FPGA Engineer

Full Time Reg

• Grand Rapids, MI, US
• Phoenix, AZ, US
• About Acron Aviation (Avionics):
• Acron Aviation designs, engineers, and manufactures certified avionics systems that support safety‑critical flight operations across commercial and military aviation.

Our avionics portfolio includes surveillance, recorders, displays, and related systems developed in regulated environments and deployed on aircraft worldwide. We partner closely with operators and OEMs to deliver reliable, certifiable technology throughout the full product lifecycle—from development and qualification through production and aftermarket support. At Acron Aviation, avionics engineering is rooted in technical rigor, operational discipline, and a customer‑first approach to execution.

• About our

Surveillance Product Line:

• Acron Aviation's Surveillance organization develops and sustains safety‑critical systems that enable aircraft awareness, collision avoidance, and airspace interoperability.

Our surveillance portfolio includes ADS‑B, Mode S transponders, traffic collision avoidance, and integrated surveillance solutions deployed across commercial, military, and rotorcraft platforms. This work is performed in highly regulated environments. It requires deep expertise in systems, hardware, software, and RF across the full lifecycle—from requirements and certification through production and in‑service support. Surveillance engineering at Acron Aviation emphasizes technical rigor, disciplined execution, and close coordination with operators and OEM partners.

• Job Description:

• We are seeking an early- to mid-career FPGA/Firmware Engineer to join our surveillance hardware product development team.

In this role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, verifying, and maintaining safety-critical firmware for avionics and embedded systems for TCAS and transponder applications in compliance with DO-254 standards. You will work closely with hardware engineers, system architects, and certification authorities to ensure robust design assurance processes are followed throughout the product lifecycle. Ideal candidates will have a deep understanding of

FPGA/ASIC

development, VHDL/Verilog, and requirements-based verification, with experience developing firmware for FAA/EASA-certified aerospace systems. You will be involved with multidisciplinary project teams comprising mechanical, electrical, digital/analog, RF, firmware, and software engineers in planning, designing, prototyping, and testing of avionics systems. Design focus will include surveillance avionics for Air Transport, General Aviation, and emerging platforms such as Urban Air Mobility (UAM) eVTOL aircraft.

• Essential Functions:

• Experience with Xilinx and Microchip FPGAs along with associated tools (ISE, Vivado, Libero)
• Experience with simulation tools (Active HDL/QuestaSim)
• Must be knowledgeable in VHDL and/or Verilog RTL coding
• Knowledge of DO-254 Airborne Electronic Hardware development lifecycle
• Experience with requirements-based verification
• Generate design documents including HRDs, HDDs, and HCIAs. Generate certification documents such as PHACs.
• Effectively communicate across multiple technical teams.
• Communicate directly with customers, in person or virtually, to understand their problems and formulate actionable solutions.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Travel up to 10%.

• Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 5 years of prior related experience.
• Minimum 3 years of prior relevant experience in an engineering discipline with systems engineering principles, including requirements definition, requirements verification, design reviews and documentation, integration, test, and demonstration.
• Minimum 3 years' experience with FPGA and firmware design.
• Hands-on experience designing and developing avionics products, RF, or sensor systems.

• Preferred Additional Skills:

• Experience with and an understanding of aerospace systems, especially in the development of integrated hardware/software products
• Exposure to Model-Based Systems Engineering
• Awareness of electrical development requirements as they impact firmware and FPGA design
• Experience with RTOS integration and understanding of its implications on hardware design
• Practical understanding of the complexities of RF design, especially in the L-band frequency range, and application of RF FPGA principles
• Excellent people skills, with experience leading and collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team environment.
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, & presentation)
• Knowledge of DO-160 and DO-178
• Experience with Design to Cost and Design for Manufacturability
• Experience effectively supporting the production and testing of products in a different geographic location
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple programs and responsibilities simultaneously
• Ability to operate and identify an appropriate path forward with minimal oversight
• Pilot License or Part 107 certificate Acron Aviation is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Acron Aviation is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and to maintaining a workplace free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. Acron Aviation maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law. Acron Aviation is an E-Verify Employer.