Solutions Architect, Systems Engineer

Fidus Systems; Ottawa, Kitchener; On-site; CAD 182,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental plan

Vision plan

401(k) matching

Profit-sharing bonus

Job summary

Fidus Systems is seeking a Solutions Architect, Systems Engineer to define client requirements and architect high-speed electronic system solutions. You will develop plans, assess risks, and estimate work to deliver complete client solutions across hardware, FPGA, and embedded software domains.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams across Communications, Aerospace & Defence, Life Sciences & Medical Devices, Space, Industrial Automation, Automotive, and Semiconductor engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or Computer Science or equivalent.
• At least 10 years of detailed design experience in hardware, software, or FPGA.
• At least 5 years in system-level architecture design across multiple disciplines.
• Ability to partition a system across FPGA, embedded software, hardware, and mechanical/thermal domains.
• Experience developing system requirements, interface specs, and performance budgets.

Responsibilities

• Interact with clients to gather and define requirements.
• Architect a client solution that meets needs.
• Develop plan, identify risks, and estimate work to deliver a solution.
• Write technical content for proposals.
• Present resource capabilities and work approach.
• Evaluate solutions and partition programs into logical segments.
• Undertake project work and assist in identifying new products and investments.

Skills

System architecture

FPGA design

Embedded software

Hardware design

Power/thermal budgets

Signal integrity

PCIe SerDes

Requirement specs

Proposal writing

Education

B.Sc. Electrical Engineering

B.Sc. Computer Engineering

B.Sc. Computer Science

Tools

PCB layout

FPGA tools

Verilog/VHDL

ModelSim

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, Systems Engineer 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;
• At least ten (10) years of detailed design experience in one or more of Hardware, Software, or FPGA;
• At least five (5) years in system-level architecture design, which requires a good understanding of all design disciplines to enable decisions based on performance, cost, and trade-offs;
• Proven ability to partition a system across FPGA, embedded software, hardware, and mechanical/thermal domains, and to define the interfaces between them;
• Experience developing system requirements, interface specifications, and performance budgets covering power, thermal, latency, and bandwidth;
• A working knowledge of high-speed interfaces such as PCIe, Ethernet, DDR memory, and SerDes, including their signal and power integrity implications;
• Familiarity with component selection, design for manufacture and test, and the cost, supply, and compliance tradeoffs that shape a system architecture;
• In-lab experience with system bring-up, integration, and debug;
• 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.

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.