Senior Embedded C++ Software Engineer

Actalent; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Expert Level Embedded Software Engineer in Ottawa, ON to own the Vehicle Information Manager (VIM) and related CAN data broker software on a modern embedded Linux platform. You will guide a small team while architecting, developing, and maintaining mission-critical software that bridges vehicle networks with platform applications.

The role emphasizes end-to-end ownership, real-time performance, and a culture of high code quality, rigorous testing, and continuous

Qualifications

• Approximately 8 years of professional embedded Linux experience.
• Experience designing real-time, multi-threaded systems with low latency.
• Strong knowledge of CAN bus protocols and PDU encoding/decoding.
• Proven ability to own end-to-end architecture and mentor a small team.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end architecture of Vehicle Information Manager (VIM) and core daemon.
• Lead design and implementation of high-performance CAN PDU processing.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize public-facing client API libraries.
• Maintain Python-based configuration toolchains and 10-15% pipeline time.
• Design and maintain multi-threaded, real-time unit tests using Google Test.

Skills

Embedded Linux

Modern C++

Real-time systems

Multi-threading

SOA / IPC

CAN bus protocols

Python scripting

Mentoring / leadership

Architectural design

Tools

Google Test

pytest

pandas

Job description

Job Title:

Expert Level Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description:

This Expert-level role offers full-stack ownership of the Vehicle Information Manager (VIM), the real-time CAN data broker at the core of a modern embedded Linux platform for connected vehicles. You will lead the entire lifecycle of vehicle data, from Python-based configuration toolchains to a high-performance C++ daemon that processes live traffic. In this highly visible, high-impact position, you will architect, develop, and maintain mission-critical software that bridges physical vehicle networks with all platform applications, while mentoring a small team and ensuring robust, defect-free integration.

Responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end architecture of the Vehicle Information Manager (VIM), including the core daemon, client libraries, and configuration toolchains.
• Lead design and implementation of the fnv2vim daemon, focusing on high-performance CAN PDU processing, signal transmission, and delivery of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) services.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize public-facing client API libraries used by all applications on the embedded connectivity platform.
• Maintain and evolve the Python-based configuration toolchain that transforms database data into efficient VIM runtime configurations, dedicating approximately 10–15% of your time to this pipeline.
• Design, implement, and maintain comprehensive multi-threaded, real-time unit test suites using Google Test and related frameworks to ensure highly reliable data brokering.
• Ensure that no integration defects escape to validation by enforcing rigorous testing, code quality standards, and continuous improvement practices.
• Provide technical leadership to a small team of 2–4 developers, including mentoring, conducting code reviews, and guiding architectural decisions.
• Drive best practices in embedded C++ and embedded Linux development, promoting clean architecture, performance optimization, and maintainability.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional application teams to ensure seamless integration between vehicle network data and higher-level software services.
• Proactively identify architectural gaps and process improvements, and drive enhancements beyond immediate assigned tasks.
• Act as the primary point of contact for platform teams regarding vehicle network data access, APIs, and integration patterns.
• Contribute to the evolution of the next-generation electrical and software architecture for software-defined vehicles.

Essential Skills:

• Approximately 8 years of professional experience in embedded Linux development using modern C++ (with some flexibility on exact years).
• Proven expertise in designing and implementing real-time, multi-threaded systems where performance and latency are critical.
• Deep understanding of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), inter-process communication (IPC) middleware, and asynchronous RPC patterns.
• Expert-level knowledge of automotive CAN bus protocols, including PDU encoding and decoding and complex network configurations.
• Advanced proficiency with Google Test (GTest) and related testing frameworks, specifically for off-target simulation and multi-threaded coverage.
• Strong scripting skills in Python, including experience with pytest and pandas for data-heavy configuration pipelines.
• Demonstrated ability to own complex systems end-to-end, including architecture, implementation, testing, and integration.
• Proactive mindset with a track record of identifying gaps, improving processes, and driving architectural enhancements.
• Strong technical leadership skills, including mentoring, code review, and guidance on best practices in embedded C++ development.
• Solid experience with embedded Linux platforms and associated development toolchains.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Automotive software development experience is a strong asset.
• Experience working with software-defined vehicle architectures or connected vehicle platforms.
• Experience in middleware design and integration for large-scale, distributed embedded systems.
• Familiarity with data-heavy configuration management pipelines and optimization techniques.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering teams in complex technical environments.
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills for real-time, multi-threaded embedded applications.

Work Environment:

This role is fully onsite, five days per week, within a collaborative engineering environment focused on next-generation electrical and software architectures for connected vehicles. You will work hands-on with embedded Linux platforms, real-time C++ services, IPC middleware, CAN network interfaces, and Python-based configuration tools. The environment emphasizes close collaboration with cross-functional teams, high code quality, and rigorous testing practices to support mission-critical vehicle systems. Expect a technically challenging setting with high visibility, opportunities to influence architectural decisions, and a culture that values ownership, mentoring, and continuous improvement.

This position is for an existing opening

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract position based out of Ottawa, ON.

Pay And Benefits:

• The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $70.00/hr.
• Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Workplace Type:

This is a fully onsite position in Ottawa,ON.

À propos d'Actalent

Actalent est un leader mondial dans les services d’ingénierie et de sciences ainsi que dans les solutions de talents. Nous aidons des entreprises visionnaires à faire progresser leurs initiatives d’ingénierie et de science grâce à l’accès à des experts spécialisés qui favorisent l’échelle, l’innovation et la rapidité de mise sur le marché. Avec un réseau de près de 20 000 consultants et 5 000 clients à travers les États-Unis, le Canada, l’Asie et l’Europe, Actalent dessert de nombreuses entreprises du Fortune 500. Nous sommes fiers d’être l’une des 500 meilleures firmes de conception de l’Engineering News-Record (ENR) pour nos services de conception en ingénierie et un lauréat du prix ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® tant pour le service client que pour les talents.

Actalent est un employeur souscrivant au principe de l’égalité des chances et accepte toutes les candidatures sans tenir compte de la race, du sexe, de l’âge, de la couleur, de la religion, des origines nationales, du statut d’ancien combattant, d’un handicap, de l’orientation sexuelle, de l’identité sexuelle, des renseignements génétiques ou de toute autre caractéristique protégée par la loi.

Si vous souhaitez faire une demande d’accommodement raisonnable, tel que la modification ou l’ajustement du processus de demande d’emploi ou d’entrevue à cause d’un handicap, veuillez envoyer un courriel à [e-mail] pour connaître d’autres options d’accommodement.

Ordonnance sur l’égalité des chances de San Francisco

Conformément à l’Ordonnance sur l’égalité des chances de San Francisco, pour tous les postes situés dans la ville et le comté de San Francisco, nous examinerons les candidatures des personnes qualifiées ayant un casier judiciaire ou des antécédents criminels.

Utilisation de l’intelligence artificielle (IA)

Nous pouvons utiliser l’intelligence artificielle (IA) pour soutenir certaines étapes de notre processus d’embauche, notamment la recherche, la présélection et l’évaluation des candidatures. L’IA aide à analyser les candidatures et les qualifications, mais les décisions finales sont prises par notre équipe de recrutement. En soumettant votre candidature, vous reconnaissez et acceptez que celle-ci puisse être examinée à l’aide d’outils d’IA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.