FPGA Design Engineer

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. 

What We Offer

Salary:

$124,000.00 - $171,000.00

Location:

Santa Clara,CA

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more. 

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits. 

As an Electrical Engineer, you are responsible for designing, modifying, and troubleshooting electrical or electronic engineering assemblies, layouts, schematics, and drawings to advance the equipment that supports our technology. Using your technical experience and critical thinking skills, you will perform engineering analysis, generate test reports, develop innovative solutions, and create documentation for product releases. You will also coordinate the procurement and assembly of components, identify sources of critical parts, and resolve technical issues to ensure peak performance.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced FPGA Design Engineer with strong expertise in Xilinx Zynq SoC/MPSoC platforms and practical experience in camera sensor interfaces and image processing pipelines. The ideal candidate will design, implement, and optimize FPGA-based solutions for real-time imaging applications. The candidate will play a key role in developing FPGA-based imaging systems and supporting hardware bring-up for new boards.

Key Responsibilities
FPGA & Zynq Development

•    Design and implement FPGA logic using Vivado, IP Integrator, and Vitis.
•    Develop RTL modules in VHDL/Verilog for Zynq PL or Xilinx FPGA.
•    Build and integrate custom IP cores and AXI interfaces.

•    Implement HW-SW co-design using ARM processors on Zynq SoCs.
•    Implement xDMA, memory IP to realize data transfer between PS and PL.

•    Implement high-speed IO to realize data transfer between different FPGAs.

CMOS Sensor & Image Processing
•    Integrate and interface camera sensor in FPGA.

•    Develop and optimize real-time image processing pipelines for: Image filtering, conversion, scaling, Frame buffering and memory management.

•    Implement hardware accelerators to realize high frame rate application.

PCB Bring-Up
•    Participate in FPGA-related PCB bring-up: power sequencing, voltage validation, clock bring-up.
•    Debug hardware issues using multimeters, oscilloscopes, chipscope.
•    Validate board-level interfaces such as DDR, high-speed IOs, I2C, UART, SPI.
•    Work closely with hardware engineers on schematics, layout reviews, and FPGA pin assignment planning.
•    Support signal integrity, timing, and high-speed routing considerations during board development.
Verification, Testing & Debugging
•    Create simulation testbenches and verification plans.
•    Validate designs on Zynq evaluation boards (ZCU102, custom boards).
•    Perform hardware debugging using ILA, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers.
•    Conduct performance tuning for timing closure, throughput, latency, and resource utilization.
System Integration
•    Work with embedded developers to integrate FPGA logic with Linux or bare-metal applications.
•    Configure PS-PL interfaces, DMA and memory controllers.
•    Collaborate in developing end-to-end imaging systems (sensor, FPGA, ARM, image processing).
Documentation & Collaboration
•    create & maintain documentation for design specifications and development workflows

•    work on test plan, test procedures, test fixture and test report.
•    Participate in design reviews and cross-functional team collaboration.

Required Skills & Qualifications

•    Bachelor’s/Master’s degree

•    5 - 8 years of experience in EE / Computer / Embedded HW or related field.
•    Strong experience with development of Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ and FPGA.
•    Proficiency in FPGA design flows, and Embedded system integration.
•    Experience with CCD sensor interfaces and image processing.
•    Solid knowledge of AXI, xDMA, frame buffers, DDR and high-speed IO.

•    Good knowledge of digital electronics, schematics, and board-level design.
•    Strong debugging skills using ChipScope and lab equipment.
•    Understanding of timing analysis, CDC, and performance optimization.

Soft Skills
•    Strong self-motivation and strong problem-solving and analytical mindset.
•    Ability to work cross-functionally with hardware and software teams.
•    Good communication and documentation skills.
•    Self-directed and able to handle multiple tasks or fast-paced development cycles.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 10% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

Yes

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.