Sr. SDE - CPLD / FPGA

Amazon is hiring a Sr. SDE - CPLD / FPGA in Cupertino, United States. It pays $193k-$262k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Amazon.

Level's read on this job

Little AI ●○○○ is how Level rates this software engineer role: aI is not part of the work.
The listed pay starts 16% above the typical software engineer posting on Level.
Tools and skills the posting cites include fpga, cpld and embedded firmware.
Level classifies it as a senior role.
Level lists 20,000+ other open roles at Amazon.

AI in this role

Design and verify FPGA programmable logic components and embedded firmware for AWS cloud server hardware infrastructure.

fpgacpldembedded-firmwaredigital-hardwareserver-architecture

The AWS Hardware Engineering team develops server designs for Amazon's cloud services. Our designs prioritize frugality and operational excellence, supporting the AWS business and millions of customers who rely on AWS daily. Our engineers address complex technology challenges and build reliable, high-quality components that enable AWS to execute important business strategies.

The successful candidate for this role will be a motivated, proactive self-starter with strong curiosity. You will be a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) programmable logic expert with experience in digital hardware and embedded firmware, and committed to expanding your knowledge and skills. You will apply thorough understanding of server systems in your projects to identify optimal solutions for multi-factor problems. You will work with engineers across the company and external partners, leading development efforts through delivery and beyond. You will collaborate with internal and external development engineers across architecture, hardware, validation, and software services. AWS Engineers influence how people use computers and contribute to the future of cloud computing technology – join us in building what's next.

You'll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other essential roles. You'll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver high standards for safety and security while providing scalable capacity at competitive costs for our customers. You'll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them through completion.

Key job responsibilities
This individual contributor position is part of an AWS software development team responsible for FPGA programmable logic components that operate and support servers in data centers and other environments. The role requires a senior developer to own comprehensive FPGA development, including architecture, design, work estimates, implementation, verification, and validation of new features and capabilities. The senior developer will often define and lead the technical work of other team members to meet program milestones. The senior developer will also contribute to companion firmware that interfaces with programmable logic design and system-level operations that utilize FPGA functions.

The senior developer is involved with firmware deployment, operational monitoring, debugging, and support to enhance fleet health. The role includes mentoring and developing junior team members, contributing to the team's technical direction, and supporting team growth to improve efficiency and quality. The senior developer will engage in technical collaboration across teams, helping to develop solutions for complex system challenges.

About the team
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.

We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.

Basic qualifications

- 8+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 8+ years of programming with at least one software programming language experience
- 5+ years of leading design or architecture (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Experience with general troubleshooting/debugging of hardware
- Experience as a mentor, tech lead or leading an engineering team
- Experience contributing to the architecture and design (architecture, design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and current systems
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or equivalent
- 8+ years of programming with at least one hardware description language (VHDL, Verilog, SystemVerilog) experience

Preferred qualifications

- 8+ years of full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations experience
- Experience leading and influencing your team or organization
- Experience with work breakdown and estimating design task effort

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, CA, Cupertino - 193,300.00 - 261,500.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 168,100.00 - 227,400.00 USD annually

How we rate this

Sr. SDE - CPLD / FPGA at Amazon rates 0 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Sr. SDE - CPLD / FPGA is an open job at Amazon.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed salary is $193k-$262k a year.
The role is based in US, CA, Cupertino.
The job was posted on May 26, 2026.
Seniority: senior.
Applications are handled by Amazon. Apply on Amazon

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

FPGACpldEmbedded FirmwareDigital HardwareServer Architecture

Also common in software engineer jobs at this level

Python Java C++Kubernetes TypeScript React

Pay

This job starts at: $193k
Typical software engineer job: $167k

This posting starts 16% above the typical software engineer job. See software engineer jobs

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where fpga was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where cpld was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where embedded firmware was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where digital hardware was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where server architecture was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: FPGA, Cpld, Embedded Firmware, Digital Hardware, and Server Architecture. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.

Get your CV reviewed before you apply

Send your CV and the role you want next. Your review arrives by email within 3 days.

Get a free CV review Check your resume with the ATS resume checker