Company Overview
This Innovative company is a pioneering deep-tech startup developing the next generation of quantum sensing instruments. Based at the prestigious Niels Bohr Institute, they create quantum magnetic field microscopes that enable non-invasive, high-speed, and sub-micron resolution imaging for applications in semiconductor failure analysis, advanced materials science, and neuroscience. Having secured multi-year funding, it is now assembling a world-class team to transition its groundbreaking technology from a laboratory prototype into a market-ready industrial product.
Position Overview / Role Summary
Job Title: FPGA Engineer – Quantum Instrumentation & Real-Time Signal Processing
Job Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated FPGA Engineer to join our client’s core technology team in Copenhagen. This pivotal role is centered on designing, building, and maintaining the sophisticated digital heart of their quantum diamond microscope. The successful candidate will work at the critical intersection of quantum physics and high-performance computing, translating complex scientific requirements into a robust, real-time digital backend. This is a unique opportunity to take significant ownership of the signal processing stack, solve complex challenges with tangible hardware, and make a foundational impact within a rapidly growing deep-tech company.
Key Responsibilities
- FPGA Architecture & RTL Design:
- Lead the design and implementation of the complete FPGA-based data acquisition and signal-processing pipeline using SystemVerilog or VHDL.
- Develop and maintain RTL designs for advanced AMD/Xilinx UltraScale+ FPGAs, ensuring a clean, maintainable, and scalable architecture.
- Real-Time Algorithm Implementation:
- Implement and optimize complex algorithms for real-time digital signal processing (DSP) and data analysis directly on the hardware.
- Translate high-level algorithms, often prototyped in Python, into highly efficient and performant FPGA implementations.
- System Integration & Validation:
- Collaborate closely with physicists and analog electronics engineers to facilitate seamless system integration, testing, and laboratory bring-up.
- Utilize the Vivado design suite for synthesis, implementation, and simulation, performing rigorous static timing analysis to meet demanding performance targets.
- Firmware Development & Automation:
- Develop embedded firmware in C using the Vitis development environment for hardware/software co-design.
- Leverage scripting languages such as TCL and Python to automate critical workflows, testing procedures, and data analysis tasks.
Qualifications & Experience
- A BSc, MSc, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Embedded Systems, Physics, or a closely related technical discipline.
- Demonstrable, hands-on experience in FPGA development with a strong command of SystemVerilog or VHDL.
- Proven expertise with the Xilinx/AMD FPGA ecosystem (UltraScale+ preferred) and the Vivado design suite.
- A solid working knowledge of scripting with Python and/or TCL for automation and testing.
- Experience with high-speed data acquisition, DSP systems, or scientific instrumentation is highly advantageous.
- A hands-on, inquisitive mindset with a genuine passion for debugging real hardware and understanding physical signals from first principles.
- A structured and reliable approach to design, with a commitment to creating clean, well-documented, and maintainable systems.
- Excellent collaborative skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across disciplines and contribute positively to a team-oriented environment.
Compensation & Benefits
- A highly competitive salary package that reflects your skills and experience.
- The opportunity to obtain a significant equity stake in the company, allowing you to share directly in our client’s success.
- A role with high technical ownership and influence, shaping the core technology of a growing deep-tech startup.
- The chance to work on tangible, impactful hardware at the absolute frontier of quantum sensing technology.
- An inspiring, research-driven, and international work environment located at the world-renowned Niels Bohr Institute.
- Flexible work arrangements, with the possibility for a hybrid on-site/remote schedule by agreement.
- Clear opportunities for professional growth as the company scales, with pathways to deepen your technical expertise or move into leadership.
Why join this team?
- Bridge Quantum Physics and Digital Engineering: You will operate in a rare and exciting space, translating abstract quantum phenomena into concrete, high-performance digital hardware and seeing your code directly enable new scientific discoveries.
- Foundational Impact with High Autonomy: As a key member of a small, elite team, your work will be fundamental to the product’s success. You will have the autonomy to make critical design decisions and see their immediate impact.
- Build the Future of Measurement: This is not a role for incremental improvements. You will be building a novel instrument from the ground up that has the potential to revolutionize industries, from next-generation electronics to neuroscience.
- Application Process
Black Swans Exist is managing this exclusive recruitment process. To express your interest or to apply for this unique opportunity, please submit your CV and a brief motivation via the application link. For any inquiries, please contact our recruitment team, who will handle your application with the strictest confidence.
