QNX Systems Software Developer II

BlackBerry Inc.; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

VIP Bonus

Medical insurance

Employee share plan

Paid time off

Job summary

BlackBerry is seeking a Systems Software Developer for middleware to design, implement, and maintain VirtIO virtual devices that enable low-latency, high-throughput communication across guest OSes. You will work closely with hardware vendors and Android AOSP teams to co-design drivers, mappings, and interrupt handling for virtual devices.

The role demands strong C/C++ and real-time expertise, with opportunities to engage directly with customers and field teams to deliver tailored middleware

Qualifications

• Strong foundational knowledge of software development with C/C++ and real-time concepts.
• Familiarity with QNX RTOS (kernel, device drivers, IPC, memory management).
• Exposure to virtualization concepts (VirtIO, hypervisors) or Android AOSP is a plus.
• Basic understanding of low-level programming (DMA, interrupts, memory mapping, device driver architecture).

Responsibilities

• Develop VirtIO virtual devices exposing virtualized hardware to guest OSes with low latency and high throughput.
• Collaborate with hardware vendors and Android AOSP teams to co-design device drivers and memory mappings.
• Provide customer/in-field engineering support to resolve integration blockers and deliver middleware solutions.
• Optimize real-time performance across kernel-space to user-space, with profiling and tuning.
• Contribute to product roadmap and stay ahead of virtualization and embedded security trends.

Skills

C/C++

Real-time systems

Embedded middleware

Low-level programming

Debugging

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Software Engineering

Tools

QNX RTOS

Android AOSP

DMA & interrupts

Job description

About QNX

Worker Sub-Type: Regular Job Description: QNX enhances the human experience and amplifies technology-driven industries, providing a trusted foundation for software-defined businesses to thrive. The business leads the way in delivering safe and secure operating systems, hypervisors, middleware, solutions, and development tools, along with support and services delivered by trusted embedded software experts. With a focus on reducing hardware dependency and increasing efficiency, QNX empowers organizations to unlock new possibilities in areas like high-performance computing at the edge, standards-based virtualization technologies, and cloud enablement. QNX® technology has been deployed in the world’s most critical embedded systems, including more than 275 million vehicles on the road today. QNX® software is trusted across industries including automotive, medical devices, industrial controls, robotics, commercial vehicles, rail, and aerospace and defense.

Role

Are you the person we are looking for? At QNX, we are building the next generation of middleware that powers virtualization and real-time performance across a wide range of platforms. As a Systems Software Developer on our Middleware team, you will design, implement, and maintain VirtIO virtual devices - including virtual sockets, shared input, shared filesystems, and shared messaging systems. In this role, you will also play a key part in the functional safety lifecycle, ensuring software complies with rigorous industry standards like ISO 26262 (ASIL D). Additionally, you will directly support our customers, delivering specialized engineering services, integration support, and custom solutions to help launch their mission-critical products into production.

Early Career Fit

If you're an early-career systems engineer who thrives on low-level systems work, has a strong foundation in C/C++ and real-time concepts, and is passionate about pushing the limits of embedded middleware, this is the role for you.

Responsibilities

• Develop VirtIO virtual devices that expose virtualized hardware to guest operating systems, ensuring low-latency and high-throughput communication.
• Collaborate with hardware vendors and Android AOSP teams to co-design device drivers, memory mappings, and interrupt handling for virtual devices.
• Partner directly with customers and field engineering teams to provide specialized integration support, troubleshoot deployment blockers, and deliver tailored middleware solutions.
• Optimize real-time performance across the stack, from kernel-space drivers to user-space libraries and conduct rigorous profiling and tuning.
• Stay ahead of industry trends in virtualization and embedded security, and contribute directly to product roadmap and design discussions.

Qualifications

• Strong foundational knowledge of software development, with a proven proficiency in C/C++ programming and real-time systems concepts gained through relevant internships, academic coursework, or complex personal projects.
• Familiarity or exposure to QNX RTOS (kernel, device drivers, IPC, memory management).
• Understanding of or exposure to virtualization concepts (VirtIO, hypervisors) or Android AOSP framework layers is a strong plus.
• Basic understanding of hypervisors such as QEMU and Xen is desirable.
• Foundational exposure to low-level programming (DMA, interrupts, memory mapping, device driver architecture).
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across hardware, OS, and application teams.
• A passion for experimentation – you love prototyping, testing new ideas, and turning them into production-grade code.
• Bachelor's (or higher) degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Computer Engineering.

Schedule and Compensation

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Compensation Hiring Base Salary Range: $90,000.00 - $132,000.00 Please be advised that the compensation hiring range indicated herein is provided solely as a good-faith estimate of expected base compensation for the position. The actual compensation offered will be determined at the time of hire and is contingent upon multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, demonstrated skills, and results of assessments conducted during the hiring process.

Bonus

Bonus: The BlackBerry Variable Incentive Pay (VIP) program is an organization-wide bonus incentive program which aims to reward full-time eligible employees for their contribution to BlackBerry's success. VIP payments are made in addition to base salary and factor in company's performance as a way for employees to share in BlackBerry’s achievements.

Benefits

• The BlackBerry Employee Benefits programs offer a wide range of benefits that support your physical, financial and personal well-being.
• BlackBerry remains committed to offering affordable benefits including coverage for medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, retirement, employee share purchase program and paid-time-off to those that meet the eligibility requirements.

Position Status

Disclosure of Position Status: This is an active opening. We are seeking to fill this position immediately

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Disclosure of Artificial Intelligence: We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants at any stage of our recruitment process.

Company

BlackBerry provides enterprises and governments the intelligent software and services to power the world around us. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry's high-performance foundational software enables major automakers and industrial giants alike to unlock transformative applications, drive new revenue streams and launch innovative business models, all without sacrificing safety, security or reliability. And with our deep heritage in Secure Communications, BlackBerry delivers operational resiliency with a comprehensive, highly secure and extensively certified portfolio for mobile fortification, mission-critical communications and critical event management.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of BlackBerry to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship, status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law. EEO Minorities/Females/Protected Veteran/Disabled BlackBerry strives to create an accessible and inclusive application and selection process and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to job applicants who may require provisions to participate in the selection process. Should you require an accommodation, please contact [e-mail] or contact our HR department by calling 1-519-888-7465. We will reply to your request as soon as possible.

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