Senior Embedded Software Engineer - BSP and Secure Bootloaders

Randstad Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad Canada’s client is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer specializing in BSPs, bootloaders, and secure hardware for automotive infotainment and hardware modules. This onsite role focuses on designing, developing, and hardening low-level software assets for next-generation vehicle systems.

You will own the full lifecycle from bring-up to validation, work with Linux and QNX, and implement SHE/HSM specifications to ensure platform integrity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of dedicated professional experience in BSP design, QNX/Linux kernel development, and custom bootloader engineering.
• Board bring-up track record: completed at least 2 full hardware bring-ups.
• Strong knowledge of cryptographic algorithms and hardware security concepts.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain BSP features and custom bootloader architectures on Linux and QNX.
• Architect and implement secure boot workflows leveraging cryptographic algorithms and secure memory configurations.
• Integrate HSM and SHE specifications into low-level software stacks; perform hardware bring-up and driver development for UART, I2C, SPI, CAN.

Skills

BSP design

QNX/Linux kernel development

Bootloader engineering

C programming

ARM processors (Cortex-A/M)

Secure boot & cryptography

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

JTAG

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

UART

I2C

SPI

CAN/CAN FD

Git

SVN

Job description

Our client’s BSP and Driver Development Team is seeking a highly skilled Embedded Software Engineer specializing in Board Support Packages (BSPs) and secure bootloaders. This is a Fully Onsite position focused on designing, developing, and hardening low-level software assets for next-generation vehicle infotainment, connectivity, and hardware modules.

This role requires a low-level embedded software expert with a deep understanding of Linux and QNX OS/kernel internals, silicon bring-up, and hardware-based security architectures. You will own the full lifecycle of custom bootloaders and BSP features, writing low-level C and assembly code, interfacing with hardware memory controllers, and implementing Secure Hardware Extension (SHE) and Hardware Security Module (HSM) specifications to ensure system-level platform integrity.

Advantages

• Next-Generation Architecture: Build core hardware-enablement and boot security solutions that directly power future vehicle platforms.
• Deep Hardware Exposure: Work directly with physical silicon, custom PCB schematics, ARM architectures, and diagnostic lab equipment.
• Cybersecurity Focus: Implement hardware-root-of-trust, cryptographic algorithms, and secure boot architectures for mission-critical automotive systems.
• Hands-on Engineering Scope: Take full ownership of complete board bring-ups from early silicon arrival through production validation.

Responsibilities

1. BSP, Bootloader & Security Engineering

Design, build, and maintain BSP features and custom bootloader architectures on Linux and QNX operating systems.

Architect and implement secure boot workflows leveraging cryptographic algorithms (RSA, AES, DES, SHA-1) and secure memory configurations.

Integrate Hardware Security Modules (HSM) and Secure Hardware Extension (SHE) specifications into low-level software stacks.

Configure and optimize memory controllers for eMMC, NAND, and NOR flash devices.

2. Hardware Bring-Up & Low-Level Driver Development

Lead and execute complete hardware board bring-up iterations for new ECU target modules.

Design, implement, and debug low-level device drivers across hardware interfaces, including UART, I2C, SPI, and CAN/CAN FD protocols.

Read and interpret complex electronic schematics to diagnose physical signal issues and pin mappings.

Utilize diagnostic hardware tools—such as JTAG debuggers, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers—to troubleshoot complex silicon and OS-level defects.

3. Technical Governance & Validation

Author clear, comprehensive software design specifications and actively participate in team code reviews.

Support verification and validation teams by setting up unit/integration test routines and analyzing low-level failure modes.

Proactively communicate technical blockers, system anomalies, and risk mitigations to cross-functional engineering teams.

Qualifications

Core Experience & Education

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Tenure: 8+ years of dedicated professional experience in BSP design, QNX/Linux kernel development, and custom bootloader engineering.

Board Bring-Up Track Record: Proven experience completing at least 2 full hardware board bring-ups from scratch.

Technical Skillset Matrix

Programming Languages: Extensive low-level C programming and debugging capabilities, combined with hands-on Assembly language experience.

Linux & QNX OS Internals: Deep understanding of memory mapping, file systems, device trees, and kernel-space driver architectures.

Processor Architecture: Detailed operational knowledge of ARM processors (Cortex-A and Cortex-M series).

Security & Cryptography: Hands-on experience with SHE specifications, HSM integration, and cryptographic algorithms (RSA, AES, DES, SHA-1).

Hardware Interfaces & Storage: Proficiency developing for UART, I2C, SPI, and CAN/CAN FD, alongside experience with eMMC, NAND, and NOR memory controllers.

Lab Tools & Diagnostics: Skilled in reading electronic schematics and using JTAG, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes for hardware-software triage.

Version Control: Proficiency with modern source management tools, including Git and SVN.

Summary

Our client’s BSP and Driver Development Team is seeking a highly skilled Embedded Software Engineer specializing in Board Support Packages (BSPs) and secure bootloaders. This is a Fully Onsite position focused on designing, developing, and hardening low-level software assets for next-generation vehicle infotainment, connectivity, and hardware modules.

Randstad Canada is committed to fostering a workforce reflective of all peoples of Canada. As a result, we are committed to developing and implementing strategies to increase the equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace by examining our internal policies, practices, and systems throughout the entire lifecycle of our workforce, including its recruitment, retention and advancement for all employees. In addition to our deep commitment to respecting human rights, we are dedicated to positive actions to affect change to ensure everyone has full participation in the workforce free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise, especially equity-seeking groups who are usually underrepresented in Canada's workforce, including those who identify as women or non-binary/gender non-conforming; Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples; persons with disabilities (visible or invisible) and; members of visible minorities, racialized groups and the LGBTQ2+ community.

Randstad Canada is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that all job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by sending an email to [e-mail] to ensure their ability to fully participate in the interview process.

This posting is for existing and upcoming vacancies.