Job Description
Q-Block Computing is seeking a Senior Embedded Software Developer 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 serve as the lead firmware developer on the Qubit Composer platform team, delivering complex subsystems and coordinating the day-to-day development work of the embedded software team under the guidance of the Technical Team Lead.
Job Summary
As a Senior Embedded Software Developer on the Quantum Control Firmware team, you will collaborate with other team members and achieve technical milestones under the guidance of the Technical Team Lead. Job duties include the design, architecture, and implementation of firmware libraries and embedded control subsystems for ARM Cortex-M-based platforms. This may include applications such as real-time multi-unit synchronization, deterministic waveform generation, and high-throughput data pipelines for quantum sensing, communication, and computation hardware.
Responsibilities
- Design, architect, and implement reusable firmware libraries and embedded control subsystems in C/C++ for ARM Cortex-M platforms within the Arduino/PlatformIO ecosystem
- Analyze system-level requirements and recommend architectural approaches for new firmware features and subsystem modifications
- Develop and validate DMA-based parallel data transfer subsystems and synchronous multi-pin I/O operations for deterministic, low-latency hardware control
- Implement and test high-speed peripheral control for DAC, ADC, DDS, PLL, digital potentiometers, and RF attenuator/amplifier ICs communicating over SPI and LVDS
- Design and implement digital control loop modules (PI2D, FIR/IIR filters) for precision analog output stabilization
- Coordinate task execution and review the code, test results, and documentation of Electronics Engineering Technologists and other developers on the team
- Conduct system-level integration testing across multiple interconnected control units; design test strategies and document integration procedures and failure modes
- Set up and maintain firmware build environments, toolchains (PlatformIO, Make), and Git workflows for the team
- Write documentation for new and updated firmware subsystems
- Collaborate with cross-functional hardware and quantum systems teams
- Contribute to a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the team
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
- 5+ years of professional experience in embedded software development with ARM Cortex-M or comparable architectures
Skills
- Strong C/C++ proficiency; demonstrated experience designing reusable embedded libraries or firmware architectures
- Deep understanding of DMA configuration, memory-mapped I/O, and real-time scheduling on ARM microcontrollers
- Experience with high-speed SPI, multi-IC board-level integration, and mixed-signal debugging
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate and review the technical work of other developers
- Experience with NXP i.MX RT series, Teensy, or PlatformIO platforms is an asset
- Exposure to digital control theory (PID, IIR/FIR), precision timing systems, or clock synchronization is an asset
- Good laboratory knowledge with electronic circuits and standard instruments such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and signal generators
- 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
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
- 5+ years of professional experience in embedded software development with ARM Cortex-M or comparable architectures
- Strong C/C++ proficiency
- Experience with high-speed SPI and mixed-signal debugging
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.
