Intermediate Software Developer

IBM; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM Ottawa is seeking an experienced Application Developer to build, support, and maintain applications. You will work with low-level systems using C/C++ and Python across client projects in the federal and defence domains.

The role requires a Master\'s degree and eligibility for Canadian security clearances including Secret and NATO. Onsite in Ottawa, you will join a collaborative team and contribute to modern middleware, event-driven architectures, and DevOps practices.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of programming experience, including low-level systems development.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python.
• Strong understanding of memory management and bitwise operations.
• Experience with middleware development and event-driven architectures.
• Experience with Agile/Scrum environments.
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps.

Responsibilities

• Develop, support, and maintain applications using C/C++ and Python.
• Analyze and resolve issues to minimize client disruption.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement solutions.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to team members.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Memory management

Networking protocols

Leadership

Mentoring

Agile/Scrum

DevOps

Education

Master's Degree

Tools

Event brokers

Service mesh

CI/CD pipelines

DevOps

Job description

Introduction

A career in IBM Consulting is built on long-term client relationships and close collaboration worldwide. You’ll work with leading companies across industries, helping them shape their hybrid cloud and AI journeys. With support from our strategic partners, robust IBM technology, and Red Hat, you’ll have the tools to drive meaningful change and accelerate client impact. At IBM Consulting, curiosity fuels success. You’ll be encouraged to challenge the norm, explore new ideas, and create innovative solutions that deliver real results. Our culture of growth and empathy focuses on your long-term career development while valuing your unique skills and experiences.

Introduction

A career in IBM Consulting is built on long-term client relationships and close collaboration worldwide. You’ll work with leading companies across industries, helping them shape their hybrid cloud and AI journeys. With support from our strategic partners, robust IBM technology, and Red Hat, you’ll have the tools to drive meaningful change and accelerate client impact. At IBM Consulting, curiosity fuels success. You’ll be encouraged to challenge the norm, explore new ideas, and create innovative solutions that deliver real results. Our culture of growth and empathy focuses on your long-term career development while valuing your unique skills and experiences.

Your Role And Responsibilities

As an Application Developer, you will develop, support, and maintain applications.

Your Primary Responsibilities Will Include

• Develop and Maintain Applications: Develop, support, and maintain applications development platforms such as C, C++, and Python, ensuring high-quality solutions that meet client needs.
• Analyze and Resolve Issues: Utilize expertise in technologies to analyze and resolve issues, providing timely and effective solutions to ensure minimal disruption to clients.
• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with cross-functional teams to design and implement solutions, providing technical guidance and support to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Implement solutions that meet client needs, and high-quality results.

Preferred Education

Master's Degree

Pre Requirements

Required technical and professional expertise

Government of Canada Security Clearance is a requirement for this role. You must be eligible to obtain Secret, NATO and Controlled Goods Clearances

• Must be either a Canadian Citizen or Canadian Permanent Resident
• Must have resided in Canada for a minimum of 10 consecutive years, without leaving Canada (for any reason) for more than 30 days at a time OR traveling abroad to any non-NATO countries for any period.
• Must have a clean criminal and credit history

This role involves examination, possession or transfer of controlled goods and technology as defined under the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and ITAR data/technology. To be eligible for employment in this role, you must be a Canadian citizen or Canadian Permanent Resident. Canadian citizens and permanent residents must be security assessed under the Canadian controlled goods program. If you hold dual or third nationality, in addition to being either a Canadian citizen or Canadian Permanent Resident the nationality must be from one of the following countries in order to be eligible for employment in this role: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, United States of America. All applicants will also be required to undergo an additional security assessment conducted by an IBM designated Controlled Goods Program official as a condition of employment.

This role is onsite in Ottawa, Ontario only.

Requirements

Required Professional and Technical Capabilities

• 5+ years of programming experience, including low-level systems development
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python
• Strong understanding of bitwise operations and memory management
• Solid knowledge of networking and communication protocols
• Experience with system integration and interoperability, bridging legacy and modern technologies
• Hands-on experience with middleware development, including:
• Event brokers
• Service mesh / event mesh architectures
• Ability to lead and mentor small teams (5–7 members):
• Estimate level of effort (LOE) for tasks and projects
• Provide technical guidance to less experienced developers
• Manage and track team tasks effectively
• Prioritize work in dynamic environments
• Demonstrated self-motivation and autonomy in delivering results
• Ability to lead and contribute to the development of technical designs and documentation
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
• Commitment to quality control and continuous improvement practices
• Experience reviewing and evaluating solutions developed by internal teams or third-party vendors
• Strong continuous learning mindset and adaptability

Technical Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of event-driven and publish–subscribe architectures
• Familiarity with system engineering principles and best practices
• Understanding of interoperability standards and integration methods
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps workflows
• Knowledge of design principles, software engineering processes (i.e. SOLID, DRY), and the Software Development Cycle (SDLC).
• Experience with low-level engineering (e.g. Device drive development)

Preferred Technical And Professional Experience

Nice to Have Capabilities:

• Experience working in the Defence Industry or on defence-related systems
• Possession of, or eligibility for, Canadian Security Clearance
• Experience with Ada or other strongly typed programming languages
• Familiarity with AI-assisted coding tools and modern development workflows (e.g., code generation, and automation)