Firmware Engineer

RBR Ltd.; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading oceanographic technology company in Ottawa is seeking a Firmware Engineer to join their R&D team. This role involves designing and developing embedded firmware applications for cutting-edge oceanographic instruments. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of firmware development experience and strong skills in C and C++. Join a collaborative environment focused on impactful research and innovation to combat climate change!

Benefits

20 days of vacation plus paid sick days

Benefits from day 1 & RRSP contribution matching

Bonus program

Annual fitness reimbursement program

Greener commuting incentive program

EV reimbursement program

Charitable donation matching

Monthly Friday lunches

Team events and social activities

Collaborative work environment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of firmware development experience.
• Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming.
• Experience with low-power microcontrollers, ideally STM32/ARM.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop embedded firmware applications.
• Implement best practices in software development.
• Take ownership of projects from concept to deployment.

Skills

C programming

C++ programming

Embedded real-time operating systems

Troubleshooting and debugging

Communication protocols (RS232, SPI, I2C)

Agile development process

Linux terminals

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

JTAG tools

IDE

Logic analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Location: Ottawa, Canada (on-site)

Reports to: Firmware & Systems Manager

Role status: Existing role

About RBR: Making waves since 1973

At RBR, we’ve been designing cutting‑edge instruments to measure our blue planet for over 50 years. Built to withstand some of the harshest environments on Earth, our instruments are deployed from the ocean’s deepest trenches to the polar ice caps, capturing essential data on water temperature, salinity, pH, and more. This data empowers researchers in the global fight against climate change, and our technology supports groundbreaking science with partners like Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Woods Hole, the Scripps Institution, and the British Antarctic Survey.

At RBR, we care deeply about our work, each other, the environment, and the global communities we serve. We value teamwork, continuous improvement, and having fun along the way. From Friday lunches to social events, we’re a crew that thrives on taking on complex and exciting challenges that have a meaningful impact on the blue planet! Ready to make waves with us? Apply below!

About the role

Join our talented R&D team as a Firmware Engineer and help shape the future of oceanographic research! At RBR, you'll collaborate with experts across firmware, systems, electronics, mechanical, software, and sensor engineering—all while contributing to cutting‑edge oceanographic instruments. We're looking for a versatile problem solver who takes ownership, delivers top‑notch firmware, and thrives in a fast‑paced, innovative environment. If you love learning, exploring new technologies, and creating tools that empower oceanographers worldwide, we want to hear from you!

What you'll do

• Design and develop embedded firmware applications, contributing to architecture and implementation
• Implement and uphold best practices in software development methodologies
• Implement and maintain software versioning and revision control
• Evaluate and balance trade-offs in system design to meet diverse requirements
• Take ownership of your projects from concept to deployment, ensuring they stay on schedule
• Translate design specifications into system designs and implementations, participating actively in design and code reviews
• Share your expertise to enhance software architecture and feature design
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to translate requirements into working designs
• Contribute to the conceptual development of innovative products and projects
• Stay up-to-date on industry developments in software engineering technologies, processes, and disciplines

What you bring

• A Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or an equivalent field
• Preferred 5+ years of firmware development experience, with strong proficiency in:
  • Programming skills in both C and C++
  • Working with low‑power microcontrollers (STM32/ARM preferred)
  • Embedded Real‑Time Operating Systems (Zephyr is a plus)
  • Troubleshooting and debugging using JTAG tools, IDE, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes
  • Communication protocols such as RS232, SPI, I2C, I3C, USB, and Bluetooth
  • Embedded systems test methodologies, continuous integration, and modern git workflow principles
  • Reading and annotating electronic schematics, including digital, mixed‑signal, and analog devices
• Experience with Linux terminals
• Experience working in an Agile development process; familiarity with Jira/Confluence tools would be an asset
• Strong organizational skills and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team
• Adaptability to work in an interrupt‑driven environment, managing multiple projects, and shifting priorities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Nice to have

• Some knowledge of Bash and Python scripting
• Familiarity with containerized development environments
• Experience with Hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing
• Interest in, and knowledge of new and developing embedded technologies (platforms, languages)
• Knows which end of a soldering iron is the hot one :)
• Can wield a screwdriver

Current perks at RBR

🌴 20 days of vacation, plus a company‑wide holiday shutdown and paid sick days

🩺 Benefits from day 1 & RRSP contribution matching

💰 Bonus program

🏋🏽 Annual fitness reimbursement program

🚴 Greener commuting incentive program (bike‑to‑work, carpool, or transit passes)

🚗 EV reimbursement program + on‑site charging stations

💝 Charitable donation matching

🌮 Monthly Friday lunches (on us)!

🎉 Team events and social activities

🤝 Collaborative, supportive work environment

🧠 Work alongside passionate experts spanning multiple disciplines

🌊 Direct impact on climate science and ocean research

At RBR, we celebrate and support diversity in our workplace. As an equal‑opportunity employer, we welcome people from all backgrounds and aim to find the most talented person for each role. Accommodations are available upon request at every stage of the selection process.

AI statement: At RBR, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools during parts of our hiring process. These tools may be used to support note‑taking, scheduling, and/or organizing candidate information. Final hiring decisions are made by our people.