Senior FPGA Engineer, Networking & Security

About the role

Muon Space is seeking a Senior FPGA Engineer specialized in onboard networking, cryptography and security to design the network fabric and security architecture of our next-generation spacecraft, to join our High Performance Compute (HPC) team. You'll define how data moves across the spacecraft, from sensor front-ends through payload compute to downlink, and how it stays secure, both in flight and end-to-end to the ground.

This is a hands-on FPGA engineering role with strong architectural influence: you'll define the concepts, write the RTL, and work shoulder-to-shoulder with our Staff Architect, EE team, and payload engineers to bring your solutions to life.

This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Define the onboard networking architecture for Muon spacecraft, including switching, routing, packet filtering, firewalling, deep packet inspection, and VPN concepts.
• Define and implement end-to-end encryption, packet-based encryption at router level, file-based encryption for onboard and downlink data.
• Drive the definition of an onboard Ethernet switching and routing device and evaluate implementation options (COTS, semi-custom, fully custom FPGA-based).
• Design and build a spacecraft NoC (Network-on-Chip) and robust FPGA-to-FPGA links, with continuous link health monitoring and reporting.
• Own the Ethernet PHY and MAC integration on FPGAs, link aggregation, and signal-integrity trade-offs, in close partnership with the HPC architecture and Electrical Engineering team.
• Apply FEC schemes (e.g., Reed-Solomon) to onboard and inter-FPGA links; translate networking and coding requirements into implementable RTL.
• Integrate the network fabric with customer payloads, ensuring interoperability and low-level link validation.
• Publish white papers on Muon's networking and security solutions and represent this work internally and (where appropriate) externally.
• Work hand-in-hand with the Staff Onboard Compute Architect on the team to harmonize networking and security into the broader compute architecture.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, plus 5+ years of professional FPGA engineering experience, with a specialization in networking, cryptography, security, or high-speed I/O.
• Deep, hands-on experience with Ethernet, link aggregation, and signal-integrity considerations, specifically at higher direct attached copper (DAC) lane rates.
• Strong practical experience applying cryptographic algorithms in hardware or firmware: AES, AES-GCM, ECC, IPSec/VPN handshakes, and familiarity with post-quantum cryptography (PQC).
• Working knowledge of FEC schemes, particularly Reed-Solomon, and the ability to translate BER and link-budget requirements into concrete FEC implementations.
• Proven experience defining network packet flows, switching/routing/filtering, deep packet inspection, firewalling, and VPN termination in embedded or FPGA-based systems.
• Strong HDL/RTL skills (SystemVerilog, Verilog, or VHDL) and familiarity with modern FPGA verification methodologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to author white papers and architectural documents.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Active clearance is a plus.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience with a variety of spacecraft networks including Ethernet and SpaceWire.
• Experience implementing or integrating NoC (network on chip) fabrics on FPGA.
• Familiarity with space-grade or rad-tolerant FPGA platforms.
• Prior work on spacecraft avionics, payload data handling, or secure space-to-ground links.
• Contributions to standards bodies, open-source cryptographic implementations, or published research.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $213,000 - $237,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.

Muon is currently registered and able to hire in the following states

AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, ID, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position requires access to export controlled information.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency.

The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.