QNX Systems Software Developer II

bb; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

VIP incentive program

Employee benefits

Job summary

BlackBerry is seeking a Systems Software Developer for its Middleware team in Ottawa. You will design, implement, and maintain VirtIO virtual devices and collaborate with hardware vendors and Android AOSP teams to optimize virtualization and real‑time performance.

The role emphasizes working with ISO 26262 safety considerations and providing specialized engineering services to customers, with opportunities to influence product direction.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in C/C++ and real‑time concepts earned through internships or relevant projects.
• Familiarity with QNX RTOS kernel, device drivers, IPC, memory management.
• Exposure to virtualization concepts (VirtIO, hypervisors) or Android AOSP framework is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop VirtIO virtual devices exposing virtualized hardware to guest OS with low latency and high throughput.
• Collaborate with hardware vendors and Android AOSP teams for device drivers, memory mappings, and interrupts.
• Provide specialized integration support, troubleshoot deployment blockers, and deliver middleware solutions to customers.
• Optimize real‑time performance across kernel‑space to user‑space, with profiling and tuning.
• Contribute to product roadmap and design discussions by staying abreast of virtualization and embedded security trends.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Real-time systems concepts

Internships / academic projects

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Software Engineering/Computer Engineering

Tools

QNX RTOS

VirtIO virtualization

Android AOSP familiarity

Job description

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.

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.

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.

You will

• 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.

You will have:

• 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.

If you are looking to make a real impact, then we’d love to hear from you!

#LI-KH1

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: 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 progr