Embedded Software Engineer

Perceptive Innovations, Inc. (PI2) is a young and growing small business specializing in advanced systems engineering, hardware, and software development. Perceptive Innovations develops innovative small-SWaP software-defined tactical systems for ISR, threat warning, and battlefield situation awareness. We are currently developing a state of the art digital augmented reality multispectral day/night head mounted system which will set a new standard for photon-to-photon low latency, a wideband digital SIGINT receiver, and small SWaP Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). The company was founded with the purpose of developing new and innovative small-SWaP software-defined tactical systems that enable the advanced capabilities on body-worn or small unmanned sensors such as:

  • Image Processing and Sensor Fusion

  • Electronic Warfare (EW)

  • SIGINT

  • Multi-INT Heterogeneous Sensing

  • Threat Warning and Geolocation

  • Advanced Navigation and Positioning

PI2's passion is to provide sensors for the tactical operator, hand-launched UAS, unattended sensors, and enable future autonomous collaborative sensor networks. We have current programs developing advanced high-performance low-latency video processing for next-generation digital night vision augmented-reality goggles (FPGA-based), and reduced-SWaP combined synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and lidar (SAL) image formation (GPP- and FPGA-based). To support our growing contract base, we are seeking a highly talented and motivated Embedded FPGA Software Engineer to develop realtime software running on multicore linux processors inside of the latest Zynq Ultrascale+ FPGA SoC. This project will develop prototype HMD headsets integrating multiple cameras, processor, and display, with hands-on development of real time FPGA software and firmware culminating with interactive evaluation by Air Force operators.

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Successful applicant must be a U.S. Citizen with the future ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance

Responsibilities Include

Perceptive Innovations is seeking a self-starting and experienced individual to take the lead role as embedded software architect and developer for FPGA SoC and CPU SoC image processing and FPGA control development and implementation for a battery powered digital night vision goggle system, wideband RF signal processing, and synthetic aperture radar systems.

  • Design and implementation of Embedded Software for FPGA or CPU SoC processing systems

  • Embedded Linux and CUDA on NVIDIA Jetson GPU SoC processing systems

  • Real time Software development with Linux and "Bare Metal" on Arm multicore processors

  • Real time hardware control and interfacing with/within an FPGA, including shared memory, DMA, FIFOs, and I/O interfaces

  • Development of self-checking unit/system-level tests, test benches, and simulations

  • Troubleshooting and resolving design issues

  • Preparation of detailed technical design documentation and required reports

  • Independent time management of responsibilities, to include work planning and assignment, communication of status and code reviews, with a startup spirit and work ethic to get the job done within constrained timelines and funding

  • Knowledge of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is highly desired

  • Bonus consideration for ability to Design and implement VHDL firmware in the FPGA

Qualifications

The position requires complete competence in embedded software development, and specifically experience with the real time considerations of a small embedded system with low-level hardware interfaces. Extra consideration given to candidates with experience with FPGA RTL design, simulation, and implementation experience (VHDL primary, Verilog secondary). The following skillsets are also required:

  • Some familiarity with Xilinx FPGA design flows using Vivado (synthesis, place & route, etc.) in both TCL scripted and GUI methodologies

  • Familiarity with full development cycle of FPGA design and recent Xilinx experience with UltraScale devices, preferably including the Zynq UltraScale+ MPSOC and Versal devices

  • Understanding of digital signal processing hardware architectures, and ideally image processing

  • Familiarity with digital electronics hardware design

  • Linux and embedded operating systems

  • Strong understanding of software and hardware interaction, and ideally experience in Xilinx SoC development with embedded multicore processors and FPGA hardware/software co-design

  • Excellent verbal and written skills to interact with design teams, management and customers

  • Other duties as assigned

  • Bachelors degree in Computer Engineering or similar, Masters degree desired

  • Minimum 1 years' (2-5 desired) experience working with embedded software development and FPGAs

The Following Skillsets Are Desired

  • Experience with digital signal processing, including video and RF signal processing

  • Experience with PicoBlaze, MicroBlaze and ARM Cortex A9

  • Working knowledge of lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal sources, power supplies

  • Xilinx FPGAs and Vivado Tool Suite

  • Altera FPGAs and Quartus Tool Suite

  • NVIDIA JetPack and CUDA Toolkit

  • Use of collaboration tools for codebase control in team environment

  • MATLAB/Simulink modeling of signal processing systems, at a minimum able to understand a high level model and convert to an implementation

  • At least a working knowledge of FPGA HDL languages (VHDL, Verilog) and understanding of PS/PL interactions and integration

  • Experience with script languages (Tcl, Python, Perl, Ruby, etc.)

  • A bachelor's degree in EE/CE/ECE is required; CS degree will be considered with relevant coursework and experience. A master's degree is strongly preferred. Preference will be given to applicants with prior relevant experience.

  • Perceptive Innovations offers competitive pay in a relaxed and independent work environment, with a growing benefits package and an early-stage startup incentive stock options plan for qualified applicants.

  • Perceptive Innovations is an equal opportunity employer.

  • Successful applicant must be a U.S. Citizen with the future ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance