Senior Software Developer

RBR; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental technology firm in Ottawa is seeking a Senior Software Developer. You will be responsible for evolving a sophisticated Java-based platform, enabling climate research through innovative software solutions. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of software development experience, particularly in Java, and a passion for environmental impact. Enjoy 20 days vacation, wellness benefits, and a collaborative work environment.

Benefits

20 days of vacation

Work from wherever Wednesdays

Benefits from day 1

Annual fitness reimbursement program

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive software development experience.
• Proven ability to architect complex, multi-tiered systems.
• Experience mentoring developers and conducting design reviews.

Responsibilities

• Evolve Java-based platform for processing sensor data.
• Build and maintain calibration software systems.
• Contribute to software roadmap and architectural vision.

Skills

Java expertise

OOP

Design patterns

Multithreading

Cross-platform development

Job description

Overview

Senior Software Developer role at RBR.

About RBR

At RBR, we’ve been designing cutting-edge instruments to measure our blue planet for over 50 years. 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.

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!

What you’ll do

You’ll be a senior technical leader on Ruskin, our flagship Java-based software. Ruskin plays a central role both inside and outside RBR: researchers worldwide use it to deploy instruments and visualize ocean data, while our in-house calibration team relies on it to ensure every instrument meets rigorous accuracy standards.

What you’ll build

• Evolve our sophisticated, multi-layered Java-based platform and design scalable systems for processing sensor data
• Contribute to our software roadmap and long-term architectural vision
• Develop robust communication protocols and optimize database and storage interactions
• Maintain and enhance our instrument communication frameworks

Calibration software & APIs

• Build and maintain calibration software systems and REST APIs using Spring / Spring Boot applications
• Integrate calibration workflows with QA, manufacturing, and lab operations
• Design intuitive UIs for both researchers (customers) and RBR’s Calibration team
• Balance functionality with usability for mission-critical applications
• Improve CI / CD pipelines, release planning, and deployment strategies
• Involvement in all aspects of the software design life cycle
• Support Engineering, Production, and Calibration teams across the full development lifecycle
• Support researchers deploying instruments worldwide and contribute to open science
• Provide developer-level support to the global oceanographic community
• Ensure data accuracy through reliable, well-integrated calibration systems

What we’re looking for

• Experience & expertise: 10+ years of progressive software development, including strong Java experience and the ability to adapt across evolving tech stacks. Skilled in OOP, design patterns, multithreading, and cross-platform development.
• Architecture & systems design: Proven ability to architect complex, multi-tiered systems integrating hardware, databases, APIs, and user interfaces. Comfortable evaluating frameworks and ensuring scalability, reliability, and performance.
• Leadership: Experienced in mentoring developers, conducting design / code reviews, and setting technical direction. Strong background in CI / CD, testing strategies, and deployment practices.
• Mindset: Analytical, resourceful, and collaborative. Thrives in fast-paced, mission-driven environments with unique design challenges.

The RBR mindset

• Passion for environmental impact and climate science
• Loves solving unique technical challenges
• Collaborative spirit with interrupt-driven adaptability
• Creative and resourceful approach to problem-solving
• Enjoys unique design challenges and innovative solutions
• Interest in precision instrumentation and scientific accuracy
• Embraces new technologies and modern development approaches

Why you’ll love working 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 and RRSP contribution matching
• Annual fitness reimbursement program
• Monthly Friday lunches (on us)!
• Team events and social activities
• Collaborative, supportive work environment
• Direct impact on climate science and ocean research

Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Engineering and Research
• Industries: Measuring and Control Instrument Manufacturing, Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing, and Manufacturing
• Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

At RBR, we celebrate and support diversity in our workplace. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome people from all backgrounds and aim to find the most talented person for each role. Accommodations are available upon request at every stage of the selection process.

Ready to make waves? Join a team where your code makes a real difference in understanding and protecting our planet's oceans. At RBR, you're not just building software—you're enabling the science that helps save our planet, from field deployment to laboratory precision.

Let's build the future of oceanographic software together!