Freelance FPGA Engineer – VHDL / Space & Actuation

We are currently supporting an engineering client based in Leuven who are searching for an experienced Freelance FPGA Engineer to join their team on an exciting space-focused development project. The role will focus on VHDL development, FPGA design and hardware debugging, supporting the development of advanced actuation and gimbal systems for a high-reliability aerospace application. This is a hands-on position for an engineer who is comfortable working beyond VHDL development alone.

You’ll be involved throughout the development process, from FPGA design and analysis through to hardware deployment, debugging and system integration.

The Role: You’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, collaborating with electrical, electronics, control and systems engineers to integrate FPGA functionality into complex hardware systems.

Responsibilities include: developing and maintaining FPGA designs using VHDL; supporting FPGA architecture, design and implementation; analysing and optimising existing FPGA designs; deploying FPGA designs onto target hardware; performing hardware bring-up and hands-on debugging; troubleshooting issues across FPGA, electronics and hardware interfaces; working with wider engineering teams to integrate FPGA functionality into the overall system; supporting FPGA development for actuation, motor control and gimbal systems; analysing hardware behaviour and test results to identify and resolve system-level issues; contributing to FPGA verification and validation activities; supporting technical documentation and design reviews; providing technical input throughout key project development milestones.

Your Experience: We’re looking for an experienced FPGA Engineer who combines strong VHDL development skills with a practical, hardware-focused approach.

Ideally you have: strong professional experience as an FPGA Engineer or FPGA Developer; strong hands-on experience with VHDL; experience across the full FPGA development lifecycle, from design and analysis through to implementation, deployment and debugging; proven experience debugging FPGA designs directly on hardware; strong knowledge of digital electronics and FPGA architecture; experience interfacing FPGA designs with physical hardware and electronic subsystems; experience working with complex embedded or electronic systems; professional fluency in English.

Relevant Background: Experience in one or more of the following areas would be particularly valuable: satellite actuators; motor actuation or motor control; gimbal systems; space electronics; aerospace systems; precision electromechanical systems; servo or control systems; FPGA-based control systems; high-reliability embedded hardware.

Desired Experience: Experience working on space or aerospace programmes; familiarity with formal development processes, reviews and project milestones; FPGA verification and validation; FPGA simulation and test benches; hardware-in-the-loop testing; laboratory-based debugging of complex FPGA and electronic systems; motor control, actuator electronics or control systems; safety- or mission-critical engineering environments; formal technical documentation and design reviews.

Contract Details: Location Leuven, Belgium; Contract Freelance; Duration 6 months initially with potential for extension; Start date ASAP; Hours 40 hours per week; Working arrangement 2 days on-site per week; Language English.