FPGA Designer

Fidus Systems; Ottawa, Kitchener; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision plans

GRSP matching

Profit-sharing bonus

Supplementary benefits

Job summary

Fidus Systems is seeking an experienced FPGA Designer in Ottawa to design and deliver complex FPGA-based systems for clients. You will define architectures, implement RTL, integrate IP, run simulations, close timing, and support lab bring-up and debugging.

This role spans multiple domains (video, storage, communications) and requires collaboration across FPGA/DSP, hardware and software teams. Annual base salary ranges from CAD 125,000 to CAD 160,000 with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 5+ years RTL/Verilog/VHDL FPGA design experience.
• Video systems, high-speed memory and DSP interfaces knowledge.
• Experience with Xilinx/Altera devices and toolflows.
• Proficient in Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL, ModelSim, Vivado/Quartus.
• Excellent English communication and customer interaction.

Responsibilities

• Develop complex FPGA/CPLD systems including architecture and RTL/IP.
• Run simulations, timing analysis and lab bring-up.
• Prepare test plans, design descriptions and user docs.
• Provide technical input to customers during pre-sales and projects.
• Collaborate across hardware/embedded software teams.

Skills

RTL/Verilog/VHDL

Video systems

Xilinx/Intel FPGA tools

Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL

RTL design and verification

English communication

AI as toolkit

Education

B.A.Sc./B.Eng. or equivalent

Tools

Xilinx Vivado

Altera Quartus

ModelSim

Job description

Fidus is a global high-tech design firm headquartered in Ottawa, with additional design centres in Kitchener-Waterloo and San Jose. We specialize in leading-edge electronic product development, with hardware, embedded software, FPGA/ASIC, and signal integrity teams working together to design and deliver next-generation products for clients in emerging technology markets.

Position Overview/Mandate:

The FPGA Designer plays a key role in designing and delivering complex FPGA-based systems for Fidus clients. You will work directly with customers and internal Fidus teams to define architectures, implement RTL, integrate IP, run simulations, close timing, and support lab bring-up and debug.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with new FPGA families and tools, is comfortable moving between different application domains (video, communications, storage, signal processing), and takes pride in producing high-quality, well-documented designs.

Make an Impact with US:

At Fidus, you'll work on high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems, often using emerging technologies before they reach the broader market. You'll collaborate across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design as part of cross-functional teams delivering real products for our clients.

In practice, that means contributing to projects across Communications, Aerospace & Defence, Life Sciences & Medical Devices, Space & Satellite, Industrial Automation, Automotive, and Semiconductor engagements. You won't be limited to a single product or industry—your work will follow the technology, not just one roadmap.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Work with our clients and other Fidus Employees to develop complex FPGA and/or CPLD based systems, including architecture, custom development, integrated IP, simulations, and timing analysis and closure.
• Design FPGA based systems using Xilinx and Intel based devices and tools
• Participate in design reviews (hardware-software interface, input-outputs etc.) to ensure Fidus quality standards and customer requirements are being adhered to
• Perform lab testing, debug of prototypes and supporting hardware/software engineer, as needed
• Perform customer prototype demonstrations and author test plans, design description and user documentation
• Provide technical insight to customers during the pre-sales and implementation phase of projects
• Provide technical support to the Business Manager and Sales team by providing detailed estimates on project scope, schedule, and deliverables and to present the technical aspects of Fidus proposals to the client

Who You are:

• Minimum 5 years of experience designing using RTL/Verilog/VHDL on FPGAs.
• Experience with video systems and specification standards, video algorithms, and high-speed memory and bus interfaces, communications protocols, and DSP or processor instantiations.
• Created designs using Xilinx or Altera FPGA families and have a solid understanding of tool flow
• Experience with Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL, Xilinx Vivado, Altera Quartus, and/or ModelSim
• RTL design and verification including test benches, functional simulations, and timing closure
• Exhibit strong communication skills, are fluent in English, have great customer interaction presence, and quickly learn new technologies and processes
• Proven techniques and habits that lead to high quality design
• Embraces AI as part of a modern engineering toolkit
• Degree as a B.A.Sc., B.Eng. or equivalent
• As AMD Embedded Premier Partner, you will be certified to highest level of FPGA qualification – this will be your first “to-do” item upon joining us.

Location and travel:

Position is based in Canada. Travel may be required domestically and internationally to support customer engagements and project delivery.

This position may require access to export-controlled information. Candidates will be required to complete background checks and security screening under Canada's Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and may also be required to obtain a security clearance under the Contract Security Program (CSP) administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC, formerly PWGSC).

This role is an evergreen position.

Annual base salary ranges from $125,000 to $160,000. The final offer within this rangetakes into accountthe variations in knowledge, skills, experience, and market conditions, and with consideration to internal equity.

Our competitive compensation package also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, matching GRSP contributions, annual profit-sharing bonus, along with other supplementary benefits.

We also recognize that candidates show interest throughout different career stages and welcome all applications. When there is a great fit, the level of the role may be shifted as applicable.

About Fidus & Why Work Here

Since 2001, Fidus has completed over 4,000 projects for more than 400 customers across industries including Telecom/Datacom, Aerospace & Defence, Consumer, Semiconductors, Industrial/Automotive Controls, and Medical. As a Premier Adaptive Computing Partner for AMD North America, we combine deep technical expertise with industry-leading tools to solve complex design challenges.

Fidus designs high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems using emerging technologies, often well before they reach the broader market. Our teams work across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design to deliver real products for our customers.

At Fidus, collaboration is at the core of how we work. We value openness, trust, and shared ownership, and we create an environment where people are encouraged to contribute ideas, learn from one another, and have a meaningful impact through the work they do.

Fidus has a commitment to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process. Automated tools (including AI) support our initial screening of applicants against our job posting to identify candidates whose qualifications, experience, and skills align most closely with the position requirements. All further candidate assessments and final selection are conducted by our human recruitment team. AI does not make any final hiring decisions.

Thank you for your interest in Fidus. We welcome and encourage diverse candidates to apply. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Fidus is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.