Embedded Software Engineer – Co-op Winter 2027

Ciena Canada ULC; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

Ciena Corporation in Ottawa is seeking a student for a 4-month paid co-op starting January 2027 to design, implement, and maintain real-time embedded software across drivers, kernels, and system applications for flagship products.

You will work on Linux and VxWorks kernels, develop device drivers for ASICs and FPGAs, and build interfaces and SDKs to ease platform integration. Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program with C or C++ experience; telecom/embedded knowledge is a plus.

Qualifications

• Actively enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree in computer or electrical engineering, computer science, or similar.
• Experience with C or C++ programming.
• Knowledge of embedded software development is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain Linux and VxWorks kernels and base software components.
• Develop drivers for ASICs, FPGAs, and other hardware components.
• Build hardware/software interfaces across abstraction layers.
• Develop fault and alarm subsystems to detect, report, and manage defects.

Skills

C/C++

Education

Bachelor7s or Master7s in computer/electrical engineering or computer science

Tools

Git

Bitbucket

Gerrit

Jira

Job description

The Opportunity

Work term of 4 months starting in January 2027 The team designs, implements, and maintains real-time embedded platform and application software for several of Ciena's flagship products. The work spans embedded software components and system applications, from low-level drivers to high-level software state machines that interface with external applications.

How you will make an impact

• Design, implement, and maintain Linux and VxWorks kernels and base software components.
• Develop drivers for proprietary and 3rd party ASICs, FPGAs, and other hardware components.
• Build hardware/software interfaces that bridge various abstraction layers.
• Develop fault and alarm subsystems to detect, report, and maintain defects and manage their hysteresis and co-relations.
• Develop system applications such as traffic/equipment protection and performance monitoring.
• Develop SDKs that abstract the underlying low-level software and hardware to facilitate platform application development and integration.

The must haves

• Education: Actively enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree in computer or electrical engineering, computer science, or similar disciplines, Experience with C or C++

Nice to haves

• Developing software for embedded systems or telecom products
• Understanding of CPU hardware architectures, hardware functional specifications, hardware timing diagrams, device data sheets
• Understanding of real-time operating systems and embedded systems
• Software development tools such as git, BitBucket, Gerrit, Jira, etc.
• Unit test frameworks such as Google Test, JUnit, Robot, PyTest, and the like
• Debuggers and tools (e.g., gdb), especially for troubleshooting embedded systems in user space and kernel space
• High-level programming and scripting languages such as Java, Python, Perl, Tcl, bash
• YANG modeling language and toolchains
• software development methodologies such as Agile or Waterfall
• familiarity with datacom and telecom concepts such as DWDM, SONET/SDH, OTN, Ethernet, OSI Model, TCP/IP, MPLS

Pay Range

Pay Range: The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $34.00 per hour. Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Benefits

• In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers students access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation pay as required by applicable laws.

Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination. Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.