Embedded Software Designer

PV Labs; Burlington; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace technology company in Canada seeks an Embedded Software Designer to develop real-time software for airborne optical platforms. This role involves designing and verifying complex software, collaborating with engineers, and adhering to high standards. The ideal candidate has strong C++ skills and a background in embedded systems, along with eligibility for Canadian Security Clearance. Join a team driven by innovation and technical excellence, where your work impacts real fielded technology.

Qualifications

• Eligibility to meet Controlled Goods Program requirements and hold a Canadian Security Clearance.
• Degree or technical diploma in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, implement, and verify complex real-time embedded software.
• Participate in and lead design and code reviews.
• Work with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure requirements are traceable.
• Develop software aligned with military-class standards.

Skills

Strong C++ and C experience

Multi-process and multi-threaded application development

Embedded development on microcontroller and FPGA SoC platforms

Proficiency with debugging tools (e.g., GDB)

Comfort in Linux-based command-line development

Experience with embedded communication protocols

Scripting with Bash and Python

Fluent with Git

Education

Degree or technical diploma in Software Engineering

Equivalent experience

Job description

Job Description

Salary:
Embedded Software Designer

Burlington ON Hybrid

**Please note that to be considered for any position at PV Labs, all candidates must be eligible to meet the requirements of the Canadian Controlled-Goods Program of the Defense Production Act and be able to hold and maintain a Canadian Security Clearance. If you are not clear about your eligibility, please consult the Government of Canada website HERE**

About the Role

This is not a narrow, stay-in-your-lane software role.

As an Embedded Software Designer at PVLabs, you design and build real-time software systems that sit at the core of our airborne optical platforms. Your work spans the full lifecyclearchitecture, design, implementation, verification, debug, deployment, and long-term evolutionof software that directly controls flight‑proven, stabilized gimbals and ISR payloads.

We treat software as a product, not a by‑product. Our architecture is modular, component‑driven, and intentionally designed for change. You’ll work on distributed, multi‑processor real‑time systems where clarity, testability, and long‑term maintainability matter as much as raw performance. Monolithic codebases and just‑make‑it‑work thinking don’t survive here.

You’ll collaborate closely with systems, electrical, mechanical, and optical engineers—not as support, but as a peer bringing software judgment to the table as we solve hard problems in stabilization, sensing, and control within demanding operational environments.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Reporting to the VP, New Product Introduction, and working closely with Program and Project leads, you will:

• Architect, design, implement, and verify complex real‑time embedded software in C++ (with some legacy C) across multi‑processor systems
• Actively participate in and often lead design and code reviews with a critical, constructive mindset
• Work with cross‑disciplinary teams to ensure requirements are understood, documented, and traceable
• Develop software aligned with military‑class development and verification standards
• Maintain source control, build artifacts, and package integrity to meet both internal and customer expectations
• Contribute to and improve our engineering standards, knowledge bases, and development workflows

Technical Skills You’ll Need

• Strong C++ and C experience in real‑time embedded systems
• Multi‑process and multi‑threaded application development
• Embedded development on microcontroller and FPGA SoC platforms
• Proficiency with debugging tools (e.g., GDB)
• Comfort in Linux‑based, command‑line development environments
• Experience with common embedded communication protocols (UART, IC, SPI, CAN, Ethernet)
• Scripting with Bash and Python; fluent with Git
• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics

High‑Value (Nice‑to‑Have) Skills

• Board Support Package (BSP) porting to new hardware
• Linux driver development
• Designing for aircraft safety and certification constraints
• GPU architecture and CUDA programming
• MATLAB experience

About You as an Embedded Software Engineer

At PVLabs, how we work matters as much as what we build.

We’re looking for engineers who combine deep technical skill with professional maturity and strong judgment. You’re curious, detail‑driven, and motivated by solving hard problems properly—not just quickly.

About You:

• Bring creativity, curiosity, and a disciplined approach to problem‑solving
• Step into ownership naturally and aren’t afraid to lead when needed
• Communicate technical ideas clearly and know when to ask for help
• Take a continuous‑improvement mindset to code, process, and tooling
• Participate in requirements development and provide realistic cost and schedule estimates
• Drive design and code reviews rather than observing from the sidelines
• Give and receive feedback constructively we succeed as a team
• Prefer small, highly communicative teams over rigid silos
• Manage your time and priorities with professionalism and autonomy

Qualifications

• Eligibility to meet Controlled Goods Program requirements and hold a Canadian Security Clearance
• Degree or technical diploma in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience

Whats in It for You

You’ll work on real, fielded technology: stabilized opto‑mechanical platforms, high‑speed data systems, control systems, camera and lens systems, real‑time video pipelines, distributed I/O, and advanced laser‑enabled payloads.

These systems operate in demanding ISR environments where precision and reliability matter.

You’ll join a team of brilliant engineers with serious technical depth and the autonomy to do meaningful work. We value Mastery, Autonomy, and Purpose, and we strive for Resiliency, Innovation, and Productivity in everything we build. We move fast. We build complicated, expensive things that fly.

We don’t do ego‑do execution. If you want hands‑on impact, technical ownership, and work that genuinely matters, PVLabs is where you’ll find it.