FPGA Designer in Ottawa

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.

The FPGA Designer plays a key role in designing and delivering complex FPGA-based systems for Fidus clients. You will work directly with customers and internal Fidus teams to define architectures, implement RTL, integrate IP, run simulations, close timing, and support lab bring-up and debug. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with new FPGA families and tools, is comfortable moving between different application domains (video, communications, storage, signal processing), and takes pride in producing high-quality, well-documented designs.

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 with our clients and other Fidus Employees to develop complex FPGA and/or CPLD based systems, including architecture, custom development, integrated IP, simulations, and timing analysis and closure.
• Design FPGA based systems using Xilinx and Intel based devices and tools.
• Participate in design reviews (hardware-software interface, input-outputs etc.) to ensure Fidus quality standards and customer requirements are being adhered to.
• Perform lab testing, debug of prototypes and supporting hardware/software engineer, as needed.
• Perform customer prototype demonstrations and author test plans, design description and user documentation.
• Provide technical insight to customers during the pre-sales and implementation phase of projects.
• Provide technical support to the Business Manager and Sales team by providing detailed estimates on project scope, schedule, and deliverables and to present the technical aspects of Fidus proposals to the client.

Who You are:

• Minimum 5 years of experience designing using RTL/Verilog/VHDL on FPGAs.
• Experience with video systems and specification standards, video algorithms, and high-speed memory and bus interfaces, communications protocols, and DSP or processor instantiations.
• Created designs using Xilinx or Altera FPGA families and have a solid understanding of tool flow.
• Experience with Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL, Xilinx Vivado, Altera Quartus, and/or ModelSim RTL design and verification including test benches, functional simulations, and timing closure.
• Exhibit strong communication skills, are fluent in English, have great customer interaction presence, and quickly learn new technologies and processes.
• Proven techniques and habits that lead to high quality design.
• Embraces AI as part of a modern engineering toolkit.
• Degree as a B.A.Sc., B.Eng. or equivalent.

Location and travel: Position is based in Canada. Travel may be required domestically and internationally to support customer engagements and project delivery. This position may require access to export-controlled information. Candidates will be required to complete background checks and security screening under Canada's Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and may also be required to obtain a security clearance under the Contract Security Program (CSP) administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC, formerly PWGSC).

This role is an evergreen position. Annual base salary ranges from $125,000 to $160,000. The final offer within this range takes into account the variations in knowledge, skills, experience, and market conditions, and with consideration to internal equity. Our competitive compensation package also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, matching GRSP contributions, annual profit-sharing bonus, along with other supplementary benefits.

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. 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.