Principal FPGA/Firmware Engineer
Company websitecaci.com (CACI, opens in new tab)
Base salary $105,100 to $231,100
Employer-published annual base salary, USD. Advertised base range in Colorado Springs, CO
You apply on the employer's own site. Six Figure Work does not handle applications.
- LocationColorado Springs, CO
- WorkplaceHybrid
- Status at last checkSource accepting applications when checked
- Last checked (1 h ago) · observed since
About this job
The Opportunity:
CACI's Advanced Communications (AC) division builds transformational software and hardware solutions that support critical programs around the globe and in space. Since 2008, AC has delivered more than 2,500 applications, services/microservices, and cloud-based solutions that support mission-critical communication networks. From manned space missions to technology demonstrations, AC has been entrusted as a vital infrastructure partner for commercial, civil, and Government customers alike.
We are seeking a Senior FPGA/Firmware Engineer who leads complex architectures, mentors engineers, and drives technical decisions across hardware, firmware, and system-level designs. This role has ownership of FPGA, firmware, and PCB design for CACI's hardware platforms. Our engineers design advanced software-defined and FPGA-enabled systems for high-performance RF and baseband operations.
Position located in Colorado Springs, CO with hybrid schedules possible.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of FPGA and firmware solutions across multiple product lines.
- Serve as technical lead for design reviews, system integration, and hardware/firmware decision-making.
- Mentor mid-level and junior engineers, promoting best practices and technical excellence.
- Architect high-performance FPGA systems including DSP pipelines, memory interfaces, and high-speed data paths.
- Participate in PCB schematic development, component selection, and cross-functional integration.
- Lead the design, verification, and validation (V&V) of FPGA and firmware systems, including developing rigorous test plans, simulation strategies, and hardware‑in‑the‑loop validation workflows.
- Engage with customers to translate mission needs into system and FPGA/firmware architectures.
- Drive continuous improvement of engineering processes and reusable design methodologies.
- Communicate clearly with stakeholders and leadership on project architectures and execution.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field with 10+ years of FPGA/firmware engineering experience.
- Must have US Citizenship.
- Expert experience with VHDL/Verilog for designing complex, high-performance FPGA architectures.
- Mastery of FPGA simulation methodologies including constrained-random and coverage-driven verification.
- Experience leading FPGA implementation, timing closure, and hardware validation.
- Practical RF lab skills, including the use of spectrum analyzers, VNAs, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and RF test fixtures.
- Experience leading PCB architecture, schematic design, and design review activities.
- Fluency with high-speed interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, SERDES, LVDS, JESD204).
- Proficiency with Python, TCL, MATLAB for FPGA automation and analysis.
- Ability to define and lead system-level hardware/firmware architectures.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
Desired:
- Senior-level embedded development experience in C/C++ for microcontrollers, SoCs, and soft-core processors.
- Strong DSP background with ability to architect and optimize processing pipelines.
- Track record of technical leadership: setting architecture, reviewing designs, mentoring engineers, and driving high-quality execution.
- Experience with Xilinx Ultrascale, RFSoC, and MPSoC platforms.
- Experience leading customer technical discussions and proposal efforts.
- Familiarity with telemetry, satellite communications, and space system architectures.
What You Can Expect:
A culture of integrity.
At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.
An environment of trust.
CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.
A focus on continuous growth.
Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.
Pay Range:
There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.
The proposed salary range for this position is:
$105,100-$231,100CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.
Source: CACI on Workday · View original posting (opens in new tab)
Pay in context
This role's base floor ($105,100) is above 3% of the 228 Software Engineering roles in Colorado listed on this site. Their median floor is $143,700; the middle half runs from $125,000 to $165,000.
Only jobs on this site count, and each one publishes a base salary of $100,000 or more, so this compares six-figure jobs with each other, not with the whole market. Computed Nov 7, 2026.
This listingPrincipal FPGA/Firmware Engineer$105,100 to $231,100
SAP Functional Consultant – Procure to Pay (PTP) / Materials Management (MM)$105,100 to $231,100
Exploitation Analyst (EA)$105,100 to $231,100
Cloud Infrastructure Systems Administrator- LINUX Admin$105,100 to $231,100
Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM Functional (SME)$105,100 to $231,100
Senior Principal Software Developer$105,100 to $231,100
Momentum Financials Technical Subject Matter Expert$105,100 to $231,100
Chart as a table
| Role | Published base |
|---|---|
| Principal FPGA/Firmware Engineer (this listing) | $105,100 - $231,100 |
| SAP Functional Consultant – Procure to Pay (PTP) / Materials Management (MM) | $105,100 - $231,100 |
| Exploitation Analyst (EA) | $105,100 - $231,100 |
| Cloud Infrastructure Systems Administrator- LINUX Admin | $105,100 - $231,100 |
| Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM Functional (SME) | $105,100 - $231,100 |
| Senior Principal Software Developer | $105,100 - $231,100 |
| Momentum Financials Technical Subject Matter Expert | $105,100 - $231,100 |
Observed changes
- First observed on the employer's board
- Began meeting the published-salary criteria
- Observed since
- Employer-stated posting date
- 2026-09-01
Where this pay comes from
Location as the employer wrote it: Colorado Springs, CO, US
$105,100-$231,100
- Method
- Employer text, read with fixed rules and re-verified
- Checked
- Rule set
- us-base-v2
The pay passage appears in the employer's own job text. Fixed, deterministic rules located it, and the passage below was checked against the stored copy of the posting.
What we verified
- The pay figures come from the employer's own listing, quoted exactly above.
- The pay is an annual base salary in US dollars with a minimum of at least $100,000.
- The role was publicly listed on the employer's job board when last checked.
We do not verify what the employer will actually offer, whether the employer is still recruiting for the role, or anything beyond what the employer published. Full methodology.
