Principal Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer

Principal Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer

We are seeking a Principal Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer to own end-to-end embedded architecture and solutions for advanced optical devices. This is a one-year contract based in Ottawa, Ontario.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end embedded architecture and solutions from requirements and trade studies through hardware selection, software layering, interfaces, and release readiness.
• Define system architecture and implement hands-on solutions across MCUs, RTOS or bare-metal stacks, drivers, middleware, power management, boot/OTA, and security.
• Partner with hardware, architecture, and manufacturing teams to align schematics and data sheets, analyze scope traces and logic-analyzer results, and validate architecture assumptions on real hardware.
• Establish architecture standards and patterns, including coding guidelines, HAL/BSP structure, reusable platform layers, documentation, and design reviews.
• Lead technical decisions involving cost, performance, power, and time-to-market trade-offs; document rationale and present options to engineering leadership and stakeholders.
• Drive quality and reliability through debug strategy, diagnostics, failure analysis, environmental and stress considerations, and applicable industry standards.
• Mentor development and test engineers, guide design reviews, unblock critical issues, and raise team capability.

Skills & Experience

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with embedded software development experience.
• Minimum 15+ years of experience in embedded systems design and development.
• Deep understanding of RTOS, multithreaded software systems, operating-system concepts, and bare-metal development.
• Strong system-architecture ownership and architectural leadership experience.
• Experience with secure boot, cryptography, threat modeling, boot/OTA, and embedded security.
• Knowledge and experience with OTN standards and optical devices is preferred.
• Strong object-oriented design and design-pattern expertise.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple global sites and time zones.