Principal Firmware Engineer

Ottawa, ON
Hybrid
Posted Oct 9, 2026
1 position

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Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Lead · 15+ years
Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job summary

Lead the design, implementation, testing, and delivery of firmware for pluggable optical modules, collaborating with hardware, ASIC, and software teams to integrate systems and optimize performance. Contribute to Agile development and continuous improvement, and mentor junior engineers.

Job details

In this role as a Principal Firmware Engineer, you will work within a dynamic Agile scrum team dedicated to innovation in optical systems. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware and software professionals, to design and implement cutting-edge firmware for next-gen optical modules. You'll enjoy a culture of continuous improvement, where your expertise will drive the growth and success of junior engineers and the collective team. We offer a competitive salary and performance bonuses, comprehensive health benefits, and opportunities for professional development. Your contributions will directly impact Nokia’s mission of connecting the world, while you engage in challenging projects that push the boundaries of technology in a supportive and collaborative environment. RESPONSIBILITIES Lead design, implementation, testing, and delivery of firmware features for pluggable modules. * Develop and maintain high-performance embedded firmware using C/C++ and Python. * Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define firmware requirements and system architecture. * Analyze system performance and identify enhancement opportunities using cutting-edge technologies. * Engage in Agile/Scrum development processes, serving as Product Owner or technical lead when necessary. * Mentor junior engineers, fostering a collaborative team culture focused on growth. * Contribute to continuous improvement of development tools, workflows, and coding standards. * Partner with hardware, ASIC, and software teams for seamless integration and performance optimization. QUALIFICATIONS Must-Have: * 15+ years of experience in embedded firmware development. * Proficiency in C/C++ and scripting skills in Python. * Solid understanding of ARM architecture and embedded operating systems. * Proven experience leading teams or projects in an Agile/Scrum environment. * Excellent debugging, problem-solving, and communication skills. Nice-To-Have: * Experience with advanced pluggable transceivers (e.g., 400ZR, 800ZR, 1600ZR). * Familiarity with stateful protocol design and management network architecture. * Knowledge of low-level hardware interfaces and peripheral drivers.

What you’ll do

Requirements

Requires 15 or more years of embedded firmware development experience, proficiency in C/C++ and Python, and a solid understanding of ARM architecture and embedded operating systems. Candidates must have experience leading teams or projects in Agile/Scrum environments, along with strong debugging, problem-solving, and communication skills.