Senior Systems Architect/Embedded Firmware Lead

Date: 21 Aug 2026

Location: ON, CA

Company: Calian

Ottawa, ON | On-site 

 

Position Overview 
 
 
We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated embedded code developer and system architect to join our embedded design team in Ottawa.  This candidate will have the primary task of guiding embedded system projects though architecture planning and resource allocation.  The candidate must also be adept with the embedded C coding environment and lead the resolution of complex challenges within the various programs.  This will be an active role which will require innovation and close attention to detail. The candidate will have the opportunity to acquire new skills while engaging in core product application design.  A candidate with electronic hardware design understanding would be a significant asset. 

Using a variety of software development tools suites, the candidate will be expected to architect and develop new capabilities on embedded system platforms.  The candidate will also need to mentor and assign tasks to the developer team as well as support overall product test systems and customer configuration tool suites.     

 

 

Responsibilities 
 
 
System Architecture & Embedded Development 

  • Lead the architecture, design, and development of complex embedded systems and firmware solutions from concept through product release. 

  • Define system-level requirements, architecture frameworks, and technical roadmaps for multiple product programs. 

  • Establish hardware/software partitioning strategies and overall system design approaches to ensure performance, reliability, and scalability. 

  • Review and approve technical designs, architecture decisions, and code implementation strategies. 

  • Evaluate emerging technologies, tools, and methodologies to improve product capability and development efficiency. 

 

Customer & Business Engagement 

  • Act as the primary technical interface with customers, partners, suppliers, and key stakeholders. 

  • Lead technical discussions, architecture workshops, design reviews, and customer demonstrations. 

  • Support business development activities through technical proposals, solution development, cost estimation, and technology strategy. 

  • Provide technical leadership during proposal development and contribute to strategic growth initiatives. 

  • Translate complex customer requirements into practical and scalable system solutions. 

 

Technical Leadership & Mentorship 

  • Serve as the principal technical authority for embedded systems and firmware development activities. 

  • Provide technical leadership and guidance to systems engineers, hardware designers, firmware developers, and software engineers. 

  • Mentor senior engineers and technical leads, fostering growth in architecture, systems thinking, and engineering best practices. 

  • Support recruitment, technical assessments, career development, and succession planning for engineering staff. 

  • Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, collaboration, and engineering excellence. 

 

Qualifications 
 
 

  • Expert with Embedded C code development and coding practices. 

  • Proficient with embedded software development tools.   

    • ie: Microchip MPLab and Atmel Studio   

  • Development experience with FreeRTOS or similar.  

  • Ability to read electronic schematics and component data sheets. 

  • Experience with JavaScript/PYTHON applications considered an asset. 

  • Experience with Embedded Linux (Yocto) considered an asset. 

  • Strong problem-solving skills 

  • Able to Sense the importance/impact of issues and takes appropriate actions 

  • Able to self-manage tasks and responsibilities of a team 

  • The ability to architect a project from start to finish. 

  • A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering or equivalent computer science 

  • 10+ years of software coding/design engineering experience 

  • 3+ years’ experience as a project architect and team lead 

 

Compensation 
 

$120,000 - $160,000 

 

Vacancy 
 
We have 1 available position(s). 

 

 

Job Title: Senior Systems Architect/Embedded Firmware Lead 

Requisition Number: 2575 

Date: August 21, 2026 

Location 1: Ottawa, ON 

Remote: No 

Business Unit: Defence and Space 

Department: GNSS 

Job Type: Full-time 

#LI-MT1# 

#SF#