Firmware Engineer

About RBR

Since 1973, RBR has been designing and manufacturing oceanographic instruments in Ottawa, Ontario to measure our blue planet. The effects of climate change are being seen from the ocean’s abyss to the polar ice caps and our sensors quantify this change to support better analysis, improved planning, and more effective mitigation strategies. Our instruments measure water parameters in some of the harshest environments on the planet! They are mounted on underwater drones, dropped out of planes, and sent to the bottom of the ocean – sometimes for years at a time – all in an effort to get precise and accurate data to support climate research! We have been fortunate to be able to partner with some of the world's leaders in the field of ocean science, like Fisheries and Oceans Canada, The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, The Norwegian Polar Institute, and The British Antarctic Survey, just to name a few!

At RBR, our people care about the environment, our community, their work, and - of course - each other! We value curiosity, experimentation, and doing the right thing, and while we do some serious work to support world-changing science, we don’t take ourselves too seriously – we like to let our hair down and cut loose too!

About the role

Join our talented R&D team as a Firmware Engineer and help shape the future of oceanographic research! At RBR, you'll collaborate with experts across firmware, systems, electronics, mechanical, software, and sensor engineering—all while contributing to cutting-edge oceanographic instruments. We're looking for a versatile problem solver who takes ownership, delivers top-notch firmware, and thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment. If you love learning, exploring new technologies, and creating tools that empower oceanographers worldwide, we want to hear from you!

What you'll do

• Design and develop embedded firmware applications, contributing to architecture and implementation

• Implement and uphold best practices in software development methodologies

• Implement and maintain software versioning and revision control

• Evaluate and balance trade-offs in system design to meet diverse requirements

• Take ownership of your projects from concept to deployment, ensuring they stay on schedule

• Translate design specifications into system designs and implementations, participating actively in design and code reviews

• Share your expertise to enhance software architecture and feature design

• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to translate requirements into working designs

• Contribute to the conceptual development of innovative products and projects

• Stay up-to-date on industry developments in software engineering technologies, processes, and disciplines

What you bring

• A Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or an equivalent field

• Preferred 5+ years of firmware development experience, with strong proficiency in:

  • Programming skills in both C and C++

  • Working with low-power microcontrollers (STM32/ARM preferred)

  • Embedded Real-Time Operating Systems (Zephyr is a plus)

  • Troubleshooting and debugging using JTAG tools, IDE, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes

  • Communication protocols such as RS232, SPI, I2C, I3C, USB, and Bluetooth

  • Embedded systems test methodologies, continuous integration, and modern git workflow principles

  • Reading and annotating electronic schematics, including digital, mixed-signal, and analog devices

• Experience with Linux terminals

• Experience working in an Agile development process; familiarity with Jira/Confluence tools would be an asset

• Strong organizational skills and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team

• Adaptability to work in an interrupt-driven environment, managing multiple projects, and shifting priorities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Nice to have

• Some knowledge of Bash and Python scripting

• Familiarity with containerized development environments

• Experience with Hardware-in-the-loop testing

• Interest in, and knowledge of new and developing embedded technologies (platforms, languages)

• Knows which end of a soldering iron is the hot one:)

• Can wield a screwdriver

Current perks at RBR

🌴 20 days of vacation, plus a company-wide holiday shutdown and paid sick days

⏰ Work from wherever Wednesdays (most roles eligible)

🩺 Benefits from day 1 & RRSP contribution matching

💰 Company-wide bonus program

🏋🏽 Annual fitness reimbursement program

🚴 Greener commuting incentive program (bike-to-work, carpool, or transit passes)

🚗 EV reimbursement program + on-site charging stations

💝 Charitable donation matching

🌮 Monthly Friday lunches (on us)!

At RBR, we celebrate and support diversity in our workplace, we are an equal-opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We seek to recruit the best and most talented people for the job. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.