Senior FPGA Design Engineer Why This Matters At Cognichip, we’re not just building AI - we’re redefining what’s possible at the nexus of silicon design and machine learning. As a Senior FPGA Design Engineer, you will be the hands-on builder, fusing chip design expertise with ML to create the foundational blocks of our autonomous design flow. You will work alongside a cross-functional team of world-class engineers and researchers to translate hardware logic into artificial chip intelligence.

Partner with ML and Software teams as a key hardware domain expert, translating complex silicon constraints into actionable insights for model training and agentic design. Develop high-quality RTL libraries, IP blocks and processor designs that serve as training data and composable parts of our setting. Execute and refine novel chip design methodologies, from architectural specs to synthesized netlists to complete bitstreams to identify where AI can optimize the flow.

Implement robust verification environments, writing the SystemVerilog/UVM testbenches and assertions with our tools that ensure our generated designs are correct-by-construction. Bachelor’s or Masters in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.



~Experience with hands-on debugging - simulators, waveform viewing, coverage collection. ~ Knowledge of industry-standard communication protocols (AXI, Ethernet, PCIe, DDR5, SPI, I2C, NoC, etc). ~ Proficiency in SystemVerilog and Python for design and automation. ~ Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially to convey chip design knowledge to software engineers and AI scientists. ~ Bonus points The following items are not required but are great bonuses: Personal projects showcasing innovation, creativity, and continuous learning.

Experience writing timing and other constraints (SDC, XDC, etc). Demonstrated coursework or project experience in machine learning and/or deep learning. We’re a fast-moving AI startup with a collaborative, high-trust culture.

You’ll work with top-tier engineers, scientists, and builders—solving hard problems that sit at the intersection of cloud computing, AI, and chip design. We value technical excellence, ownership, and the freedom to experiment. If you’re excited to build the future of engineering, you’ll feel right at home.

Logistics we have a hybrid schedule with four days in office, one day remote. #

📌 FPGA Engineer, Senior (Toronto)
🏢 Socket.dev
📍 Toronto