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Sr. Staff Embedded Firmware/FPGA Systems Engineer

Onsite, Milpitas, Santa Clara County, CA

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Job ID
R-552246
Category
Engineering
Location
Milpitas, California

Build an engineering career where innovation, ownership and impact move healthcare forward

At BD, Engineering and R&D professionals design, develop and improve the technologies that shape how healthcare is delivered worldwide. You'll apply scientific thinking, technical expertise and creative problem-solving to turn complex challenges into solutions that matter.

Whether you specialize in mechanical, electrical, process, systems, software or research engineering, BD offers the scale, resources and freedom to innovate – with clear expectations, accountability for outcomes and opportunities to grow your career alongside industry-leading technology.

And as one of the world's largest medical technology companies, you'll shape solutions that reach across global healthcare systems and improve lives at scale.

As a result of the combination of the BD Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business with Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), by applying to this role, you will be applying for a position with Waters. Waters is a global leader in life sciences, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, Waters’ innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across biology, chemistry, and physics. Waters collaborates with analytical laboratories around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, assure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combatting growing antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, Waters’ passionate team of approximately 16,000 colleagues partner with customers to turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.

We are the people who give possibilities purpose

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

Job Description

We are seeking a technically strong engineer to drive embedded firmware and FPGA development on ARM-based instrumentation platforms. You will own end-to-end system architecture — defining the right partitioning between on-board FPGA logic, ARM SoC firmware, and off-board host/edge/cloud compute. You will design RTL for FPGA, develop Linux BSP components, and optimize data-path performance across memory, DMA, and high-speed I/O boundaries.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide technical direction and architectural guidance for embedded firmware and FPGA development across multiple product lines.

  • Own the development and architecture of embedded firmware and programmable logic for complex instrumentation systems

  • Define architecture, balancing on-board (ARM SoC/DSP/FPGA) and off-board compute

  • Develop Linux BSP Components, kernel configuration, boot loaders, HALs and device drivers

  • Build embedded services in C/C++ and develop python-based automation for testing, validation and workflows  

  • Collaborate with a distributed global team to deliver on goals 

Education and Qualifications:

  • BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field required; MS preferred

  • 10+ years of experience in embedded firmware and FPGA development, including technical leadership roles.

  • Proficiency in Verilog, VHDL, or SystemVerilog; experience authoring RTL for FPGA, developing simulation testbenches, and driving synthesis and timing closure using Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus. Familiarity with AXI4/AXI-Stream interconnects and DMA controller design.

  • Experience with Python, C/C++, version control systems, and modern development tools.

  • Experience with common hardware interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, PCIe Gen 3/4/5, JESD204B/C, DDR3/DDR4, or equivalent.  

  • Strong understanding of embedded Linux systems, including kernel configuration and demonstrated driver development skills

  • Strong understanding of test bench development; simulations (ModelSim, VCS) and developing verification plans

  • Ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively and influence technical direction while championing engineering excellence and best practices.

  • Demonstrated success collaborating across multidisciplinary teams, applying systems-level thinking to develop and deliver robust, integrated product solutions.

Preferred Attributes:

  • Technically competent with a broad understanding of system-level needs and cross-functional roles.

  • Experience in FPGA-based data acquisition systems in Flow Cytometry, Genomics, or similar high-throughput biomedical instrumentation

  • Experience with high-speed FPGA interfaces such as JESD204B/C (ADC/DAC connectivity), PCIe, DDR4/LPDDR, or USB 3.x in instrumentation or adjacent high-throughput domains

  • Experience improving legacy codebases and guiding teams toward sustainable engineering practices.

Work Environment:

  • Onsite Position: will require on-site and in lab work a minimum of 4 days/week

At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting.

For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company’s receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, testing for COVID-19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD’s Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law.

Why Join Us?

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive.

We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face-to-face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success.

To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.

Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Required Skills

Optional Skills

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Primary Work Location

USA CA - Milpitas 155

Additional Locations

Work Shift

At BD, we reward, support and develop our associates through our comprehensive Total Rewards program. We are committed to attracting and retaining high quality talent by providing reward and recognition opportunities that promote a performance-based culture, as well as a competitive package of compensation and benefits programs. You can learn more on our career site under "Our Commitment to You."

Our salary or hourly rate ranges reward associates fairly and competitively. We regularly review these ranges and factors, such as location, contribute to the range displayed.

Our pay is based on the role and the necessary skills and education to perform it successfully. The salary or hourly rate offered is determined by the role's specific requirements, including any applicable step rate pay system at the work location. Salary or hourly pay ranges are influenced by labor laws and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requirements applicable to the work location which may also affect the workplace arrangement of the role.

Salary Range Information

$168,600.00 - $269,800.00 USD Annual
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Success Profile

What sets successful Engineering and R&D professionals apart? You're likely to thrive if you are:

  • Analytical
  • Collaborative
  • Curious
  • Detail-oriented
  • Inventive
  • Problem-solver

Ready for your next challenge?

This is an environment for engineers who want to think boldly and execute with precision. You'll have the opportunity to influence design decisions, contribute across the full product lifecycle and see how your work moves from concept to real-world impact – backed by the scale of a global MedTech leader.

Hear from one of our BD Innovators about how BD uses cutting-edge AI and machine learning to power decisions that improve patient outcomes and expand access to care. This is where your work drives real-time impact across the globe.

Hear from Our Associates

  • "BD is a big, global company so don't be afraid to connect with and reach out to others. There is so much to learn here, and the company does an amazing job of helping people develop and grow. I'd also offer to become like a sponge and soak up as much knowledge as you can and put your Career Blueprint to work for you. I really love my job and am so grateful to work at BD."

  • "I think we have something like more than 30 different countries represented by those working within the Research Centre Ireland, which is impressive and one of my favourite things about BD. I work with electrical, mechanical engineers, scientists and so many others – it's wonderful to see and hear so many different perspectives during the day."

  • "I continue to be amazed at how we keep innovating in the Med Tech space. We constantly evaluate how to bring even more solutions to healthcare professionals, how to increase the efficiency of our technologies, all while keeping the patient impact in mind. Not only have I found meaningful work at BD, but a place where I feel I can thrive."

  • "During my interview, I learned how much of an impact our infusion solutions have across the world and I was impressed because whether it's analgesics, cancer treatments, anesthesia or other treatments, the likelihood of someone within your own family using our product is high. Contributing to the creation of products that have the ability to make such a big impact in healthcare is a great feeling. I love my role at BD."

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