Senior Embedded Systems Architect

About Q-Block Computing

Q-Block Computing is seeking a Senior Embedded Systems Architect to join our innovative team in Canada. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the embedded control platform that drives a new class of advanced hardware systems. The candidate will serve as a senior technical leader defining software architecture, subsystem interfaces, and engineering standards for scalable real-time control platforms.

Job Summary

As a Senior Embedded Systems Architect, you will lead the architectural design and technical direction of Q-Block Computing's embedded control platform in close collaboration with the Technical Lead and senior leadership. Job duties include defining platform architecture, establishing interface specifications between control subsystems, evaluating technology trade-offs, and mentoring a growing team of engineers and technologists.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the firmware and embedded systems architecture for a distributed, real-time control platform.
• Establish subsystem interface specifications, communication protocols, and data pipeline architectures that enable deterministic, low-latency coordination across control units.
• Evaluate and select microcontroller families, peripheral ICs, bus architectures, and real-time scheduling strategies based on system-level performance, scalability, and reliability requirements.
• Design reusable firmware libraries, hardware abstraction layers, and board support packages that decouple application logic from hardware specifics.
• Architect synchronization and timing distribution subsystems to support coherent multi-unit operation.
• Lead firmware design reviews and establish coding standards, testing frameworks, and development workflows for the embedded team.
• Collaborate with hardware, systems, and infrastructure teams to translate system-level requirements into embedded design specifications.
• Mentor and develop Embedded Firmware Engineers and related technical staff; conduct code reviews and guide architectural decisions.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks; lead root-cause analysis for system-level failures.
• Contribute to technical proposals, technical documentation, and IP capture processes as appropriate.
• Stay current on emerging embedded architectures, real-time operating systems, and mixed-signal control techniques.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 8+ years of professional experience in embedded systems design, with at least 3 years in a system architecture or technical leadership role.

Security and Compliance Requirements

• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain Government of Canada security clearance, if required for assigned projects.
• Must be eligible to comply with requirements of the Controlled Goods Program, if required for assigned projects.
• Must be willing to participate in background screening, documentation, and compliance processes associated with security-sensitive work.
• Ability to work effectively within security, export-control, and compliance-sensitive technical environments is an asset.

Skills

• Expert-level C/C++ for embedded systems; proven track record architecting multi-module firmware platforms.
• Deep knowledge of ARM Cortex-M architecture, DMA subsystems, memory-mapped I/O, and real-time scheduling.
• Strong experience designing hardware abstraction layers and reusable driver frameworks across multiple IC families.
• Experience with precision timing, synchronization architectures, or related systems is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with mixed-signal systems, including ADC/DAC integration and timing-sensitive control paths.
• Experience leading or mentoring teams of embedded engineers.
• Exposure to FPGA-based co-processing, high-speed serial interfaces, or hardware-in-the-loop testing is an asset.
• Experience in scientific, defense, or deep-tech hardware organizations is strongly preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, authenticity, and a sense of responsibility in all tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to produce clear architecture documents and specifications.
• Critical thinking and strategic problem-solving mindset.

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.