive from Highway 1.