FPGA Designer Lead
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About the role
Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 4000 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there. For more information, visit www.mda.space .
Role:
The FPGA Lead will report to the FPGA Manager. The individual will lead the development of one or more FPGA for various space applications such as robotics, command & control, radar imaging, telecommunications and digital signal processing.
Tasks
- Collaborate with other engineering teams (system, software, board, etc.) to understand the project’s technical requirements
- Make sure the higher level requirements are properly converted into FPGA requirements and architectures
- Plan staged FPGA deliveries for integration & test with other unit or system level designs, ex: hardware or software, or even with the customer
- Participate in reviews to ensure that FPGA module requirements are properly converted into HW description documents that describe in words and diagrams what the design will consist of
- Supervise requirement traceability management
- Ensure FPGA Interface Control Documents (ICDs) are produced and adequate
- Collaborate with other engineering teams (system, software, board, test, etc.) to integrate FPGA designs into the larger system
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior team members, helping them to grow and develop their skills
- Participate in writing VHDL code for the modules or FPGA
- Participate in synthesizing and placement & routing of the design
- Support the functional verification carried out by the verification team
- Provide laboratory support to board developers, test software developers and, where applicable, embedded software developers.
Required Qualifications
- Electrical Engineering (EE) or equivalent Bachelor’s degree
- Fifteen (15) years or more of experience designing and/or architecting FPGAs or ASICs
- Experience in technical leadership of a FPGA development team
- Knowledge of Synplify, Modelsim, Xilinx Vivado, Microchip/Microsemi Libero
- Familiarity with the Unix/Linux environment and script languages (CShell, Tcl, Python)
- Exposure to automated verification techniques for test benches
- Strong inter-personal skills and an ability to work well in a team
- Knowledge of Jira and Confluence
- Good verbal and written communication skills in French and ideally also in English ( Contact with customers outside Québec, work on English-language deliverables).
- Knowledge of space radiation effects on electronic components is a plus
- Knowledge of SystemVerilog is a plus
- Knowledge of Xilinx Versal ACAP is a plus
Comments/Special Considerations
Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).
We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.
We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity and collaboration, we are committed to growing MDA’s and Canada’s leadership in this next golden age.
MDA provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; extended healthcare and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans; and an employee and family assistance program.
MDA is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.
Copied from the listing MDA Space published, verified 5 Nov 2026.
About MDA Space
Communications satellites, the Canadarm space robots and radar Earth observation, from Canada.
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