Principal Software Designer / Concepteur(trice) logiciel principal(e)

EXFO; Quebec; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology solutions provider in Canada is seeking a Principal Software Designer to shape architecture and long-term evolution of software platforms. The successful candidate will have at least 8 years of experience in software development and proficiency in C# and Python. Join a dynamic R&D team that values diversity and innovation and work in a hybrid model offering flexibility between remote and on-site roles.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Collaborative team environment

Engaging projects in photonics

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years in software development, focusing on architecture and design.
• Proficient in French and able to communicate technically in English.
• Experience in systems involving hardware integration is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product owners to understand customer needs.
• Define architectural direction for complex software systems.
• Develop key components in C# and Python.

Skills

Software architecture and platform design

C#

Python

Refactoring legacy systems

CI/CD tools

Leadership mindset

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering

Tools

GitLab

Jenkins

Job description

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Main locations:

Quebec, Quebec, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Workplace type: Hybrid

Offer number: 5097

EXFO develops smarter test, monitoring and analytics solutions for the global communications industry. We are trusted advisers to fixed and mobile network operators, hyper-scalers and leaders in the manufacturing, development and research sector. They count on us to deliver superior visibility and insights into network performance, service reliability and user experience. Building on over 35 years of innovation, EXFO’s unique blend of equipment, software and services enable faster, more confident transformations related to 5G, cloud-native and fiber optic networks.

Since our beginnings in 1985, diversity has been one of EXFO's core values, fostering an inclusive corporate culture. We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experience into a culture that values innovative ideas, teamwork, and a customer- and market-focused approach. We seek the active contribution of everyone, with respect for the individual, the environment and the community. This is how we fulfill our purpose: to ensure the connected world meets the highest expectations, to bring together people, communities and businesses.

As a Principal Software Designer within the R&D software development team, you will play a key role in shaping the architecture and long-term evolution of our software platforms. Working closely with product management, development teams, and other technical leaders, you will contribute to strategic decisions that align technology with business needs in the context of our PIC (Photonic Integrated Circuit) inspection products.

Your Role

More specifically, as a Principal Software Designer, you will be expected to:

• Collaborate with product owners and stakeholders to understand customer needs and translate them into clear architectural and design strategies;
• Define, communicate, and document architectural direction and technical roadmaps for complex software systems;
• Collaborate in the development of key components in C# and Python, ensuring scalability, testability, and maintainability;
• Take an active role in refactoring initiatives, ensuring that technical debt is addressed in alignment with product evolution;
• Act as a mentor and technical reference within the team, promoting good development practices and design consistency;
• Engage in collaborative planning, estimation, and decision-making with cross-functional teams (software, optics, QA, electronics, systems);
• Support the evolution of software platforms to meet future product requirements and scalability needs.

What We’re Looking For

Technical Skills

• Strong experience in software architecture and platform design, ideally in systems involving hardware integration;
• Proficiency in C# and Python in an industrial or commercial environment;
• Demonstrated expertise in refactoring legacy systems and driving modernization initiatives;
• Ability to assess trade-offs between short-term deliverables and long-term architectural health;
• Knowledge of hardware/software integration contexts (e.g., vision systems, motion control, lab instruments) is an asset;
• Experience with source control and CI/CD tools (e.g., GitLab, Jenkins, etc.).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to align technical solutions with business goals;
• Strong analytical thinking and decision-making capabilities;
• Leadership mindset with a willingness to coach and support other developers;
• Comfortable working in an agile, collaborative, and multidisciplinary environment;
• Ability to take initiative and work autonomously when needed.

Requirements

• Education : Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field;
• Experience : Minimum of 8 years in software development, with significant experience in architecture and system-level design;
• Languages : Proficient in French and able to communicate effectively in technical English.

Why Join EXFO?

• Be part of a highly skilled R&D team building cutting-edge solutions in the field of photonics and automated testing;
• Help define the foundation of our next-generation software platforms;
• Collaborate with experts across disciplines in a dynamic and innovative environment;
• Work in a hybrid model with flexibility between remote work and our Québec office.

EXFO is an equal opportunity employer

Diversity is an asset that has made EXFO strong since its inception because it enriches us. For more information about diversity and inclusion at EXFO, read ourDEI Statement .

For positions located in Quebec, the language requirement is French. However, in the context where the incumbent evolves in an international work environment and where the activities take place mainly outside Quebec, we favor bilingualism as a linguistic requirement.