FPGA Design Engineer, Senior

About Positron AI

Positron AI is building next-generation AI inference accelerators designed from the ground up for low-latency, high-throughput large language model inference. Our first-generation ASIC, Asimov, is a cutting-edge accelerator targeting frontier AI workloads, with additional generations already underway.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior FPGA Design Engineer to own FPGA designs from microarchitecture through lab-based silicon validation. In this role, you will work closely with inference system architects, software, verification, and hardware teams to design, implement, and release networking and digital logic functions targeting FPGA and ASIC technologies. You will also build FPGA prototypes that let the team validate architectural choices early, and you will play a hands-on role in bringing up complete systems that combine FPGA, firmware, and software. Your trade-off decisions across cost, size, power, performance, and features will directly shape the customer experience of Positron's inference platforms.

Key Responsibilities

End-to-End FPGA Development

• Create and release FPGAs through every development phase: microarchitecture, RTL design, physical implementation, timing closure, simulation validation, and lab-based silicon validation.
• Define, design, implement, test, release, and support networking functions for FPGA and ASIC targets in partnership with inference system architects.

Cross-Functional Design & Prototyping

• Partner with software, verification, and inference system architects and design engineers to implement digital logic functions in FPGA and ASIC technologies.
• Build FPGA prototypes that validate architecture and design alternatives and inform trade-off decisions before committing to silicon.

System Bring-Up & Optimization

• Bring up and test systems that combine FPGA, firmware, and software functions alongside systems architects, hardware engineering, and software teams.
• Drive trade-off analysis that improves customer experience and optimizes target technology resources for cost, size, power, performance, and features.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience in FPGA and/or ASIC design and implementation.
• Hands-on proficiency in SystemVerilog RTL coding.
• A proven record of designing, testing, delivering, and supporting multiple FPGAs or ASICs that have shipped to customers.
• Direct experience working with high-end Intel and Xilinx (AMD) FPGAs.
• Strong working knowledge of modern ASIC and FPGA design and verification tools.
• Deep practical experience across microarchitecture, RTL coding, FPGA optimization for timing and power, simulation, and validation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with artificial intelligence workloads, particularly large language model inference.
• Familiarity with cocotb or other Python-based logic verification frameworks.
• A track record of successfully fielding and supporting FPGA and ASIC products in production environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability, paired with clear communication skills.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively within a cross-functional technical team.

Leveling & Scope

While this role is currently posted at a specific level, we are a growth-oriented organization and are open to hiring at a more senior level for the right candidate. Please note that this job description serves as a focused but generalized overview of the role; specific responsibilities and impact expectations will be tailored to the experience and seniority of the final hire.

Why Join Us?

• Own FPGA designs end to end, from microarchitecture to lab validation, on hardware purpose-built for frontier LLM inference.
• Shape the networking and system architecture of next-generation AI accelerators while working shoulder to shoulder with architects, software, and silicon teams.

Compensation & Benefits

The base salary range for this role is $200,000 - $250,000.

Please note that the figures provided represent the base salary range only and do not include other elements of our total compensation package, equity, or comprehensive benefits.

At Positron AI, we value the unique expertise each candidate brings. While the range above reflects our typical expectation for the position, we reserve the flexibility to exceed this range for candidates whose specialized skills, significant experience, or unique qualifications fall outside the standard scope of the role. Final offers are determined based on a variety of factors, including internal equity, and individual impact.

Benefits & Perks

We want you to do your best work and feel confident that you and your family are taken care of. That means comprehensive coverage, real time to rest, and support for your future.

Health and wellness

• Fully company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents
• Company-paid life and disability coverage, with voluntary options to add more
• Supplemental hospital, critical illness, and accident coverage available

Time off and flexibility

• Unlimited paid time off; we encourage everyone to truly unplug and recharge
• 13 paid company holidays
• Remote-first culture with a company-provided computer and home office setup

Compensation and future

• Competitive salary and equity
• 401(k) with company matching, eligible from day one

Visa Support

This position is open to candidates currently authorized to work in the U.S. We cannot provide new visa sponsorship for this role but are open to facilitating H-1B visa transfers for eligible candidates.

Equal Opportunity Employer. If you're excited about the role but don't meet every bullet, we'd still love to hear from you.