Is FPGA the Best Engineering Career? With Adam Taylor

In this episode of the Altium OnTrack podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Adam Taylor, founder of Adubio Engineering and FPGA Horizons, to explore the evolving landscape of FPGA development and its potential as a career path. Taylor shares his journey from a chance encounter with FPGAs during his early career to becoming a leading voice in the field, emphasizing how advancements in tools, community support, and AI integration have democratized access and accelerated innovation. He argues that FPGAs are no longer just for prototyping but are now central to modern systems, combining processors, AI engines, and high-speed interfaces. The conversation highlights the growing importance of collaboration between FPGA and board designers, the challenges of over-the-wall engineering, and the critical need for better tool integration to bridge the gap between FPGA IP and PCB design workflows. Taylor also discusses the rise of AI in FPGA development, viewing it as a new level of abstraction that enhances rather than replaces engineers, while cautioning against complacency in the face of rapid technological change. The episode concludes with a deep dive into FPGA Horizons, a technical conference Taylor founded to foster community and knowledge-sharing. Now running in both the UK and the US—partnering with PCEA at PCB East—the event aims to bring together FPGA and board design professionals to tackle real-world challenges like 112 Gbps signaling and power integrity. Taylor stresses the importance of continuous learning, cross-disciplinary skills, and open dialogue in driving industry progress. The discussion leaves listeners with a compelling vision of FPGA engineering as a dynamic, creative, and future-proof career choice, especially for those willing to embrace both breadth and depth in their expertise.