About the role
About North Vector Dynamics
North Vector Dynamics is a Canadian defense technology company developing next-generation counter-UAS, short-range air defense, and hypersonic systems. Backed by Defence Research and Development Canada and global industry partners, we are redefining modern air defense with modular, low-cost, and sovereign technologies.
We are seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to adapt and optimize flight control firmware for our proprietary hardware, enabling the development of cutting-edge UAV systems at the core of our defense platforms.
Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada and eligible for registration under the Controlled Goods Program and a federal security clearance.
Key Responsibilities
Firmware Development
- Customize and integrate PX4 firmware for NVD’s proprietary flight controller boards.
- Develop and debug device drivers for sensors, communication modules, and other peripherals.
Optimization & Testing
- Optimize firmware for performance, power efficiency, and memory usage on resource-constrained platforms.
- Conduct unit, integration, and flight testing to ensure stability and reliability.
Hardware Integration
- Collaborate with hardware engineers to bring up new boards, troubleshoot integration issues, and ensure tight coupling between hardware and software.
Feature Implementation
- Design and implement new flight control features and algorithms.
- Validate performance in real-world conditions, including autonomous system behaviors.
Documentation & Process
- Maintain clear, comprehensive documentation of codebases, interfaces, and development processes.
- Contribute to continuous integration pipelines and automated test infrastructure.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
- Proven experience with embedded C/C++ programming.
- Hands-on experience with PX4 or ArduPilot firmware.
- Proficiency with microcontrollers (e.g., STM32, ESP32) and peripherals (I2C, SPI, UART).
- Strong debugging and problem-solving skills, using tools such as JTAG/SWD debuggers, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
- Experience with Git for version control.
- Passion for autonomous systems, drones, and robotics.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS), especially NuttX.
- Knowledge of flight dynamics and control theory.
- Familiarity with schematics and PCB layouts.
- Experience with continuous integration (CI), automated testing, and simulation frameworks (e.g., Gazebo, SITL/HITL).
- Active contributor to open-source flight control projects.
- Comfortable in a startup environment: adaptable, proactive, and collaborative.
Why Join NVD?
- Directly contribute to building Canada’s next generation of air defense and a career-defining network in the defense industry.
- Opportunity to expand into technical leadership as the engineering team scales.
- Collaborate with hardware, autonomy, and systems teams on end-to-end UAV development.
- Join a fast-moving, innovative team anchored in Canadian sovereignty, with global reach and the flexibility of a startup environment.
About North Vector Dynamics
About the role
About North Vector Dynamics
North Vector Dynamics is a Canadian defense technology company developing next-generation counter-UAS, short-range air defense, and hypersonic systems. Backed by Defence Research and Development Canada and global industry partners, we are redefining modern air defense with modular, low-cost, and sovereign technologies.
We are seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to adapt and optimize flight control firmware for our proprietary hardware, enabling the development of cutting-edge UAV systems at the core of our defense platforms.
Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada and eligible for registration under the Controlled Goods Program and a federal security clearance.
Key Responsibilities
Firmware Development
- Customize and integrate PX4 firmware for NVD’s proprietary flight controller boards.
- Develop and debug device drivers for sensors, communication modules, and other peripherals.
Optimization & Testing
- Optimize firmware for performance, power efficiency, and memory usage on resource-constrained platforms.
- Conduct unit, integration, and flight testing to ensure stability and reliability.
Hardware Integration
- Collaborate with hardware engineers to bring up new boards, troubleshoot integration issues, and ensure tight coupling between hardware and software.
Feature Implementation
- Design and implement new flight control features and algorithms.
- Validate performance in real-world conditions, including autonomous system behaviors.
Documentation & Process
- Maintain clear, comprehensive documentation of codebases, interfaces, and development processes.
- Contribute to continuous integration pipelines and automated test infrastructure.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
- Proven experience with embedded C/C++ programming.
- Hands-on experience with PX4 or ArduPilot firmware.
- Proficiency with microcontrollers (e.g., STM32, ESP32) and peripherals (I2C, SPI, UART).
- Strong debugging and problem-solving skills, using tools such as JTAG/SWD debuggers, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
- Experience with Git for version control.
- Passion for autonomous systems, drones, and robotics.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS), especially NuttX.
- Knowledge of flight dynamics and control theory.
- Familiarity with schematics and PCB layouts.
- Experience with continuous integration (CI), automated testing, and simulation frameworks (e.g., Gazebo, SITL/HITL).
- Active contributor to open-source flight control projects.
- Comfortable in a startup environment: adaptable, proactive, and collaborative.
Why Join NVD?
- Directly contribute to building Canada’s next generation of air defense and a career-defining network in the defense industry.
- Opportunity to expand into technical leadership as the engineering team scales.
- Collaborate with hardware, autonomy, and systems teams on end-to-end UAV development.
- Join a fast-moving, innovative team anchored in Canadian sovereignty, with global reach and the flexibility of a startup environment.