Solutions Architect, FPGA

Fidus Systems; Ottawa, Kitchener; On-site; CAD 195,000 - 251,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401(k) with profit-sharing

Job summary

Fidus Systems is hiring a Solutions Architect, FPGA to drive client engagements from needs analysis to proposal, shaping architecture and estimates for high-speed electronic systems. You will collaborate across hardware, software, and verification teams, working on diverse markets and technologies.

You will lead proposals, assess risks, and help identify new product opportunities while traveling up to 6 weeks per year in North America.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
• 7+ years in design, preferably as a Senior FPGA Designer.
• System-level design experience with architectural tradeoffs.
• Expert RTL design in VHDL or SystemVerilog from architecture to timing.
• Experience with AMD/Altera devices and toolchains.

Responsibilities

• Engage with clients to understand needs and translate into requirements.
• Architect a solution and identify risks with mitigation strategies.
• Prepare work plans and estimates for client proposals.
• Create technical content for proposals and presentations.
• Demo and communicate Fidus capabilities and approach to delivery.

Skills

RTL design

VHDL

SystemVerilog

FPGA

PCIe

High-speed interfaces

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/CE/CS

Tools

AMD/Altera toolchains

Job description

Fidus is a global high-tech design firm headquartered in Ottawa, with additional design centres in Kitchener-Waterloo and San Jose. We specialize in leading-edge electronic product development, with hardware, embedded software, FPGA/ASIC, and signal integrity teams working together to design and deliver next-generation products for clients in emerging technology markets.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Solutions Architect, FPGA that will have a critical role in understanding technical project requirements, for existing and potential clients, to assess whether the opportunity will be a good fit. Once an opportunity fit is assessed, the Solutions Architect will be responsible for developing a solution path, preparing an estimate for the work, and highlighting the risks and mitigation strategies.

Make an Impact with US:

At Fidus, you’ll work on high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems, often using emerging technologies before they reach the broader market. You’ll collaborate across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design as part of cross-functional teams delivering real products for our clients.

In practice, that means contributing to projects across Communications, Aerospace & Defence, Life Sciences & Medical Devices, Space & Satellite, Industrial Automation, Automotive, and Semiconductor engagements. You won’t be limited to a single product or industry—your work will follow the technology, not just one roadmap.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Work directly with potential and existing clients to understand their needs, then develop their requirements;
• Architect a solution that meets the Client’s needs;
• Develop a plan, identify risks and mitigation strategies, and estimate the work required, to deliver a client solution;
• Write the technical content for proposals;
• Understand and present Fidus’ resource skill capabilities and work approach;
• Discuss, promote, defend, and, if necessary, refine, the work approach and estimate;
• Evaluate and understand solutions, to partition programs into logical segments;
• Undertake project work as required;
• Assist in identifying and developing new Fidus products;
• Assist in identifying new areas of investment and research & development.

• Bachelor’s degree in either Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or the equivalent;
• Ideally at least seven (7) years of design background in a Senior FPGA Designer role;
• System Level design experience and interest, including identifying architectural approaches and tradeoffs;
• An expert level of knowledge of RTL design in VHDL and/or SystemVerilog, from architecture through timing closure;
• Hands-on experience with AMD and/or Altera device families — Versal, UltraScale+, Zynq, Agilex, Stratix — and their associated toolchains;
• Experience architecting high-speed interfaces and subsystems, including PCIe, Ethernet, DDR memory controllers, JESD204, and AXI-based SoC integration;
• Familiarity with verification approaches, including SystemVerilog/UVM testbenches and hardware-in-the-loop validation;
• In-lab experience with FPGA bring-up, debug, and performance validation;
• Some knowledge of hardware and embedded software;
• Exposure to high-reliability or safety-critical FPGA development, such as DO-254 or equivalent, is an asset;
• Ability to undertake designs with ITAR restrictions or Classified information;
• Concise communication and writing skills;
• Excellent listening, understanding, and extrapolation skills;
• Professional and personable;
• Enjoys travel, which is anticipated to be up to 6 weeks per year, typically within North America;
• Proven experience with giving presentations to small-to-medium sized groups.
  

Location and travel:

Position is based in the United States. Travel will be required typically within North America for up to 6 weeks per year.

This position may require access to export-controlled information. Candidates must be a U.S. person as defined under 22 CFR 120.62, or be eligible for an export license. Candidates will be required to complete background checks.

Our competitive compensation package also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k) plan contributions, annual profit-sharing bonus, along with other supplementary benefits

We also recognize that candidates show interest throughout different career stages and welcome all applications. When there is a great fit, the level of the role may be shifted as applicable.

About Fidus & Why Work Here

Since 2001, Fidus has completed over 4,000 projects for more than 400 customers across industries including Telecom/Datacom, Aerospace & Defence, Consumer, Semiconductors, Industrial/Automotive Controls, and Medical. As a Premier Adaptive Computing Partner for AMD North America, we combine deep technical expertise with industry-leading tools to solve complex design challenges.

Fidus designs high-speed, high-complexity electronic systems using emerging technologies, often well before they reach the broader market. Our teams work across FPGA/DSP, hardware, embedded software, verification, SI/PI, PCB layout, and mechanical/thermal design to deliver real products for our customers.

At Fidus, collaboration is at the core of how we work. We value openness, trust, and shared ownership, and we create an environment where people are encouraged to contribute ideas, learn from one another, and have a meaningful impact through the work they do.

If all of this excites you, has your attention, and you can’t wait to join our amazing team and work environment, then we want to hear from you!

Curious what it's actually like to work here? Take a look at our Working at Fidus page.

Fidus has a commitment to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process. Automated tools (including AI) support our initial screening of applicants against our job posting to identify candidates whose qualifications, experience, and skills align most closely with the position requirements. All further candidate assessments and final selection are conducted by our human recruitment team. AI does not make any final hiring decisions.

Thank you for your interest in Fidus. We welcome and encourage diverse candidates to apply. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Fidus is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.