FPGA Engineer (New Grad Summer 2027)

FPGA ENGINEER (NEW GRAD SUMMER 2027)
Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits.
As a Software Engineer at Freeform, you will play a key role in developing and deploying the software systems that power our autonomous metal 3D printing factories. You’ll work with a talented engineering team from some of the world’s most innovative companies across a range of projects including controls, high-speed data acquisition, high-performance computing (GPU’s and FPGA’s), and geometry processing pipelines that enable precise and fully automated manufacturing at scale. Your work will directly impact the performance, reliability, and scalability of our factory systems. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, takes initiative on complex technical problems, and works collaboratively across disciplines to deliver robust, high-performance software solutions. This is an opportunity to build foundational systems for a new category of manufacturing technology - where your code doesn’t just run, it drives physical innovation.
3D printing experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving hard problems and creating amazing technology!
Responsibilities:
Developing new logic components for use on FPGAs
Implementing custom algorithms on FPGAs for signal processing
Implementing custom controllers on FPGAs
Working with other software engineers to develop embedded Linux applications to interface with FPGA logic components
Packaging and using IP components in FPGA block diagram design
Working both on development boards and in a production environment
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science
Hands on electrical experience from internships or engineering clubs such as FSAE, Baja SAE, solar car, rocket club, robotics club, or similar
Experience developing in VHDL or Verilog
Nice to Have:
Experience with Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+ MPSoC
Familiarity with Xilinx Vivado/Vitis toolchain development environment
Experience with embedded software development including embedded Linux and System on Chip (SoC)-based architectures
Experience with heterogeneous computing platforms and high-speed data acquisition systems
Familiarity with C/C++ or other high-level programming languages
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Creative thinker able to apply first-principles reasoning to solve complex problems
Location:
Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA’s deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country.
Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.
What We Offer:
We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions.
We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling world-changing technology.
Benefits
Significant stock option packages
100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options)
Life insurance
Traditional and Roth 401(k)