Joblaze summary

In this role, the Senior FPGA Prototyping Engineer is responsible for developing FPGA-based prototypes that facilitate early integration of ASICs and firmware, as well as supporting first-silicon bring-up and validation. Key skills include expertise in Verilog/SystemVerilog, FPGA tools, and hardware debugging, alongside proficiency in Python for automation. This position is ideal for experienced engineers with a strong background in FPGA development and ASIC design, particularly those familiar with high-speed digital interfaces. K2 Space is focused on scaling its satellite production, making this a pivotal role in a rapidly growing company.

Joblaze insights

Listed today — first seen on Joblaze November 12, 2026. Last confirmed on K2 Space's careers page November 12, 2026.
This exact title is also open at 2 other locations at K2 Space: Seattle, WA, United States - Remote.
Salary band is in line with the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$128,000).
Starts above 10% of 295 comparable senior other roles in United States that list Python we track (median $150,000 across 61 companies). See Python salary trends
Python appears in 16.5% of 2704 comparable senior other roles in United States; GPIO appears in 0.1% of 2704 comparable senior other roles in United States.

Quick facts

Is the Senior FPGA Prototyping Engineer role remote?: Yes — K2 Space lists this as a fully remote position.
What's the salary range?: K2 Space lists $120,000–$225,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?: At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Senior FPGA Prototyping Engineer role.
What's the tech stack?: Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Ethernet, FPGA, GPIO, JTAG, Python, SPI.
What seniority level is this role?: K2 Space targets senior candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?: Full-time for this Senior FPGA Prototyping Engineer role at K2 Space.

From the original posting

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The Role

We are seeking a Senior FPGA & Silicon Bring-up Engineer to accelerate the development of next-generation communications ASICs. You will own FPGA prototyping, firmware enablement, first-silicon bring-up, and hardware validation, serving as the bridge between ASIC design, firmware, software, and system integration. This role spans the entire silicon lifecycle from pre-silicon FPGA platforms that enable early hardware/software integration to post-silicon debug, interface validation, and automated test infrastructure.

Responsibilities

Develop FPGA-based prototypes to enable early ASIC integration, firmware development, and system validation.
Build hardware platforms that allow software and firmware teams to develop before first silicon.
Support first-silicon bring-up, debug, and functional validation.
Develop automated validation infrastructure for silicon characterization and regression testing.
Configure and validate digital interfaces including high-speed Ethernet SerDes, SPI, UART, GPIO, and other peripheral interfaces.
Develop FPGA-based traffic generators, protocol checkers, and test applications for interface validation.
Debug issues spanning RTL, firmware, software, FPGA prototypes, and silicon using simulation and laboratory instrumentation.
Collaborate closely with ASIC Design, Verification, Firmware, Software, Systems, and DFT teams to accelerate product development.

Qualifications

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
5+ years of FPGA development experience using Verilog/SystemVerilog and AMD/Xilinx FPGA tools.
Strong understanding of ASIC development and digital system architecture.
Experience with FPGA prototyping for ASIC development.
Experience with firmware/software enablement and hardware bring-up.
Strong hardware debugging skills using JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.
Proficiency with Python and scripting for automation and test infrastructure.

Nice to Have

Experience with networking, communications, or satellite systems.
Experience with embedded processors (ARM or RISC-V).
Experience working with hard real-time embedded systems (bare-metal or RTOS).
Experience validating high-speed digital interfaces, including Ethernet and SerDes protocols, SPI, and UART.
Experience with silicon bring-up using JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.

Compensation and Benefits:

Base salary range for this role is $120,000 – $225,000 + equity in the company
Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

Standard company text repeated across K2 Space's postings is omitted here.

Senior FPGA Prototyping Engineer

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