Principal Software Development Engineer

Nokia; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Nokia is seeking a seasoned SDK engineer to join our ASIC DSP SDK team in Ottawa. You will design, implement, validate, and optimize SDKs and APIs on Linux, collaborating across ASIC, firmware, hardware design, and systems teams.

The role includes mentoring junior engineers and driving post-silicon validation and NPI. The ideal candidate has over a decade of experience in DSP software, embedded architecture, and pre-/post-silicon activities, with a strong background in C/C++ and Linux

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience developing device drivers and software for high-speed coherent DSPs, including DSP firmware and low-level software development.
• 5+ years of hands-on C/C++ development on Linux and DSP platforms.
• Proven experience in new product introduction (NPI) and ASIC SDK development, integration, and deployment.
• Strong understanding of embedded software architecture, hardware/software interaction, and performance optimization techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain high-quality ASIC SDK software using C/C++ on Linux platforms.
• Drive pre-silicon software development and validation using architectural models, simulators, and hardware emulation environments.
• Lead post-silicon bring-up, testing, debugging, and performance optimization activities for next-generation coherent DSP and ASIC products.
• Collaborate closely with ASIC, firmware, systems, and architecture teams throughout the product lifecycle to enable successful new product introduction (NPI).
• Define comprehensive SDK validation strategies, develop test plans, and execute test suites to ensure product quality and feature completeness.
• Develop and enhance SDK APIs, software frameworks, and DSP-related algorithms based on product and system requirements.
• Analyse complex hardware-software interactions, diagnose system-level issues, and drive resolution across cross-functional teams.
• Produce clear and comprehensive design specifications, architecture documents, API documentation, and technical reports.
• Contribute to software architecture decisions, coding standards, and best practices to ensure scalable and maintainable solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership through design reviews, code reviews, problem-solving guidance, and knowledge sharing.
• Drive engineering excellence by improving software quality, automation, development processes, and overall team productivity.
• Work effectively with global engineering teams to deliver high-performance solutions on schedule and with high quality.

Skills

C/C++ development

Linux development

DSP firmware

Software architecture

Mentoring

NPI experience

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or related field

Tools

DSP SDKs

Architectural models

Simulators

Hardware emulation environments

Job description

Job Description

Join Nokia’s SDK team and help develop cutting‑edge SDKs for client and DSP ASICs. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams—including ASIC, firmware, hardware design, and architecture—to drive innovation from pre‑silicon through post‑silicon stages, ensuring seamless integration into final products.

How You Will Contribute And What You Will Learn

• Design, develop, and maintain high‑quality ASIC SDK software using C/C++ on Linux platforms.
• Drive pre‑silicon software development and validation using architectural models, simulators, and hardware emulation environments.
• Lead post‑silicon bring‑up, testing, debugging, and performance optimisation activities for next‑generation coherent DSP and ASIC products.
• Collaborate closely with ASIC, firmware, systems, and architecture teams throughout the product lifecycle to enable successful new product introduction (NPI).
• Define comprehensive SDK validation strategies, develop test plans, and execute test suites to ensure product quality and feature completeness.
• Develop and enhance SDK APIs, software frameworks, and DSP‑related algorithms based on product and system requirements.
• Analyse complex hardware‑software interactions, diagnose system‑level issues, and drive resolution across cross‑functional teams.
• Produce clear and comprehensive design specifications, architecture documents, API documentation, and technical reports.
• Contribute to software architecture decisions, coding standards, and best practices to ensure scalable and maintainable solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership through design reviews, code reviews, problem‑solving guidance, and knowledge sharing.
• Drive engineering excellence by improving software quality, automation, development processes, and overall team productivity.
• Work effectively with global engineering teams to deliver high‑performance solutions on schedule and with high quality.

Key Skills And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of experience in developing device drivers and software for high‑speed coherent DSPs, including DSP firmware and low‑level software development.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience in C/C++ development on Linux and DSP platforms.
• Proven experience in new product introduction (NPI) and ASIC SDK development, integration, and deployment.
• Strong understanding of embedded software architecture, hardware/software interaction, and performance optimisation techniques.

Nice to Have

• Experience in SDK API design, development, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of DSP algorithms and algorithm development for optical networking and communication systems.
• Expertise in test strategy, test plan definition, validation, and execution.
• Hands‑on experience with high‑speed interfaces and mixed‑signal components, including ADCs, DACs, and SerDes.
• Familiarity with ASIC bring‑up, debugging, and post‑silicon validation activities.
• Experience with Ethernet, optical transport, or coherent communication systems.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to collaborate across hardware, firmware, and software teams.