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IRAM is a leading international institute for millimeter wave astronomy, supported by the MPG (Max-Planck Gesellschaft, Germany), CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France), and IGN (Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Spain). IRAM operates two major observatories, the NOEMA array located in the French Alps and the Pico Veleta 30-m antenna in southern Spain, and runs an ambitious instrumentation development program. More information on the institute can be found at IRAM.

IRAM is opening a FPGA engineer position within its Backend group. This group is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the electronic equipments in charge of transport, synchronization and digital processing of the broadband RF signals delivered by the antenna receivers installed at the NOEMA and Pico Veleta observatories. The group is composed of 5 experienced technicians and engineers and works in close collaboration with other groups in the institute, the receiver and computer groups notably.

The IRAM backend lab has an established expertise in wideband IF processing, high-speed A/D conversion, FPGA design, control electronics and PCB design. The lab intends to continue developing these fields and notably, to take advantage of the latest high-end FPGAs. These powerful devices can address the challenge of high-performance ultra-wide bandwith data processing, helping our systems to keep at the forefront of modern radioastronomy.
The sub-systems to be developed include data readout & system controller boards, ultra-broadband A/D cards (>24GSps) and broadband data transmission system (>150Gbps) for In-Antenna digitization and integration into the next generation correlator systems for the NOEMA observatory.

As a FPGA engineer, the successful candidate will:

• Specify or develop the digital HW for real-time processing.
• Design and develop FPGA Firmwares (knowledge of VHDL, Verilog, IP integration within Intel Altera Quartus II development environment preferably)
• Have experience on the implementation of Gigabit serial transceivers
• Test and debug circuits and systems through a proficient use of lab test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers and signal generators.
• Participate to the installation and commissioning of these systems at the observatories, as well as the subsequent performances monitoring and maintenance.
• Play an active role in proposing improvements for the existing systems and introducing novel technologies for new projects.
• Write design and test reports.

Candidates should hold an Electronic Engineering degree, be strongly motivated for the implementation of the latest FPGA devices and preferably have some experience in an industrial environment. Knowledge of EDA tools like e-CADSTAR would be an asset. Good knowledge of English is mandatory. The position is a permanent position. Salary will depend on qualifications and experience.

If you are interested in working for one of the most powerful millimeter radio observatories in Europe, please send a detailed CV and covering letter explaining your interest, to rh@iram.fr quoting reference VN 2019/01. Informal inquiries are welcome.