Senior FPGA Engineer

About Heads Up Technologies

At Heads Up Technologies, we’re redefining what’s possible in the air. Since our beginnings in a Dallas hangar in 1985, we’ve grown into a global leader in aviation technology driven by innovation, precision, and a relentless pursuit of better in-flight experiences. From pioneering digital audio and lighting systems to uniting with STG Aerospace and ALTO Aviation under one brand, we continue to lead the way in cabin systems integration for business and commercial aircraft. Join us as we shape the future of aviation where lighting, entertainment, safety, and audio come together to elevate every journey.

Our Company

We are a team of engineers, innovators, creators, and problem solvers who are passionate about building smarter solutions for the aviation industry.

Through the combined strengths of our specialized brands and capabilities, Heads Up Technologies brings together deep technical expertise, modern design thinking, and a collaborative approach to support customers across every stage of the product lifecycle.

Our Culture

At Heads Up Technologies, our culture is grounded in shared values that guide how we work and grow.

Integrity

We act with honesty, accountability, and respect in everything we do.

Teamwork

We collaborate across teams and disciplines to achieve the best outcomes.

Excellence

We are committed to delivering high-quality work and continuously improving.

Expertise

We leverage our knowledge and experience to solve complex challenges

Our Mission

To elevate the aviation experience by delivering intelligent, integrated solutions powered by exceptional people.

Why work with us?

Joining Heads Up Technologies means being part of a team that is shaping the future of aviation.

We offer an environment where employees are empowered to contribute, grow their careers, and make a direct impact on innovative products used across the globe. Whether you are developing technology or supporting business operations, your work here matters.

Benefits and Perks

At Heads Up Technologies, we are committed to supporting the health, well being, and financial security of our employees and their families. Eligible employees have access to a competitive benefits package designed to support life at work and beyond.

Benefits may include:

• Medical plan options through Blue Cross Blue Shield (Company Paid)
• Dental and vision coverage
• Health Savings Account option with company contribution, if eligible
• Company paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance
• Company paid Long Term Disability coverage
• Voluntary Short Term Disability, Accident, and Critical Illness insurance
• Employee Assistance and Wellness Support resources
• Virtual care access
• Benefit Resource Center support
• Paid time off and paid holidays

Benefit eligibility and coverage are based on employment status, plan documents, and company policy. Official plan documents govern all benefits.

About the role

We are looking for a Senior FPGA Engineer to join our team in Kirkland, Washington or Addison, Texas. This is an onsite position requiring strong technical expertise in Xilinx FPGA development and video and audio processing for real time 4K plus video delivery in aircraft environments.

Key Details

• Work Days and Hours: Full time, Monday through Friday.
• Location: Onsite in Kirkland, Washington or Addison, Texas. Candidates must be currently located in the greater Seattle or Dallas/Addison area or willing to relocate.
• Compensation: Kirkland, Washington compensation is $180,000 to $210,000 per year. Salary will be adjusted based on geographic location.
• Work Eligibility: Must be a U.S. Citizen and authorized to work in the United States.

What you'll do

• Design and implement complex video and audio processing algorithms using Verilog targeting Xilinx devices.
• Implement video pipelines including up and down conversion, 4K/UHD, HDR/SDR, scaling, color conversion, and audio processing such as IEC 60958 LPCM and IEC 61937 Dolby/DTS, I2S TDM, AES67, CobraNet, Dante, and DSP functions.
• Integrate high speed interfaces including PCIe, DDR, Ethernet, HDMI, and SDI.
• Support USB based 4K video playback in an embedded cabin environment.
• Conduct simulation, verification, and laboratory debugging using logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and custom simulations.
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams on design partitioning, planning, implementation, board bring up, timing closure, and performance optimization.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams, including software, hardware, and systems engineering, to develop optimal architecture and FPGA requirements.
• Analyze and interpret hardware schematics to support integration. No board design is required.
• Integrate IP from other FPGA designers and maintain code reuse standards and practices.
• Create thorough design documents, specifications, and interface definitions.
• Contribute to existing projects with opportunities to lead new product development in the future.

Required Qualifications

• Eight to ten or more years of hands on FPGA development experience.
• Proven expertise with Xilinx FPGAs and related toolchains, including Vivado or similar tools.
• Strong skills creating concise, clear code in Verilog targeting Xilinx IP integration.
• Extensive experience with video I/O standards and interfaces, including HDMI, DisplayPort, MIPI CSI 2/DSI 2, GMSL, GigE, and SDI, plus integration and customization of vendor/IP cores.
• Deep experience with video and audio pipelines, including real time 4K signal processing and handling digital audio streams.
• Proficiency in high speed digital design methods and best practices supporting multiple clock domains, AXI streaming and memory mapped IP interfaces, coherent configuration and status across designs, and clean clock crossings.
• Familiarity with FPGA and processor system co design, including external and on die hard/soft IP processor architectures. Zynq platform experience is strongly desired.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, fast paced, hardware and software integrated environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with video compression, decompression, and/or audio resampling and manipulation techniques.
• Understanding of Linux environments, including scripting for FPGA development tools.
• Exposure to DevOps practices in software and firmware CI/CD pipelines.
• Strong cross disciplinary collaboration skills and comfort wearing multiple hats.