FPGA Engineer & RTL Expert

Step into the future of innovation by joining imec’s Research Center in Heilbronn at the heart of the rapidly evolving Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI).

About imec Germany

Imec Heilbronn is a new regional hub pioneering open chiplet architectures that will power the next generation of automotive innovation and AI‑driven systems. Situated at the heart of the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI), imec Germany brings together world‑class semiconductor expertise and a vibrant ecosystem of AI innovation. This unique combination positions the site as a catalyst for technological breakthroughs that will shape the next generation of mobility and intelligent systems.

The Advanced Chip Design Accelerator (ACDA) is the core of our mission in Heilbronn—establishing a state‑of‑the‑art competence center dedicated to advanced chiplet design, system integration, and cutting‑edge methodologies. ACDA provides the expertise and tools needed to bridge the gap between early‑stage research and industrial adoption, enabling faster, safer, and more scalable deployment of chiplet‑based technologies in the automotive domain. Building on the foundation of imec’s Automotive Chiplet Program (ACP), ACDA extends this work into a regional accelerator that translates imec’s research leadership into practical, industry‑ready solutions. By combining advanced design capabilities with deep local collaboration, ACDA empowers both regional and global automotive players to derisk development, accelerate innovation cycles, and industrialize next‑generation chiplet platforms with confidence.

Be part of the team from the very beginning, joining us as FPGA Engineer & RTL Expert! 

What you will do   

As an FPGA Engineer & RTL Expert, you will be part of our growing multidisciplinary team, contributing to the development and validation of next‑generation chiplet‑based systems. You will primarily focus on RTL design and FPGA implementation, supporting architectural exploration and system‑level prototyping under the guidance of senior engineers and architects. In this role, you will:

• Develop and implement RTL modules for FPGA‑based prototypes of ARM and RISC‑V–based compute systems, following established architectural specifications.
• Support FPGA‑based prototyping of multi‑die and chiplet systems, contributing to early validation of future automotive control units and heterogeneous platforms.
• Implement, integrate, and debug RTL designs on high‑end FPGA platforms, such as Xilinx Virtex/UltraScale+ and Intel Stratix/Agilex, with a focus on functional correctness and timing closure.
• Contribute to system‑level FPGA prototypes with particular emphasis on die‑to‑die and chiplet interconnect blocks, helping validate communication concepts and data paths.
• Assist in the development of FPGA‑based prototypes for chiplet compliance testing, supporting interoperability and protocol verification activities.
• Integrate RTL components including processor subsystems, accelerators, memory controllers, and interconnect fabrics into cohesive FPGA designs.
• Develop and use basic debugging and observability infrastructure, such as RTL assertions, monitors, and performance counters, to analyze behavior of high‑speed chiplet interconnects and system interactions.
• Collaborate closely with senior engineers, architects, and validation teams, learning to translate architectural intent into robust RTL implementations and FPGA prototypes.

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its local footprint in Heilbronn, Germany. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible 

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits.

Who you are

Required skills 

• BSc or MSc in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, or related field
• Hands-on FPGA design and implementation experience
• Strong understanding of:

• RTL design using Verilog/SystemVerilog or VHDL 
• RTL simulation tools (Quartus)
• FPGA synthesis, implementation, and timing closure
• Xilinx Vivado and/or Intel Quartus toolchains
• High-speed chiplet interconnects (UCIe)

• Experience with large-scale, multi-FPGA system designs 
• Strong understanding of computer architecture and SoC design principles 
• Solid scripting skills (Python, Tcl, shell) for automation and build flows 
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and hands-on troubleshooting skills 
• Have broad interest across disciplines and like to embrace new challenges.
• Knowledge of automotive system design is a plus.
• Broad interest across disciplines and like to embrace new challenges.
• Excellent communication skills in English and German