Job Description
Q-Block Computing is seeking an Electronics Engineering Technologist to join our growing team in Ottawa, Ontario. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of cutting-edge quantum technologies in sensing, communication, and computation. The candidate will join Q-Block Computing to support the development and validation of a massively scalable, real-time embedded control platform for quantum hardware.
Job Summary
As an Electronics Engineering Technologist on the Quantum Control Firmware team, you will collaborate with other team members and achieve technical milestones under the guidance of the Senior Embedded Software Developer and the Technical Team Lead. Job duties include the setup, configuration, bench testing, and validation of embedded firmware modules and peripheral device interfaces on ARM Cortex-M-based control platforms. This may include applications in quantum sensing, communication, and computation hardware.
Responsibilities
- Configure and bench-test embedded firmware modules for ARM Cortex-M microcontroller platforms within the Arduino/PlatformIO ecosystem per specifications provided by the firmware development team
- Set up and validate peripheral device interfaces for DAC, ADC, DDS, PLL, digital potentiometers, and RF attenuator/amplifier ICs communicating over SPI and LVDS, following interface specifications and datasheets
- Load and execute firmware builds on target hardware; capture and log performance metrics against acceptance criteria defined by the Technical Team Lead
- Execute validation procedures for DMA channel configurations, GPIO management routines, and interrupt-driven I/O timing, and document results
- Assist in bench-level calibration and verification of digital control loop outputs (PI2D, FIR/IIR) per provided test plans
Operate standard laboratory instruments including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers to characterize hardware behaviour - Document test results, setup procedures, and anomalies in engineering logs; report findings to the firmware development team
Assist in identifying hardware or firmware faults through systematic troubleshooting following established diagnostic procedures
Collaborate with cross-functional hardware and quantum systems teams - Contribute to a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the team
Qualification
- Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, or a related field
- 2+ years of hands-on experience in electronics or embedded systems bench work, testing, or hardware bring-up
Skills - Practical experience configuring and testing embedded microcontroller platforms; familiarity with Arduino, Teensy, or PlatformIO environments is an asset
- Ability to read schematics and component datasheets to set up and validate peripheral interfaces
- Hands-on proficiency with laboratory instruments: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, signal generators, and multimeters
- Basic understanding of SPI, I2C, and UART communication protocols
- Ability to follow written test plans, capture data, and produce clear engineering documentation
- Exposure to digital signal processing concepts or control systems is an asset
- Strong attention to detail and a sense of responsibility in all tasks
- Critical thinking and problem-solving mindset
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment
Benefits
- Extended health care benefits (inc. dental and vision)
- Life insurance
Equal Opportunity
Q-Block Computing is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents are strongly encouraged to apply. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply.
Skills Required
- Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, or related field
- 2+ years of hands-on experience in electronics or embedded systems bench work, testing, or hardware bring-up
- Experience configuring and testing embedded microcontroller platforms; familiarity with Arduino, Teensy, or PlatformIO
- Practical experience with laboratory instruments: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, signal generators
- Basic understanding of SPI, I2C, and UART communication protocols
- Ability to follow test plans, capture data, and produce engineering documentation
- Exposure to digital signal processing concepts or control systems
What We Do
We are a quantum computing startup with a long-haul perspective to commercializing quantum information devices. It is of fundamental interest for human kind to explore and manipulate the physical universe, the Hilbert space with quantum information toolboxes. In a future with a universal quantum computer, we will be able to explore the limits of what is computable in the natural world. Can we exploit information processing to make new tools with an inherent advantage? How much does nature permit us in the power of computing? This ignites our curiosity and aspiration as a species to control and understand the universe from the bottom up. At Q-Block Computing Inc., we aspire to create Q-Block modules as the physical layer of a networked quantum architecture for computing, communication, and sensing. By controlling the quantum information stored in individual atoms with individual photons, these platforms can be applied to a wide range of applications spaces for the early adopters for communication and sensing, as well as for the realization of a fault-tolerant distributed quantum computer. With a capital-efficient business model, we will access horizontal markets in communication, defence and commerce. As a vertically integrated quantum startup, our Q-block modules are based upon the unique technological capabilities in precision optical assembly, ultrastable laser systems, quantum metrology, and quantum control of entanglement between light and matter.
