Senior Firmware Engineer

RBR Ltd.; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer to join their innovative R&D team. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge oceanographic instruments that contribute to vital research in climate change. You will collaborate with a diverse team of experts, taking ownership of firmware projects and ensuring high-quality deliverables. If you are a proactive problem solver who enjoys tackling complex challenges and is passionate about empowering oceanographers worldwide, this position is perfect for you. Join a company that values teamwork, continuous improvement, and making a meaningful impact on our planet!

Benefits

20 days of vacation

Company-wide holiday shutdown

Paid sick days

Work from wherever Wednesdays

Benefits from day 1

RRSP contribution matching

Company-wide bonus program

Annual fitness reimbursement

Greener commuting incentive

Charitable donation matching

Qualifications

• 10+ years of engineering experience with 7+ years in firmware development.
• Proficiency in C/C++, firmware architecture, and troubleshooting techniques.

Responsibilities

• Define and develop embedded firmware applications and system architecture.
• Implement best practices in software development methodologies.
• Take ownership of projects from concept to deployment.

Skills

C Programming

C++ Programming

Firmware Development

Troubleshooting and Debugging

Communication Protocols

Embedded Systems

Agile Development

Organizational Skills

Excellent Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's Degree in Computer Science

Tools

JTAG Tools

IDE

Logic Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Jira

Confluence

Job description

About RBR

At RBR, we’ve been making waves in oceanography since 1973, designing cutting-edge instruments to measure our blue planet. Built to withstand some of the harshest environments on Earth, our instruments are deployed from the ocean’s deepest trenches to the polar ice caps, capturing essential data on water temperature, salinity, pH, and more. This data empowers researchers in the global fight against climate change, and our technology supports groundbreaking science with partners like Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Woods Hole, the Scripps Institution, and the British Antarctic Survey.

At RBR, we care deeply about our work, each other, the environment, and the global communities we serve. We value teamwork, continuous improvement, and having fun along the way. From Friday lunches to social events, we’re a crew that thrives on taking on complex and exciting challenges that have a meaningful impact on the blue planet! Ready to make waves with us? Apply below!

About the role

Join our talented R&D team as a Senior Firmware Engineer and help shape the future of oceanographic research! At RBR, you'll work with experts across firmware, systems, electronics, mechanical, software, and sensor engineering—all while contributing to cutting-edge oceanographic instruments. We're looking for a proactive problem solver who takes ownership, delivers top-notch firmware, and thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment. If you love creating solutions that empower oceanographers worldwide and enjoy learning and exploring new technologies, we want to hear from you!

What you'll do

• Define and support the design and development of embedded firmware applications, and will be involved in system architecture decisions and firmware design methodologies
• Implement and ensure best practices in software development methodologies across the teams
• Implement and maintain software versioning and revision control
• Evaluate and balance trade-offs in system design to meet diverse requirements
• Take ownership of your projects from concept to deployment, ensuring they stay on schedule
• Translate design specifications into system designs and implementations, actively leading design and code reviews
• Share your expertise to enhance software architecture and feature design
• Work proactively with hardware and software teams to translate requirements into working designs and contribute to improvements in system-level architecture
• Contribute to the conceptual development of innovative products and projects
• Stay up-to-date on industry developments in software engineering technologies, processes, and disciplines
• Help drive a high-performing and continuous learning culture

What you bring

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or an equivalent field
• Preferred 10+ years of engineering experience, including at least 7 years in firmware development, with proficiency in the following areas:
  • Software development in both C and C++
  • Firmware architecture
  • Troubleshooting and debugging using JTAG tools, IDE, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes
  • Knowledge of communication protocols such as RS232, SPI, I2C, I3C, USB, and Bluetooth
  • Experience with embedded systems test methodologies, continuous integration, and quality management principles
  • Hands-on experience with low-power microcontrollers (STM32/ARM preferred)
  • Proficiency with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS, e.g., Zephyr)
  • Ability to read, comprehend, and annotate electronic schematics, including digital, mixed-signal, and analog devices
• Experience working in an Agile development process; familiarity with Jira/Confluence tools would be an asset
• Strong organizational skills and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team
• Adaptability to work in an interrupt-driven environment, managing multiple projects, and shifting priorities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Nice to have

• Knowledge of signal-processing algorithms
• Experience in Embedded Linux development
• Proficiency in Bash and Python scripting
• Familiarity with containerized development environments
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing
• Interest in and knowledge of emerging embedded technologies (platforms, languages)
• Knows which end of a soldering iron is the hot one :)
• Can wield a screwdriver

Current perks at RBR

20 days of vacation, plus a company-wide holiday shutdown and paid sick days

Work from wherever Wednesdays (most roles eligible)

Benefits from day 1 & RRSP contribution matching

Company-wide bonus program

Annual fitness reimbursement program

Greener commuting incentive program (bike-to-work, carpool, or transit passes)

EV reimbursement program + on-site charging stations

Charitable donation matching

Monthly Friday lunches (on us)!

At RBR, we celebrate and support diversity in our workplace, we are an equal-opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We seek to recruit the best and most talented people for the job. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.