Fidus is a global high-tech design firm headquartered in Ottawa, with additional design centres in Kitchener-Waterloo and San Jose. We specialize in leading-edge electronic product development, with hardware, embedded software, FPGA/ASIC, and signal integrity teams working together to design and deliver next-generation products for clients in emerging technology markets.
Position Overview/Mandate:
The Senior Embedded Software Designer plays a key role in designing and delivering complex embedded software systems for Fidus clients. You will lead and contribute to embedded software development across communication, networking, and video applications—developing BSP-level software, implementing device drivers, integrating with FPGA SoCs and hardware, and setting technical direction for project teams.
This role is ideal for someone with deep embedded expertise who enjoys working with new technologies, takes pride in producing maintainable, high-quality code, and is ready to provide technical leadership and mentorship while working closely with customers.
Make an Impact with US:
At Fidus, you'll work on high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems, often using emerging technologies before they reach the broader market. You'll collaborate across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design as part of cross-functional teams delivering real products for our clients.
In practice, that means contributing to projects across Communications, Aerospace & Defence, Life Sciences and Medical Devices, Space and Satellite, Industrial Automation, Automotive, and Semiconductor engagements. You won't be limited to a single product or industry—your work will follow the technology, not just one roadmap.
Requirements
What You'll Be Doing:
- Lead and contribute to embedded software development projects, focusing on communication, networking, and video applications.
- Develop and maintain BSP-level software for embedded Linux, RTOS, and bare-metal systems.
- Implement device drivers, manage kernel configurations, and utilize build systems such as Yocto or PetaLinux.
- Design and debug software for FPGA SoCs, integrating with hardware and other system components.
- Collaborate on HW/SW/FPGA integration, interpreting schematics and datasheets to ensure robust system functionality.
- Utilize tools like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers for effective debugging and optimization.
- Define architecture and set technical direction for projects.
- Lead project teams, mentoring and guiding multiple designers to ensure high-quality outcomes.
- Work closely with customers to understand requirements and exceed expectations.
- Employ best design practices to produce maintainable and high-quality code.
- Stay current with emerging technologies and methodologies, bringing innovative solutions to the team and projects.
Who You are:
- Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
- Minimum 8 years' experience in BSP-level software development within embedded Linux, RTOS, or bare-metal environments.
- Minimum 2 years' experience as a technical lead, with proven leadership in project teams, technical architecture, and direction-setting.
- Expertise in embedded software design, including communication, networking, and video applications.
- Strong experience with embedded Linux, including Yocto or PetaLinux flows, build systems, packaging, kernel configurations, and device drivers.
- Practical experience with FPGA SoCs, especially Xilinx or equivalent.
- Proficiency in C, C++, and assembly programming, with an understanding of tools and best practices for embedded environments.
- Familiarity with device driver development for Linux and real-time OSes.
- Experience with software upgrade processes and bootloaders like u-boot.
- Skills in HW/SW/FPGA integration and debugging using schematics, datasheets, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers.
- Strength in object-oriented design principles and implementation.
- Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python, Bash, and TCL.
- Embraces AI as part of a modern engineering toolkit.
- Excellent communication skills, fluency in English, and ability to work effectively in a team and with clients.
- Strong technical leadership, emphasizing quality design practices.
- Willingness to learn new technologies and tackle complex challenges.
Location and travel: Position is based in Canada. Travel may be required domestically and internationally to support customer engagements and project delivery.
This position may require access to export-controlled information. Candidates will be required to complete background checks and security screening under Canada's Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and may also be required to obtain a security clearance under the Contract Security Program (CSP) administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC, formerly PWGSC).
Benefits
This role is an evergreen position.
Annual base salary ranges from $100,000 to $150,000. The final offer within this range takes into account the variations in knowledge, skills, experience, and market conditions, and with consideration to internal equity.
Our competitive compensation package also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, matching RRSP contributions, annual profit-sharing bonus, along with other supplementary benefits.
We also recognize that candidates show interest throughout different career stages and welcome all applications. When there is a great fit, the level of the role may be shifted as applicable.
Curious what it's actually like to work here? Take a look at our Working at Fidus page.
About Fidus & Why Work Here
Since 2001, Fidus has completed over 4,000 projects for more than 400 customers across industries including Telecom/Datacom, Aerospace & Defence, Consumer, Semiconductors, Industrial/Automotive Controls, and Medical. As a Premier Adaptive Computing Partner for AMD North America, we combine deep technical expertise with industry-leading tools to solve complex design challenges.
Fidus designs high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems using emerging technologies, often well before they reach the broader market. Our teams work across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design to deliver real products for our customers.
Our work spans space and satellite systems, next-generation communications and networking, high-performance compute and storage platforms, advanced video and imaging, and industrial, medical, and automotive systems. We are not tied to a single product or industry—our work follows the technology, not just one roadmap.
At Fidus, collaboration is at the core of how we work. We value openness, trust, and shared ownership, and we create an environment where people are encouraged to contribute ideas, learn from one another, and have a meaningful impact through the work they do.
If all of this excites you, has your attention, and you can’t wait to join our amazing team and work environment, then we want to hear from you!
Fidus has a commitment to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process. Automated tools (including AI) support our initial screening of applicants against our job posting to identify candidates whose qualifications, experience, and skills align most closely with the position requirements. All further candidate assessments and final selection are conducted by our human recruitment team. AI does not make any final hiring decisions.
Thank you for your interest in Fidus. We welcome and encourage diverse candidates to apply. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Fidus is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
