About SPHERICAL

SPHERICAL is transforming semiconductor chip design using agile techniques and model-based engineering approaches. We leverage advances in software to empower engineers while increasing productivity by 10x. Our mission is to design high-quality electronics for the space industry - initially power products, and soon advanced computation.

About the Role

This role blends digital hardware development with traditional PCB engineering, making it ideal for an engineer who understands high-reliability PCB systems but is equally fluent in FPGAs, HDL design (Verilog), digital interfaces, microcontrollers, firmware, and system bring-up.

You will own the complete design and verification flow of the hardware you produce, ensuring it meets demanding space-industry reliability and performance requirements. You will collaborate closely with semiconductor, software, and system architects to define specifications and deliver robust, production-ready designs.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Digital & Mixed-Signal Electronics Architecture

• Analyse system requirements and derive internal specifications for digital hardware subsystems

• Architect digital functions spanning FPGA logic, microcontroller interfacing, digital power control, timing, and high-speed communications

• Collaborate with microchip/IC designers on interface definitions and system partitioning

• Ensure radiation tolerance, reliability, and robustness in design decisions

2. FPGA Design, Implementation & Verification

• Implement FPGA logic in Verilog, including RTL development, simulation, and timing closure

• Develop FPGA architectures for control, monitoring, digital signal processing, and interface bridging

• Perform FPGA synthesis, P&R, constraints definition, timing analysis, and resource optimisation

• Conduct verification using simulation, CocoTB, self-checking tests, and CI-driven verification flows

• Integrate and verify FPGA logic with microcontrollers, RISC-V soft cores, embedded software, and PCB hardware

• Support hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) verification

• Participate in radiation testing and reliability assessments for FPGA-based systems

3. PCB Design, Verification & Manufacturing Ownership

• Design multi-layer digital PCBs incorporating FPGAs, microcontrollers, high-speed interfaces, digital power domains, and mixed-signal components

• Perform schematic capture, component selection, constraint definition, layout review, DFM checks, and signal-integrity analysis

• Lead board bring-up, debugging, and hardware validation

• Serve as the primary technical contact for PCB fabrication and assembly partners

• Drive the test, verification, and qualification of space-grade PCB systems

4. Embedded Integration (Microcontrollers & Firmware)

• Develop low-level embedded C/Rust firmware for microcontrollers interfacing to FPGA and digital hardware

• Implement and debug protocols (SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, SpaceWire, AXI4, etc.)

• Support driver development, boot-time configuration, and hardware control flows

• Conduct system bring-up and validate digital/firmware interactions

5. Verification, Testing & Qualification

• Create comprehensive test plans for electronics, FPGA logic, and embedded interfaces

• Perform digital verification, functional testing, environmental testing, and qualification for high-reliability aerospace conditions

• Support automated regression testing, CI pipelines, and coverage-driven verification methodologies

6. Collaboration, Leadership & Best Practices

• Set a high standard for principled, high-quality design within SPHERICAL

• Guide and mentor junior engineers across hardware, FPGA, and embedded engineering tracks

• Work cross-functionally with system architects, software engineers, and semiconductor specialists

• Contribute to internal methodologies for hardware reuse, digital design guidelines, and verification frameworks

Required Skills

• Strong experience in PCB schematic design, layout, manufacturing, and board bring-up

• Demonstrated competence in FPGA development (Verilog/VHDL, simulation, synthesis, timing closure)

• Experience with embedded systems including microcontrollers and embedded C development

• Strong understanding of digital electronics, digital timing, logic design, and communication interfaces (SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, AXI, etc.)

• Clear understanding of the full electronics lifecycle: requirements → design → manufacture → test → qualification

• Ability to work in fast-paced, highly iterative engineering environments

• Excellent communication and technical documentation skills

Preferred Skills

• Experience with space-industry standards (e.g., ECSS) and high-reliability design practices

• Knowledge of high-speed interfaces, signal integrity, grounding, and EMC considerations

• Experience with HDL simulation frameworks such as CocoTB, UVM testbenches, or SystemVerilog verification

• Experience integrating FPGAs with embedded processors (ARM, RISC-V)

• Experience with reliability analysis, radiation mitigation techniques, and fault-tolerant design

• Familiarity with mechanical and thermal considerations for PCB-level design

• Project management or technical leadership experience

• Experience with Python scripting for automation, data analysis, or verification flows

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in electrical or electronics engineering, or equivalent 4 years degree.

What We Offer

• A unique opportunity to transform how satellite electronics are conceived and built, bringing an Apple-style system-driven IC design philosophy into the space industry

• Work in a rapidly scaling startup supported by world-class investors including ESA and the European Innovation Council

• Collaborate with ambitious, highly skilled engineers across semiconductors, satellites, embedded software, and systems engineering

• A culture that empowers engineers to lead, innovate, and challenge industry norms

• Significant scope for ownership, impact, and personal growth

Practicalities

• Full-time role

• Based in the Randstad area, Netherlands

• Hybrid working, minimum one day per week onsite

• Reporting to Marcos Compadre, Head of Systems

We Believe In You

An empowered work environment where you are encouraged to take a leading role in the team's work reshaping industry paradigms.

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