Engineer careers come in many forms, but one of the most exciting careers for engineers is becoming an FPGA design engineer. Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) design engineers are tasked with designing circuits and products that are safe, reliable, and customizable.
FPGA design engineers can create systems across multiple industries. This in-demand career is constantly growing and offers many opportunities around the world. However, the most successful engineers hone their skills regularly to make their technical skills as well as their business and application skills more well-rounded.
Here are 10 useful skills FPGA design engineers need:
FPGA design tools
FPGA design engineers need a deep understanding of how to create systems and use industry software and tools. On the software side, design engineers must know how to model their designs and ensure correct operation through a series of tests. There are many such advanced modeling programs in the industry, including Matlab, Simulink, Octave, Verdi, and many more.
These programs are used to create digital prototypes of systems, solve problems, and simulate testing and applications before circuits are built. FPGA design engineers must not only know how to use various software, but also know when to use it and understand the methodology behind it.
FPGA design engineers must become extremely proficient in using these tools to successfully prototype circuits, then test them, find faults, and make improvements. This means that not only do they have to know how to use these tools in tight spaces and small systems, but they also have to know the right tools to use in each situation.
Engineering process
FPGA design engineers must have a solid foundation of engineering skills and knowledge, including how engineering projects move from the initial "brainstorming" and planning stages to final completion and use by customers.
Design engineers often work with many other types of engineers and must have a deep understanding of each person's area of expertise to understand how the team works together and shares responsibility for the project. The best FPGA design engineers don't get too focused on their own part of the process, but know how their role fits into the bigger picture.
communicate
Successful FPGA design engineers must possess strong written and verbal communication skills. Throughout the design and testing process, engineers will be regularly asked to provide updates to other team members.
These reports can be detailed written documents or verbal updates and presentations. If the system is very complex, this means engineers need to be able to clearly communicate what they are doing, what progress they have made, and any problems that arise.
If others don't know what the engineer is talking about and ask questions or make incorrect assumptions, it can significantly slow down the project process and potentially lead to project development errors.
FPGA design engineers must be able to communicate clearly with their teams and colleagues using industry jargon, but they must also be able to clearly demonstrate the benefits of their systems to business leaders and customers using more understandable terminology.
creative thinking
FPGA design is both an art and a science. Design engineers often have to think outside the box to find creative solutions. It's not enough to simply repeat what you learned in school. Successful FPGA design engineers use their education and experience to create a knowledge base and then use creative thinking to apply their knowledge in new ways.
And don’t be bound by what you’ve done before. Instead, be curious and willing to try new things. FPGA design engineers need to be innovative and willing to take risks. Their creativity is reflected in designing new types of systems and finding new ways to meet customer needs.
The field is constantly evolving and design engineers need to be at the forefront of technology, design and applications.
Microarchitectural design
FPGA systems are essentially small computers that can perform a variety of tasks and be used in a variety of situations. Understanding microarchitecture is crucial to putting everything in the right place.
Designing an FPGA circuit is similar to designing a house or a city, but on a much smaller scale. Engineers need to be able to fit all components in a small space in the correct order to create a functional, durable and appropriately sized system.
FPGA design engineers must have a deep understanding of the entire system and how its various parts work together. If one part of the system is not working properly or out of control, it can affect the entire circuit.
math
Mathematics and engineering go hand in hand, especially for FPGA design engineers. Many projects require complex mathematical equations that design engineers need to be able to solve quickly.
FPGA design engineers use a variety of mathematical methods, from tracking measurements and making calculations to build hardware systems to using algorithms and statistical analysis to track expense and risk factors.
A strong understanding of advanced mathematics is critical to success in this field.
Scripting
Many FPGA design engineer positions require strong programming skills in scripting languages such as Python, Perl, TCL, and Unix Shell.
These scripts are the language of the FPGA design. Popular FPGA design engineers have practical experience automating most FPGA processes using these languages.
Understanding scripts can help design engineers work more efficiently, helping them identify problems in their circuits and make improvements faster.
coding
FPGA design engineers need a deep understanding of how to code in these languages and more. In most organizations, design engineers work on multiple computer systems and need to know how to code in multiple languages.
A basic understanding of coding not only helps engineers create and program their systems, but also allows them to better understand the roles and job responsibilities of other engineers.
FPGA design engineers often work closely with software teams and need to understand coding so they can communicate and collaborate clearly.
Attention to detail
FPGA design engineers work on complex systems with many details and small parts. Skipping a small aspect of the system or measuring imprecisely can derail the success of the entire project.
Engineers are also responsible for testing their systems and putting them through a series of complex scenarios. If engineers do not pay great attention to detail when conducting experiments and recording observations, the entire project may fail.
A small detail that is missed can become a bigger problem over time; an issue that seems small to someone can become a much larger problem as the system is designed. FPGA design engineers must be able to spot errors and correct details from the start.
Solve the problem
In some ways, creating an FPGA system is like putting together a giant puzzle or solving a giant equation. Every system is different and presents different challenges. When FPGA design engineers test them, they often discover areas that need improvement to make the system feasible and successful.
Engineers must be able to break down systems to identify problems and create new ways to solve them. They need technical skills to understand every part of the system and pinpoint areas that can be improved.
Problem-solving skills involve both technical skills and mindset. FPGA design engineers must have a mindset that sees challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. Design engineers cannot give up when they receive negative results.
They must be able to overcome failure and find new paths to success. Problem solving can be done alone or with a team, but it's a regular part of a design engineer's job.
FPGA design engineering is a growing field that blends science, engineering, and design. Successful engineers are constantly learning and improving their skills, especially as technology and industries change.
This in-demand career can be incredibly rewarding and offers plenty of opportunities for growth. To become a successful FPGA design engineer, work on developing these 10 key skills.