SYSTEM ARCHITECT

Location: Waterloo, Ontario

Position Vacancy Type: New Headcount 

Compensation Range: $100,000.00 – $120,000.00 per year.

AT NDI, THE WORK YOU DO HERE MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

Every day, we help shape the future of healthcare. We design and build 3D tracking systems that equip medical devices with advanced spatial navigation technology, delivering greater accuracy, performance, and confidence in procedures where precision is critical. Since 1981, we’ve partnered with leading OEMs and research institutes to push the boundaries of surgical navigation. Our optical and electromagnetic technologies are trusted in procedures ranging from orthopaedics and spine surgery to cardiac interventions and radiation therapy.

Whether you're designing systems, supporting customers, or enabling the teams behind them, your work matters. It brings clarity to healthcare and helps improve outcomes for patients around the world.

THE IMPACT YOU’LL MAKE:  

Our systems architecture team is responsible for the design and performance of NDI’s current and upcoming optical tracking systems and consumable medical devices. As a System Architect, you will tackle complex technical challenges by applying best practices from system engineering. System Architects transform user and stakeholder needs into actionable system requirements, making critical design decisions, managing technical uncertainties, and contributing to the development of our advanced spatial measurement systems. In this role, you will have a direct impact on NDI’s mission, to deliver precise navigation to improve patients’ lives.

HOW YOU’LL CONTRIBUTE:  

Technical Leadership

• Act as the principal technical voice on projects by driving technical decisions with clarity and sound judgement.
• Resolve technical conflicts by owning technical decisions and the outcomes.
• Support project planning and execution in conjunction with Project and Product Management.

Meet User Needs

• Collaborate with product managers to iterate on the product vision and ensure user needs are met by translating user stories, workflows, and product direction into clear technical requirements for feasible system concepts. System Architects apply understanding of NDI’s optical tracking system use cases to create viable system concepts that solve real customer problems.

System Architecture

• Develop system block diagrams and architecture documentation. Build and communicate knowledge of architectural trade-offs in optical tracking system design.

Cohesive Technical Documentation and Communication

• Develop cohesive technical documentation in accordance with NDI’s design control process (system architecture, requirements, risk management). Support the creation of customer-facing communications such as technical whitepapers and user guides.

Prototype, Experiment, and Learn

• Create prototypes, conduct data analysis, and run quick experiments to test system performance and concept feasibility. Scope out research and exploratory work, coordinating and delegating with other disciplines. Communicate and contribute to findings to R&D knowledge bases.

Be the Technical Voice

• Liaise with customers and customer-facing teams, and advocate for your ideas internally with clarity and vision.

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree in Physical Science, Mathematics, Engineering or related disciplines, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of relevant work experience in technology related to design of complex systems, medical device development, metrology, mechanical design engineering, or high-volume medical manufacturing.

 ADDITIONAL STRENGTHS:

• Familiarity with spatial measurement principles.
• Familiarity with medical product development including quality management systems, risk management, and useability engineering.
• Understanding of optics with experience designing cameras and/or projectors.
• Practical knowledge of statistics.
• Hardware design experience and knowledge of hardware product lifecycle.
• Programming knowledge and understanding of the software product lifecycle.
• Prior experience using mechanical, optical, and/or magnetic tracking systems and/or machine vision.
• Strong analytical thinker, data-driven decision maker, and persistent problem solver.
• Effective communicator, highly organized, collaborative, team-oriented, and eager to learn.

THE BENEFITS OF JOINING OUR TEAM

• Competitive pay with a 4% RRSP match to help you plan for the future.
• A comprehensive benefits package that supports your health and well-being.
• Company-wide bonus program and regular salary reviews.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan offering discounted company shares to help you invest in and benefit from our growth.
• A 37.5-hour work week with a flexible work model available where responsibilities allow.
• Three weeks of vacation start, plus a paid holiday shutdown in December to recharge before the New Year!
• A calendar full of employee social events and engagement activities to keep us connected.
• Professional and personal development support designed to foster your continuous growth and career advancement.
• Work where your contributions are valued — as a multi-year winner of Waterloo Region’s Top Employers and the 2025 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year, we’re recognized for putting people first and fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
• Part of a growing global company with offices in Waterloo, Vermont, Germany, and Hong Kong.
• Conveniently located near GRT and ION transit stops, with free on-site parking available.

If you’re looking to join a collaborative and curious team—guided by integrity, bold thinking, and a commitment to doing things right—this could be the team for you. We believe in supporting one another and working together to find creative solutions. You’ll be surrounded by people who are passionate about what they do and driven by work that truly makes a difference. If this sounds like the right fit for you, we invite you to apply online and introduce yourself.

We thank all candidates for their interest in joining NDI; however, only candidates invited for an interview will be contacted. Agency calls will not be accepted. For more information about NDI and this position, please visit our website: www.ndigital.com [http://www.ndigital.com].