FPGA Job Outlook: Skills, Companies, and Salaries

FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) technology has been a mainstay in the electronics industry since 1985, marked by the introduction of the first commercial FPGA chip from Xilinx. Since then, the demand for skilled FPGA engineers has steadily increased, driven by its versatile applications in semiconductor design. FPGAs are used for a wide range of tasks, from implementing simple logic functions to creating complex subsystems or even entire systems. They’re particularly valuable for implementing computationally intensive algorithms and time-critical modules where power efficiency is paramount.

A key challenge for FPGA engineers lies in the efficient utilization of on-chip resources while meeting strict latency requirements. This necessitates expertise in sophisticated synthesis, place-and-route, and simulation tools. FPGA engineering falls under the broader umbrella of VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) design. FPGAs are often used to validate designs before committing to ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) fabrication, providing a platform to test concepts and ensure they function as intended.

FPGAs have found widespread adoption across various industries including IT (both software and hardware), aerospace, manufacturing, engineering, semiconductors, networking, healthcare, the military, telecommunications, and consumer electronics.

Desired Skills for FPGA Jobs

Several key skills are essential for securing FPGA-related positions. While numerous FPGA manufacturers exist (Xilinx, Lattice, Altera, Cypress, Actel, etc.), in-depth knowledge of any one FPGA chip architecture is generally sufficient. A strong foundation in HDL (Hardware Description Language), specifically VHDL and Verilog, is a fundamental requirement.

FPGA engineers also need a firm grasp of basic digital logic concepts. Furthermore, familiarity with programming languages like C or MATLAB can be a significant advantage. Often, engineers are tasked with converting fixed-point C or MATLAB code into VHDL or Verilog for implementation on the target FPGA.

Proficiency with simulation, synthesis, and place-and-route tools used in FPGA/ASIC design is highly valued.

Summary of Desired Skills:

• HDL Coding: VHDL, Verilog, C
• Basic Concepts: Digital design concepts, logic gates, etc.
• Domain Knowledge: DSP, communication systems (varies based on industry)
• Tools: Simulation tools (e.g., Xilinx ModelSim), Synthesis/Place & Route tools (e.g., Xilinx XST/ISE)

Many companies are actively recruiting FPGA engineers for both FPGA board development and FPGA programming roles.

Companies Hiring for FPGA Jobs

Here are just a few of the companies that frequently hire for FPGA-related positions:

• NVIDIA
• Procsys
• Wipro
• eInfoChips
• Microsemi
• Dexcel Electronics Designs
• Parker Hannifin
• Synopsys
• Xilinx

Expected Salary Ranges

The following table presents approximate salary ranges for FPGA-related positions based on experience level. Please note that these figures can fluctuate depending on market demand, economic conditions, and geographic location.