Senior FPGA Engineer & System Prototyping Lead

Senior FPGA Engineer & System Prototyping LeadAbout imec QatarImec Qatar is a new regional office where we drive our mission of pioneering innovative semiconductor solutions that lay the foundation for a smarter, greener, and truly AI‑driven future. Specializing in advanced design tools for emerging technologies like silicon photonics and 3D integrated circuits, imec Qatar is at the forefront of chip development. And we’re driving the future with intelligent solutions to optimise infrastructure, and deep‑tech innovations targeting applications for a sustainable society. This is more than just a new office – it’s the start of an exciting journey. With the launch of imec Qatar, you have the unique opportunity to join us from day one and help shape the future of semiconductor innovation in the region. Be part of the team from the very beginning, joining us as Senior FPGA Engineer & System Prototyping Lead!What you will doJoin imec’s Research Center in Qatar in a unique dual‑impact role as Senior FPGA Engineer and System Prototyping Lead. You will be instrumental in establishing and leading the centre’s FPGA prototyping and system validation laboratory while driving the implementation and verification of cutting‑edge RISC‑V based compute architectures. This is a rare opportunity to build a state‑of‑the‑art prototyping facility from the ground up while working hands‑on with next‑generation HPC and Mobile SoC designs. You’ll define lab infrastructure, establish workflows, and create the foundation for rapid architecture exploration and system validation that will serve the centre for years to come.FPGA Engineering & PrototypingLead FPGA‑based prototyping of RISC‑V compute architectures and SoC designsImplement and optimise complex RTL designs on high‑end FPGA platforms (Xilinx Virtex/UltraScale+, Intel Stratix/Agilex)Develop system‑level prototypes integrating processors, accelerators, memory controllers, and interconnectsCreate hardware‑software co‑validation environments for architecture explorationDesign and implement debugging infrastructure, performance monitors, and measurement frameworksLaboratory Setup & Infrastructure DevelopmentDesign and establish the centre’s FPGA prototyping and system validation laboratory from scratchDefine equipment requirements and specifications for FPGA development platforms, test equipment, and measurement toolsProcure and commission FPGA development boards, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, power analyzers, and supporting infrastructureEstablish laboratory safety protocols, equipment maintenance procedures, and inventory management systemsDesign and implement lab network infrastructure supporting high‑bandwidth data transfer and remote accessTechnical Leadership & CollaborationServe as the technical expert and go‑to resource for FPGA design and system prototypingCollaborate with computer architects to translate architecture specifications into FPGA implementationsInterface with software teams to enable early software development on FPGA prototypesMethodology & Tool DevelopmentEstablish FPGA design flows, build systems, and continuous integration frameworksDevelop automation scripts and tools to accelerate design iteration and validationCreate measurement and analysis frameworks for performance characterizationYou will be part of imec, and that means…You will join a world‑class research centre in nanotechnology at our brand‑new office in Doha (Qatar). You will build a team that shapes technology that will determine the society of tomorrow. Imec is an inclusive employer with an open, multicultural, and informal working environment. We provide ample room for initiative and professional development.Who you areRequired SkillsMSc in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, or related field (PhD preferred)7+ years of hands‑on FPGA design and implementation experienceExpert‑level proficiency in:RTL design using Verilog/SystemVerilog or VHDLFPGA synthesis, implementation, and timing closureXilinx Vivado and/or Intel Quartus toolchainsHigh‑speed interface design (PCIe, DDR, Ethernet, SERDES)Debugging tools (ILA, ChipScope, SignalTap)Proven experience with large‑scale, multi‑FPGA system designsStrong understanding of computer architecture and SoC design principlesExperience setting up or managing hardware laboratories and test infrastructureSolid scripting skills (Python, Tcl, shell) for automation and build flowsExcellent problem‑solving abilities and hands‑on troubleshooting skillsStrong project management and organizational capabilitiesExcellent communication skills in EnglishIMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee‑based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will no