Embedded Software Engineer - Airborne Stabilized Optical Systems

PVLabs; Burlington; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace technology firm in Burlington is looking for an Embedded Software Designer to architect and develop real-time systems for airborne optical platforms. You will engage in all facets of software development from design to deployment, collaborating closely with engineering teams. Strong skills in C++ and embedded systems are essential. This role offers a hybrid work environment, mentoring from experienced engineers, and the opportunity to work on advanced, impactful technologies.

Qualifications

• Eligibility to meet Controlled Goods Program requirements and hold a Canadian Security Clearance.
• Experience in real-time embedded systems and multi-threaded application development.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, implement, and verify complex real-time embedded software.
• Participate in design and code reviews.
• Work with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure requirements are understood.

Skills

C++

C

Embedded development

Debugging tools

Linux command-line

Embedded communication protocols

Bash scripting

Python scripting

Git

Education

Degree or technical diploma in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering

Job description

Embedded Software Designer

Airborne Optical Systems

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 lifecycle—architecture, design, implementation, verification, debug, deployment, and long‑term evolution—of 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, I²C, 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

What's in It for You

You’ll work on real, fielded technology: stabilized electro‑mechanical platforms, high‑speed motion control, 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 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—we do execution. If you want hands‑on impact, technical ownership, and work that genuinely matters, PVLabs is where you’ll find it.