Job Location: Golden (On-Site/Hybrid Desired, Fully Remote Possible)
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: $120,000 - $170,000 based upon education, work experience, and skill
Please send your resume with a cover letter to [email protected] without a cover letter will not be considered.
About Us
Vescent Technologies is a recognized leader in quantum technologies. This includes both: i) foundational technologies such as laser frequency control systems, optical frequency combs, electro-optical modules, and feedback control electronics, and ii) complete solutions such as next generation atomic clocks and time distribution, control systems for quantum computers, and deployed quantum sensors. The work environment is fun, fast-paced, challenging, and interdisciplinary. The Vescent team takes pride in its work, is energetic and agile, and enjoys celebrating team successes.
Position Summary
Vescent Technologies seeks an FPGA / DSP Engineer to lead the transition of high-performance precision laser and frequency control architectures from traditional analog and hybrid implementations into scalable, FPGA-centric digital platforms. This role sits at the intersection of digital signal processing, embedded hardware design, control theory, and atomic/molecular/optical (AMO) physics. The ideal candidate is excited by technically difficult problems involving ultra-low-noise control systems, high-speed signal processing, precision timing, and the physics of lasers, resonators, atoms, and photonic systems. They will work closely with physicists, electrical engineers, and systems engineers to develop industrial-grade digital control solutions for quantum technologies.
Responsibilities
- Architect and implement FPGA-based digital control systems for precision laser frequency stabilization, optical phase locking, and timing synchronization systems.
- Develop real-time DSP pipelines for applications including:
Digital PLLs and frequency synthesis
IQ demodulation and modulation
Lock-in detection
Digital filtering and servo control
Phase/frequency measurement and tracking
Timing distribution and synchronization
Noise characterization and suppression
- Translate laboratory-grade analog or mixed-signal frequency control techniques into robust FPGA-based digital architectures suitable for deployment and manufacturing.
- Design low-latency feedback systems for optical cavities, frequency combs, electro-optic devices, acousto-optic devices, and atomic spectroscopy systems.
- Collaborate with AMO physicists to understand system-level noise sources, instability mechanisms, and precision measurement limitations.
- Analyze phase noise, timing jitter, quantization effects, ADC/DAC limitations, and numerical precision constraints in high-performance digital control systems.
- Interface FPGA systems with high-speed ADCs, DACs, RF transceivers, timing hardware, and embedded processors.
- Participate in hardware bring-up, system integration, debugging, and experimental validation in laboratory and deployed environments.
- Develop simulation and verification environments for DSP algorithms and feedback control systems.
- Contribute to architecture decisions for scalable quantum control and timing platforms.
- Document designs, verification procedures, and performance characterization results for internal and customer-facing systems.
Required Qualifications
· BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Computer Engineering, or related field.
· Strong experience with FPGA development using Verilog, VHDL, or System Verilog.
· Experience implementing digital signal processing algorithms in FPGA or embedded hardware environments.
· Understanding of control systems, feedback loops, and frequency-domain analysis.
· Experience with high-speed mixed-signal systems involving ADCs, DACs, clocks, and RF interfaces.
· Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, VNAs, RF signal generators, or optical measurement systems.
· Strong analytical and debugging skills in complex multidisciplinary environments.
· Ability to work effectively across physics, hardware, firmware, and systems engineering teams.
Desirable Additional Skills
· Experience with precision timing, frequency metrology, or ultra-low-noise electronic systems.
· Familiarity with optical frequency combs, laser stabilization, or atomic spectroscopy.
· Experience implementing:
o Digital PLLs
o DDS/NCO architectures
o CIC/FIR/IIR filters
o Real-time servo systems
· Knowledge of AMO physics concepts include atomic transitions, optical cavities, linewidth narrowing, and coherent optical systems.
· Experience with Xilinx, AMD, Intel/Altera, or SoC FPGA platforms.
· Experience with embedded Linux, Python-based test automation, or simulation tools.
· Familiarity with low-phase-noise clocking architectures and synchronization systems.
· Experience transitioning research prototypes into manufacturable or field-deployable systems.
Benefits
· Flexible schedule options to support work-life balance
· 4 Weeks of PTO annually
· 7 Company paid holidays, 1 Floating Holiday
· 401(K) Plan with employer contribution
· Health & Dental Insurance with plan options including employer-paid premium coverage
· Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer matching available with eligible plans
· Incentive Stock Option
· Long-Term Disability Insurance
How To Apply
Please send your resume with a cover letter to [email protected]. Your cover letter should express how your skills, qualifications, and interests address the job description, and why you want to work at Vescent. Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered.
Compliance Notice
This position is subject to a background check in accordance with applicable laws, and employment is contingent upon the successful completion of that process as well as the ability to meet eligibility criteria for access to secured or regulated work environments. Vescent Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available at this time. Employment with Vescent Technologies is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice, as permitted by applicable law.
If you require an accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact [email protected]
Internal candidates are encouraged to apply in accordance with applicable job posting policies.
Pay: $120,000.00 - $170,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) 2% match
- 401(k) 3% Match
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Stock options
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Will you require Visa Sponsorship?
- Do you have a BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Computer Engineering, or related field?
- Do you have experience with high-speed mixed-signal systems involving ADCs, DACs, clocks, and RF interfaces?
- Do you have experience with FPGA development using Verilog, VHDL, or System Verilog?
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Golden, CO 80401
