Head of FPGA Engineering

About Northwood:

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company focused on connecting space and Earth. The world runs on space. Space will run on Northwood. Our global ground network ensures that missions ranging from national security, to global connectivity, to disaster response can unlock their full potential and operate every day without fail.

As Head of FPGA at Northwood Space, you will be responsible for executing on our ambitious digital roadmap to connect Earth and space. You would own complex projects integrating high‑speed signal processing and data transport, while also laying a strong foundation with FPGA best practices and automated infrastructure. As a player‑coach, you lead by example and by providing the context and mentorship for team success.

• Guide project architecture and work with other teams to nail down interfaces and requirements. Plan and prioritize work for the FPGA team to deliver mission‑critical projects on aggressive timelines.
• Mentor and develop the existing team, in addition to recruiting new talent to support upcoming projects.
• Steer the development of FPGA internal processes and infrastructure that allows the team to move rapidly.
• Dive in as deep as necessary to keep projects moving.

• 7-10+ years of professional experience
• Demonstrated ability to manage teams and lead complex projects
• Experience working on FPGA SoCs like Zynq or similar
• Experience with FPGA build systems and automated testing
• Experience with DSP and/or networking on FPGA
• Expert in System Verilog
• Proficient in Python
• Strong work ethic and drive to succeed
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced and demanding start‑up atmosphere
• Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• In‑person in Torrance

• Startup experience
• Aerospace experience
• Experience with C/C++ or rust

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.